Pope backs International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

(Vatican Radio) During his general audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis reminded us of the United Nation’s forthcoming International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to be celebrated on Saturday October 17th. The Holy Father underlined the importance of the day, most notably its aim to encourage the international community to “eliminate extreme poverty and discrimination”, and to ensure that all global citizens are able to “fully exercise their fundamental rights”.

This year’s observance is particularly significant as it follows the recent adoption of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Agenda, entitled ‘Transforming our world’, lists 17 new goals which aim to eradicate poverty throughout the world.

Neva Frecheville is the Lead Analyst on Post-2015 at CAFOD, the Catholic Agency For Overseas Development. She attended the opening of the UN Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda and was on hand as Pope Francis addressed members of the UN General Assembly in New York. She tells Bramble Badenach-Nicolson just how much it means to have the Pope’s support, especially during this critical stage in the migrant crisis.

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The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been observed since 1993, when the UN General Assembly chose this day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate global poverty.