The UN marked the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October 2014.
UN Secretary-General issued a message highlighting the poor and vulnerable as "indispensable partners” in creating a world of dignity, opportunity and well-being, where no one is left behind, as “their knowledge and perspectives are vital in finding meaningful, durable solutions."
17 October 2014: The UN marked the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October 2014. UN Secretary-General issued a message highlighting the poor and vulnerable as “indispensable partners” in creating a world of dignity, opportunity and well-being, where no one is left behind, as “their knowledge and perspectives are vital in finding meaningful, durable solutions.”
Ban also noted that the strong impact of entrenched poverty remains constant due to the after-effects of the 2008 financial crisis, and one of five persons in developing regions still lives on less than US$1.25 a day. He further drew attention to the exclusion of women and girls from opportunities of self-development, which isolates them and their families in pockets of poverty.
The International Movement ATD Fourth World, the NGO Sub-committee for the Eradication of Poverty and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), organized a panel discussion to commemorate the Day, titled ‘Leave No One Behind: Women Poverty and Participation,’ with support from the Permanent Missions of Burkina Faso and France. An art exhibition gave voice to people living in poverty through their artwork.
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been celebrated since 1993, when the UN General Assembly (UNGA), by resolution 47/196, designated it to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries. This year’s theme, ‘Leave no one behind,’ underscores the need to eliminate discrimination, marginalization and exclusion based on poverty, ethnic origin, gender, age, disability or economic and social status, which requires the alignment of development policies and targets and their implementation with human rights norms and standards, in keeping with the UN Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, notes DESA.
Fighting poverty is at the core of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which will expire in December 2015. [Statement of UN Secretary-General] [DESA Press Release] [UN Press Release]