17 October 2016: The UN commemorated the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty with a focus on the theme, ‘Moving from humiliation and exclusion to participation: Ending poverty in all its forms.’ Speakers highlighted the multiple dimensions of poverty, and underscored the importance of ending poverty as critical in achieving all other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development acknowledges that poverty has multiple forms and dimensions, and SDG 1 calls to ‘End poverty in all its forms everywhere.’ According to the UN, 1 billion people live in extreme poverty, over 800 million face hunger and malnutrition, 2.4 billion lack access to improved sanitation, 1.1 billion people have no access to electricity, and 880 live in urban slums, with many others facing restricted access to health, education and other essential services and abuse or denial of fundamental human rights.
The UN further highlights the economic and social costs and consequences of exclusion, explaining that people who lack access to education, land or labor markets are unable to fully contribute to the economy or society. Official messages elaborate on the political costs of exclusion, illustrating how exclusion can feed social tensions and contribute to violent conflicts.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on all governments and societies to address systemic socio-economic inequalities and facilitate the engagement of all people living in extreme poverty so they can “help themselves, their families and their communities to build a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous future for all.” His message urged breaking down “the walls of poverty and exclusion,” building inclusive societies, and “ensuring the voices of all those living in poverty are heard.”
Wu Hongbo, head of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), called for changing “the course of human development from one characterized by exclusion, inequalities, conflict, and unsustainable patterns of consumption and production, to one that is more inclusive, equitable and sustainable.” UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova stressed the importance of tackling inequality and ensuring political determination, supported by solid knowledge about the causes, consequences and mechanisms of poverty, to achieve SDG 1. Ending poverty is not just helping the poor but also allowing everyone an opportunity to live with dignity, she said.
The UN organized an event to mark the International Day (IDEP) at UN Headquarters in New York, US, in partnership with the International Movement ATD Fourth World, the NGO Committee for Social Development and DESA, with support from the Permanent Missions of Burkina Faso and France.
Celebrations to commemorate the Day also took place around the world. Norwood, Australia, held an Anti-Poverty Week organized by poor people that explored the struggles of low-income people. In Budapest, Hungary, the country raised awareness on the possibility of an Adequate Guaranteed Minimum Income System. In Manila, Philippines, participants held workshops and presented a play on the Day’s theme. Young Zambians in Lusaka working on poverty and development issues shared their experiences with poverty and how they have been humiliated and excluded from their communities.
The UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) Second Committee (Economic and Financial) held its annual discussion on poverty eradication, also on 17 October. Speakers shared national and regional progress towards eradicating poverty, but said climate change, technology gaps and other challenges continue to hinder development. Bangladesh, for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), said inclusive growth and development are critical in eradicating poverty. He further identified the importance of enhancing production and boosting trade and foreign direct investment (FDI), among other contributions, to ending poverty. Speakers supported: technology transfer (Dominican Republic, for the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC)); inclusion of vulnerable groups, particularly indigenous peoples, women, the elderly, persons with disabilities and migrants; and considering the special needs of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and middle-income countries (MICs). [UN Press Release] [UNRIC Press Release] [Second Committee Meeting Summary] [UN Secretary-General Statement] [IDEP Website] [DESA Webpage on IDEP] [UN Poverty Website] [World Map of Events]