The history of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is inextricably linked with the date October 17, 1987. On that day, more than one hundred thousand people gathered in Piazza Trocadero in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, to pay tribute to the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger.
Those gathered stated that poverty is a violation of human rights and reaffirmed the need to work together to ensure respect for these rights. The corresponding statements are inscribed on the Commemorative Stone, which was unveiled that day.
Since then, people of all classes, beliefs and social backgrounds have gathered annually on October 17 to reaffirm their unchanged position and demonstrate solidarity with the poor. The same memorial stones have been unveiled in many countries around the world, and they are a gathering place for the Day. One such stone is located in the garden of United Nations Headquarters, and it is near it that a solemn ceremony is held, organized annually by the United Nations Secretariat in New York.
In 1992, by its resolution (A/RES/47/196), the UN General Assembly declared October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and called on all states to devote this Day to carrying out and promoting, depending on the specifics of the country, specific activities related to the eradication of poverty and poverty. And the purpose of this Day is to raise awareness of the need to fight for the eradication of poverty and poverty in all countries.
In a world with such a developed economy, technology and financial resources, it is unacceptable that millions of people live in extreme poverty. Poverty — is not just an economic problem, it is depriving people of the opportunity to lead a decent life and exercise their rights, including safe working and living conditions, adequate healthy food, access to justice and health care, etc.
According to the UN, 736 million people live below the poverty line, that is, on $1.90. US per day, and by 2030, 7% of the world's population, or 575 million people, may find themselves in extreme poverty.
The COVID-19 pandemic that swept the world in 2020 has seen decades of progress in the fight against poverty and extreme poverty reversed. According to the World Bank, the crisis has left approximately 150 million people in poverty, most of them living in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where poverty levels are already high. These new poor have added to the ranks of the 1.3 billion people already living in multidimensional and persistent poverty whose pre-existing problems have worsened during the pandemic. In fact, measures taken to limit the spread of the pandemic have often driven them further into poverty — informal economies that allow many people living in poverty to survive have barely functioned in many countries.
Day October 17 — is the day when the world can actively draw attention to the hardships and disasters of people living in poverty (Photo: Polryaz, licensed from Shutterstock.com)
In the resolution, the Assembly called upon intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to assist States, upon request, in organizing national events in connection with the Day and requested the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures, within existing resources, to ensure the successful observance of the Day by the United Nations.
October 17 — is a day when the world can actively draw attention to the hardships and disasters of people living in poverty, when they can publicly voice their problems, and when it can be recognized that the poor have a major role to play in the fight against poverty. From the very beginning of the Day, its most important component was the participation of representatives of the poor themselves. The observance of the Day on October 17 also demonstrates the desire of people living in poverty to use their experience and knowledge to contribute to the eradication of poverty.
Moreover, every year the events held within the framework of the Day are dedicated to a specific topic, among which in different years were: «With common efforts to end poverty», «Human rights and dignity of people living in poverty», «Children and families oppose poverty», «From poverty to decent work: bridging the gap», «Leaving no one behind: think, decide and act together against extreme poverty», «Building a sustainable future: work together to end poverty and discrimination», «Walk together to achieve social and environmental justice for all people», «Dignity for all in practice», etc.