Welcome to the United Nations
As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights this year, it is important to recall the important connection between inclusive development and human rights, and that people living in poverty are affected by many human rights violations.
The persistence of poverty, including extreme poverty, is a major concern for the United Nations and, at its 72nd session, the General Assembly launched the Third United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018–2027), under the theme “Accelerating global actions for a world without poverty”. It is important that the Third Decade’s inter-agency, system-wide plan of action to coordinate the poverty eradication efforts of the United Nations system includes an effective partnership with people living with poverty.
To show solidarity with people living in poverty, the United Nations will commemorate the 2018 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty at UN Headquarters in New York on 17 October. The Day reminds us that we need to include people living in poverty as partners in building inclusive societies for all, and that we need to come together to promote the values of solidarity and their concerns.
The commemoration event will be organized in partnership with the International Movement ATD Fourth World, the NGO Sub-committee for the Eradication of Poverty and UN DESA, supported by the Missions of France and Burkina Faso to the United Nations.
Towards building inclusive societies for all
Joseph Wresinski was one of the first persons to highlight this direct link between human rights and extreme poverty. In February 1987, he appealed to the Human Rights Commission to examine the question of extreme poverty and human rights and eloquently captured the nexus between human rights and extreme poverty with his profound observation: “Wherever men and women are condemned to live in extreme poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty.”
The 2018 theme, “Coming together with those furthest behind to build an inclusive world of universal respect for human rights and dignity” reminds us of the importance of the values of dignity and solidarity, as well as the call to action to end poverty everywhere.
Join the #EndPoverty global campaign
Everyone can join the campaign on social media by using hashtag #EndPoverty and promoting the call to action to connect with people from around the world who have joined the fight to overcome poverty.
In addition to the commemorative event to be held in New York on 17 October, commemorations of the international day are being organized worldwide. The online community is asked to use #EndPoverty to share messages about the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty via social media.
For more information:
2018 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
UN DPI’s website on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Source: UNDESA Voice
