Dignity for all in practice

Both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the World Summit for Social Development are committed to seeking lasting solutions to eradicating poverty, creating full employment and decent work for all, and building more inclusive societies.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty and the 30th anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This Day honors the millions of people suffering from poverty and their daily courage and recognizes the essential global solidarity and shared responsibility we hold to eradicate poverty and combat all forms of discrimination.

This year’s theme – Dignity for all in practice – highlights a critical aspect of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It reminds us that we need to ensure equal opportunities to all. We need to draw attention to situations that affect access to opportunity, namely age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion and economic or other status.

An estimated 1.3 billion people live in multidimensional poverty. They face income and food insecurity and are disproportionately found in the informal economy. They have fewer chances to benefit from quality education and healthcare as well as adequate social protection.

Inequality still persists, and the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed more people into poverty in 2021. The need to ensure equality and address all the global goals has never been clearer. This means creating decent jobs, increasing investments in quality and accessible education and health, harnessing innovation and technology, investing in agriculture and rural development, building infrastructure and promoting greater social protection systems. In an increasingly globalized and inter-connected world, we must also ensure that the benefits of globalization are shared by all and that we effectively respond to the ongoing threats posed by climate change.

On 17 October, an online global commemoration event will feature testimonies from those living in poverty, as well as messages from the UN Secretary-General and other international actors. These will show that “Dignity” is not an abstract concept: it belongs to each and every one. The solutions are therefore closely linked, and their implementation requires the mobilization of all sectors of society.

Join the discussion and show your solidarity to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure all people everywhere enjoy dignity and prosperity. For more information about the Day, please visit this page and follow and engage with @UNDESA, @UNDESASocial on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by using #EndPoverty.