There is growing consensus among the international community that poverty poses a major challenge to global economic stability. Upon the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Member States committed to end poverty in all its forms and promote shared prosperity by 2030. To renew commitments and show solidarity, the United Nations will commemorate the 2017 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty at UN Headquarters in New York on 17 October.

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. Furthermore, an online exhibition of collective artwork by children will be featured on the official website of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

A path towards peaceful and inclusive societies

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Call to Action by Father Joseph Wresinski – which inspired the observance of 17 October as the World Day to Overcoming Extreme Poverty – and the recognition by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992 of the day, as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, all Member States are invited to presenting and promoting concrete activities regarding the eradication of poverty and destitution.

The 2017 theme, “Answering the Call of October 17 to end poverty: A path towards peaceful and inclusive societies” 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 Stop Poverty global campaign

The Stop Poverty campaign is inspired by a vision that negative stories and images about poverty can change, that extreme poverty is not inevitable, and that the violence which it represents can and must be eliminated.

Everyone can join the campaign by visiting: poverty-stop.org and signing the call to action to join your name to the mosaic of people from around the world who have joined the fight to overcome poverty. You can submit your own story of change, organize a concert, or find out about events in your area.

In addition to the commemorative event to be held in New York on 17 October, celebrations 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.