This year’s event is organized in partnership with the International Movement ATD Fourth World, the NGO Sub-committee for the Eradication of Poverty and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, supported by the Missions of France and Burkina Faso to the United Nations.
The 2014 theme recognises and underscores the demanding challenge of identifying and securing the participation of those experiencing extreme poverty and social exclusion in the “Post-2015 Development Agenda” that will replace the Millennium Development Goals.
The call to “Leave no one behind” points to the urgent need to eliminate discrimination, marginalisation and exclusion based on poverty, ethnic origin, gender, age, disability or economic and social status. It will require concerted action to actively reach out to the most impoverished and excluded groups in our societies. At the core of such action must be the alignment of development policies and targets, and their implementation, with human rights norms and standards, in keeping with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights .
The call “To think, decide and act together against extreme poverty” highlights the need to include people living in poverty as partners in building our understanding and knowledge of more sustainable forms of development. Local, national and international institutions must create genuine participatory mechanisms, with accountability and grievance mechanisms at all levels, while working as partners with communities to strengthen their own support organisations.
In particular, this call requires that we promote and support an economy that is inclusive, equitable and sustainable. That is, an economy that protects the environment, fosters the creation of full employment and decent work opportunities for all, and ensures high quality education and healthcare with improved results for all, including people living in extreme poverty.
Ultimately, the success of the “Post-2015 Development Agenda” will depend on the full and meaningful participation of all people, actively supported by increased commitments at the political, economic, social and cultural levels in all countries.
In addition to the Commemoration in New York, celebrations of this International Day are being organized worldwide. Through resolutionA/RES/47/196 adopted on 22 December 1992, the General Assembly invited all States to devote the Day to presenting and promoting concrete activities with regard to the eradication of poverty and destitution.
Also in commemoration of the international day, a ten-part exhibition of collective artwork by people living in poverty will be featured at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Each collection shows how the human act of creation—whether by rousing strength and hope, or bestowing a peaceful calm–helps people to hold their heads high, to come together in dignity, and to leave no one behind. The exhibition, entitled “Leave No One Behind”, will be held from 13 to 17 October in the 1B Corridor to the Vienna Cafe.
The International Charter for October 17 (English / French) provides guiding principles for the organization of commemorations to mark the International Day.
Help the United Nations to raise awareness about the progress made and the challenges that remain in the fight against poverty. Use #EndPoverty to post your messages about the Millennium Development Goals and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
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