Wednesday 16 October 2013

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2013, October 17

 

United Nations Secretary-General's Message for International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2013

This year’s observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty comes as the international community is pursuing twin objectives:  intensifying efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals, and formulating the next set of goals to guide our efforts after we reach the MDG target date of 2015.  This post-2015 agenda must have poverty eradication as its highest priority and sustainable development at its core.  After all, the only way to make poverty eradication irreversible is by putting the world on a sustainable development path.

We have much work ahead.  While poverty levels have declined significantly, progress has been uneven.  Our impressive achievement in cutting poverty by half should not blind us to the fact that more than 1.2 billion people still live in extreme poverty worldwide. Too many, especially women and girls, continue to be denied access to adequate health care and sanitation, quality education and decent housing.  Too many young people lack jobs and the skills that respond to market demands.  Rising inequality in many countries -- both rich and poor -- is fueling exclusion from economic, social and political spheres, and we know that the impacts of climate change and loss of biodiversity hit the poorest the hardest.  All of this underpins the need for strong and responsive institutions.

We need to do more to listen and act for those whose voices often go unheard – people living in poverty, and in particular among them indigenous people, the older persons and those living with disabilities, the unemployed, migrants and minorities.  We need to support them in their struggle to escape poverty and build better lives for themselves and their families. 

If we are to realize the future we want for all, we must hear and heed the calls of the marginalized.  For the last year, the UN has been doing just that by spearheading an unprecedented global conversation on the world people want.  That dialogue must continue – and lead to the active and meaningful inclusion of people living in poverty -- as we chart a course to ending poverty everywhere. 
Together, we can build a sustainable world of prosperity and peace, justice and equity – a life of dignity for all.
Ban Ki-moon

 

 

Theme for 2013:  Working together towards a world without discrimination: Building on the experience and knowledge of people in extreme poverty

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been observed every year since 1993, when the United Nations General Assembly, by resolution 47/196, designated this day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries. Fighting poverty remains at the core of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the post-2015 development agenda.
This year's official commemoration on 17 October at UN Headquarters will be an occasion to recognize people living in poverty as critical partners for fighting the development challenges we face. The commemoration at the UN is organized in partnership with the International Movement ATD Fourth World, the NGO Sub-committee for the Eradication of Poverty and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, supported by the Missions of France and Burkina Faso to the UN.
In addition, the World We Want 2015 platform will host an event for its People’s Voices Series, centering on the Day’s theme, the MDGs  and the Post-2015 Agenda.

From 14 October through 17 October, please join the UN system and its partners in a social media action, #EndPoverty, to raise awareness of the fight against poverty and the need to accelerate action to achieve the MDGs.

Get Involved!
You can participate:
  • Join the global conversation on Facebook and Twitter using #EndPoverty. Beginning 14 October, share photos and stories of what you and your community are doing to help end poverty.
  • Learn and help share infographics and new videos about accelerating the Millennium Development Goals.
  • Follow the World We Want People’s Voices event live on 17 October.
  • Watch persons affected by poverty share their views at the official commemoration at UN headquarters, live on UN webcast on 17 October.

 Join the Forum : Discussions & opinions on the International Day for Eradication on Poverty, October 17
Watch the videos : The activities around the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
     

1 comment:

  1. Other than people relying on an income protection quote in times of poverty and unemployment, government should do something to address the issue.

    ReplyDelete