International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024; October 17th.

FORUM: ''Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment Acting together for just, peaceful and inclusive societies.'' International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024. This day provides a platform for people experiencing poverty to voice their concerns and recognizes their crucial role in combating poverty. Importantly, the chosen theme will underscore the necessity for collaborative efforts to eradicate poverty and discrimination, ultimately paving the way for a sustainable future where the needs of all are met without compromising the well-being of future generations. In our efforts to move forward, let us use dignity as our compass, so the attainment of fundamental human rights and social justice is at the heart of national and global decision making. Using dignity as our compass will also help shape a global economy that prioritises the wellbeing of the people and planet over maximisation of corporate profits and ensure social justice, peace and prosperity. In moving forward, strong partnerships are needed. In this regard, Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection, and Global Coalition for Social Justice to reduce and prevent inequalities should be supported. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Dignity4All, #PovertyDay, #17october, #EndingPoverty, #GlobalGoals, #SDG1.

EVENTS: This year marks the 37th anniversary of the World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty and the 32nd edition of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. During the day; We will honor the millions of people suffering from poverty and their daily courage and recognize the essential global solidarity and shared responsibility we hold to eradicate poverty and combat all forms of discrimination. More information about initiatives, events and activities to mark October 17 around the world can be found at UNDESA and overcoming poverty website.

New York Commemoration: On October 17th from 1:15 pm to 2:30 pm, to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024 under the theme “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment.” The event will put a spotlight on a widespread but often ignored aspect of poverty: social and institutional mistreatment. This hidden violence, which includes stigma, discrimination, and the denial of basic rights, causes deep harm to individuals and communities already struggling with poverty. .People gather around the world to listen to those in poverty, and to reaffirm the collective commitment to end poverty. This event emphasized the need for collective action to ensure these rights are respected. Since then, people of diverse backgrounds have united annually to express solidarity with those living in poverty. Replicas of a commemorative stone, unveiled during the initial gathering, serve as focal points for these global observances, including one at the United Nations Headquarters. Download Flyer, Get the Agenda Programme!

On october 17th 2024; A Global Policy Dialogue entitled ‘‘New Pathways to End Poverty Amid Converging Crises’’ starting at 10:00 AM - The UN DESA will host a Global Policy Dialogue on 17 October, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The dialogue will be divided into two panels that will draw on the key findings and recommendations of the World Social Report 2024 and to ensure transformations at the necessary scale and speed, particularly in relation to achieving SDG 1, No Poverty. This dialogue is made possible by the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund and is free to join. It will be in English with captioning available in 20+ languages in Zoom. Register to participate!

Press conference for the Launch of the World Social Report 2024 starting at 12:30 pm EST UN Press Briefing Room, S-237 - Multiple converging crises are undermining social progress around the world, hitting the most vulnerable people and societies the hardest. This must be a critical wake-up call for global action. The World Social Report 2024 makes the case for comprehensive changes that both national and international actors can make to effectively eradicate poverty, foster inclusive and job-rich growth, while promoting equality of opportunity and universal access to quality services. The new World Social Report 2024 from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) illustrates how shocks hit the most vulnerable people and societies the hardest, with both short- and long-term impacts on social development. Developing countries, particularly those in special situations such as least-developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States (SIDS) are among the worst affected. Advancing social development during recurrent and converging crises requires investment in building resilience and coping capacities at the national level, and supportive collective actions at the global level. National development strategies that seek to eradicate poverty; ensure inclusive, job-rich growth; and promote equality of opportunity and universal access to quality services, among others, must now be reviewed to ensure they can succeed in accelerating social development in the new crisis context. At the same time, the cascading effects of crises across systems highlight the need for strengthened global action to reduce systemic risks and enhance resilience. To further support the UN in its efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) amid these interconnected crises; Get the flyer and watch the livestream!

PUBLICATION: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative are glad to present the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2024 report entitled’’Poverty amid conflict.’’ The MPI uses the most recent comparable data available for 112 countries—21 low-income countries, 87 middle-income countries and 4 high-income countries. These countries are home to 6.3 billion people, about 92 percent of the population in developing regions, and of these 1.1 billion people are poor. Global MPI values, incidence and intensity of poverty, and component indicators are disaggregated for 1,359 subnational regions as well as by age group, rural-urban area and gender of the household head. In Table 6, we publish harmonised estimates for 86 countries, which provide results for trends over time. Forty have harmonized data for two points in time, 36 countries have trends data for three points in time, six have data for four points in time, three (Ghana, Mexico and Peru) have data for five points in time and Nepal has trends data for six points in time. Read the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2024.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024; October 17th.


Poverty is a global plague, affecting hundreds of millions of people around the world. But poverty is not inevitable. It is the direct result of the choices that societies and governments make — or fail to make. This year’s theme reminds us that people mired in poverty contend with societal discrimination and systemic barriers that make it more difficult to access vital services and support. Ending global poverty — and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals — requires governments shaping institutions and systems that put people first. It demands that we prioritize investments in decent work, learning opportunities and social protection that offer ladders out of poverty. And it calls on us to fully implement the new Pact for the Future by supporting an SDG Stimulus and reforming the global financial architecture to help developing countries invest in their people. Eradicating poverty is an essential foundation for humane, dignified societies that leave no one behind. On this important day, let’s re-commit to making poverty history.

United Nations Secretary-General.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 

Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment 

Thursday, October 17th, 2024 ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ,  1:15-2:30 pm Commemorative Stone in Honor of the Victims of Extreme Poverty UN Garden, North lawn 3-3:30 pm 

Part one ECOSOC Chamber 

1:15: Introduction of Co-Mc’s by Maryann Broxton, Main Representative of the United Nation, International Movement ATD Fourth World.

 1:19: Introduction and welcome by Co-Master of Ceremony, Ms Stacy White, ATD Fourth Word Activists, and Ms Clara Ceravolo, UNICEF 

1:24: Ms. Wenyan Yang, Chief, Global Dialogue for Social Development Branch, UN DESA’s Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD) reading of Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ statement on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

. 1:26: Mr. Charles Katoanga, Director, Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD), UN DESA offers remarks on the theme of the day. 

Keynote speakers 

1:30-1:41 Ms. Asha Mohamed, ATD Fourth World Activist, Tanzania offers a statement. Mr. Alain Meylan, ATD Fourth World Activist, Switzerland offers a statement. Mr Tyler Byrd, Housing Advocate and Activist, New York, offers a statement. 

1:43-1:48 Musical performance ALBA Musik performs “Rise up” by Audra Day 

1:50 - 2:18 Guest speakers Ms Nancy Santos, Assistant Director, Project Access, Roxbury Community College, Boston, offers a statement. Ms. Rashmi Banga, Chief, Development Research Branch in Economic Analysis and Policy Division, UN DESA Mr. Olivier Richard, Head of the Climate and Development Team, Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations offers reflection on keynote speakers statements and theme of the day. 

2:25-2:30 MC’s thanks speakers, direct attendees to the Poverty Stone, UN Garden, North Lawn for the second part of the commemoration, and invites attendees to reception at ATD Fourth World House at 4:30pm. 

Part two 

Poverty Stone, UN Garden, North Lawn 

3pm: ALBA Musik performs original song, “Paradoja" (Paradox) 

3:06pm: Mr Donld Lee, President, ATD Fourth World offers a statement on the spirit of the day. 3:11pm: School children reading the Poverty Stone inscription in the six UN languages 

3:20p: Moment of silence. 

3:21: Laura Inesta, Bella Meese, and Asher Holland perform “Hallelujah” by Rufus Wainwright. 3:26pm: Gesture 

3:29pm: Co-MC’s thanks speakers and attendees, invites people to attend the reception at the ATD Fourth World House, Group photo by stone. 

4:30-7:30: Reception at ATD Fourth Word House, 172 First Ave (between 10th and 11th St), New York.

CELEBRATING PROGRESS, DRIVING PRIVATE SECTOR SOLUTION

Press Conference: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) on the launch of the World Social Report 2024 - Social Development in Times of Converging Crises: A Call for Global Action.

    

 Speakers: Shantanu Mukherjee, Director, Economic Analysis and Policy Division, UN DESA, and Wenyan Yang, Chief, Global Dialogue for Social Development Branch (GDSDB), Division for Inclusive Social Development, UN DESA. 

 New Pathways to End Poverty Amid Converging Crises: A UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue.

   

 The new "World Social Report 2024" from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) illustrates how shocks hit the most vulnerable people and societies the hardest, with both short- and long-term impacts on social development. This session, held on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, will feature conversations with experts and people with lived experience of poverty to showcase ways to ensure transformations at the necessary scale and speed to improve lives. Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment | Acting together for just, peaceful and inclusive societies - UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024.

   

 People living in poverty face negative attitudes. They are stigmatised, discriminated against, judged for example by their appearance, accent, address (or lack of it), blamed for their situation, and treated with disrespect. The maltreatment is more pronounced for people who face other forms of prejudice as well, including gender, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity. SDG 16 aims to achieve peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. People everywhere should be free of fear from all forms of violence including the sustained violence of poverty. Freedom from the violence of poverty will be achieved only if discussions and actions around poverty eradication are no longer carried out without the people the most directly impacted. 

 Taking firm steps towards just, peaceful, and inclusive societies include: 

 1/ putting in place conditions for people with lived experience of poverty to share their knowledge and for that knowledge to be recognised and valued;

 2/ supporting actions to enable the people living in poverty to regain confidence and agency to act and 3/ recognising the contributions that people experiencing poverty bring to society and their invaluable experiential knowledge of policy and practices related to poverty. To correct the collective failure of poverty, we call on everyone to take these firm steps and act together to promote effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions that will appropriately, effectively, and respectfully respond to the needs of the people left furthest behind

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2023; October 17th.

FORUM: “Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting Dignity in Practice for All.” International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2023.

During the day, we will highlight these intimately linked ‘decent work’ and ‘social protection’ as drivers in ending poverty and achieving dignity in practice. To achieve our goals, choices have to be made between racing to the bottom or racing to the top. Let us choose the latter and aspire to attain the highest standards for every human being giving a chance for everyone to shine and offer their best to family, community and the world. As required by international human rights law, we urge the States to use maximum available resources to progressively fulfil their human rights obligations.

October 17 shines as a ray of hope, a day to honour the millions of people enduring the silent and sustained violence of poverty. It’s our chance to live up to the promise of putting the furthest behind first, to stand together with them and pledge our commitment to ensure that dignity in practice for all becomes a reality.

People living in extreme poverty, many of whom work in the informal economy – unregistered, unrecognised and unprotected under labour legislation – face difficult and dangerous conditions. The most excluded have no choice but to accept unacceptable situations and are often seen and treated as ‘disposable’. Despite working long hours, they are unable to earn enough to support themselves and their families. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that almost 2/3 of the world’s working population, over two billion people, are informal workers with Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa having the highest levels of informality. In 2020, only 46.9% of the global population were effectively covered by at least one social protection benefit, leaving more than half of the world’s population wholly unprotected.

Informal work is also present in high income countries especially among the marginalised and undocumented workers. And even those who have access to social protection often suffer from the stigma and control that come with it. For the people experiencing persistent poverty, their lack of decent working conditions and respectful social protection creates insecurity that denies them to take charge of their lives and exposes them to exploitation, humiliation and feelings of futility preventing them from participating fully in their communities. Over the next decade, the World Bank estimates that one billion young people will try to enter the job market, but less than half of them will actually find formal jobs.

People directly impacted by extreme poverty will face discrimination, unable to obtain decent work because of their socio-economic status, lower levels of education and training received as well as the stigma attached to being poor. UNICEF estimates that in the least developed countries, slightly more than one in four children (ages 5 to 17) are engaged in labour that is detrimental to their health and development, jeopardising the possibility to ever lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

Discrimination is also felt by women, who according to the ILO women form 58% of the informal labour force. Women are likely to be the lowest paid, most marginalised and more susceptible to sexual harassment at work. Despite women’s work contributing to the economy, well-being of individuals, families and societies, the care and household work is unpaid, undervalued and left out of policy agendas. Similarly, the most excluded among us also perform useful jobs, often under precarious conditions. They have, for example, been on the forefront of environment protection and trendsetters in repair, reuse and recycle long before the ‘circular economy’ concept became popular. Despite their economic, social and environmental contribution, their work is not recognised or dismissed by society.

Dignity of the human person is inherent and yet the lived experience of people in poverty, the reality of their situation, access to decent work and social protection are a far cry from the promise of the right to work and a life in dignity enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and reaffirmed in Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development to end poverty in all its forms everywhere. The reality check is all the more shocking in view of the tremendous wealth, know how and technological advances that could have ended poverty already many decades ago. Yet the discriminatory social institutions, unjust systems, laws, policies and actions cause poverty to persist and inequalities to increase. 

In aspiring for the highest attainable standards, we call for:


Decent work for all – The ILO defines decent work as “productive work for women and men in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity.” Ensuring that jobs enable women and men to work in conditions of dignity is key to ending poverty. Decent work must be understood in the context of a dignified life and address the hidden dimensions of poverty, the social and institutional maltreatment, the unrecognised contributions that disempowers people living in poverty and causes suffering of the body, mind and the heart. In addressing the hidden dimensions, decent work combats social exclusion and promotes cohesion by inviting excluded individuals, those who have been left behind back into public life. It provides an environment supportive of non-judgement context assisting and most wider excluded individuals to access decent jobs in locations close to where they live. Decent work transforms unequal power relations by recognising the worker as a rights holder who needs to be supported and provided with the necessary education and training to do their work, who has the right to a fair wage, social security and safe working conditions. Decent work is work that empowers and enables their control over income earned. The income security that comes with social protection provides agency for people to confidently plan their future. Moreover, the dignity of work gives respect to the worker without discrimination, thereby regarding work as ‘bearer of humanity’ .


Universal social protection (USP) – Life’s journey is full of uncertainties and everyone, including those outside the labour force (eg. children, elderly and people not able to work), have a right to income security, to be ‘protected against poverty and risks to livelihoods and well-being’. States are required to deploy their maximum available resources to make social protection a reality for all. Anyone who needs social protection should be able to access it and barriers to accessing social protection rights should be addressed. In doing so, special attention must be paid to the most excluded and people trapped in extreme poverty, some of whom do not take up their rights due to lack of legal identity or shame associated with being poor. In designing and operationalising universal social protection schemes, states must involve the rights holders to ensure effective take up by those in need. In our efforts to move forward, let us use dignity as our compass, so the attainment of fundamental human rights and social justice is at the heart of national and global decision making. Using dignity as our compass will also help shape a global economy that prioritises the wellbeing of the people and planet over maximisation of corporate profits and ensure social justice, peace and prosperity. In moving forward, strong partnerships are needed. In this regard, Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection, and Global Coalition for Social Justice to reduce and prevent inequalities should be supported.

Follow the conversation with the hasgtags: #Dignity4All, #PovertyDay, #17october, #EndingPoverty, #GlobalGoals, #SDG1.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2023; October 17th.

In our world of plenty, poverty should have no home.

Yet, as we mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, nearly 700 million people are barely scraping by, living on less than $2.15 per day.

Over a billion people are deprived of basic needs like food, water, health care and education. Billions more lack sanitation and access to energy, jobs, housing and social safety nets.

Meanwhile, conflicts, the climate crisis, discrimination and exclusion — particularly against women and girls — are deepening the distress.

This is compounded by an outdated, dysfunctional and unfair global financial system that hinders developing countries from investing in alleviating poverty and achieving the SDGs.

At current rates, almost 500 million people will still be living in extreme poverty in 2030.

This is unacceptable.

At the SDG Summit in September, world leaders recognized the need to reform the international financial architecture and committed to a bold plan to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals and accelerate efforts to eradicate poverty everywhere.

This includes support for an SDG Stimulus of at least $500 billion per year in financing for investments to achieve this.

Leaders also agreed on targeted action aimed at alleviating poverty and suffering for all people — from transformed food and education systems, to decent jobs and expanded social protection, as this year’s theme highlights.

Ending poverty is the challenge of our time.

But it is a challenge we can win.

On this important day, let’s renew our commitment to a world free of poverty.

United Nations Secretary-General.

EVENTS: Commemoration of the International Day for the eradication of poverty 2023 entitled ”Decent work and social protection: Putting Dignity in practice for all.” on October 17th at UNHQ. Register to participate and Get the agenda programme!

More information about initiatives, events and activities to mark October 17 around the world can be found at UNDESA and overcoming poverty website.

DATA: Monitoring the progress made towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Celebrated since 1987 as the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty and recognized by the United Nations in 1992, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty promotes dialogue and understanding between people living in poverty and their communities, and society at large.“It represents an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts and struggles of people living in poverty, a chance for them to make poor people concerns heard, and a moment to recognize that poor people are in the forefront in the fight against poverty.” (United Nations, Report of the Secretary General, A/61/308,
para. 58)

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2022; October 17th.

FORUM:''Dignity for all in practice.'' International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2022.

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. During the day; We will honor the millions of people suffering from poverty and their daily courage and recognize the essential global solidarity and shared responsibility we hold to eradicate poverty and combat all forms of discrimination. Follow the conversations with the hastags: #Dignity4All, #PovertyDay, #17october, #EndingPoverty, #GlobalGoals, #SDG1.

Measuring poverty is difficult, expensive and vitally important. Countries carry out household surveys, visiting thousands of families, to ask questions that help us quantify poverty and to better understand people's lives.

EVENTS  October 17th, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2022.

October 17th presents an opportunity to acknowledge the effort and struggle of people living in poverty, a chance for them to make their concerns heard.

The 2023 mid-term review of the SDGs presents an opportunity for governments to end the violence being wrought on the planet and the poorest, and correct structural inequalities and discrimination that perpetuate poverty and oppression and hinder progress. Get more information about the 2022 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Launch of the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2022.

The global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is jointly produced by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). The index complements monetary-based measures of poverty, expressing deprivations that are manifested in people's daily lives in ways that go beyond the ability to purchase goods and services. The 2022 MPI features the latest estimates and analyses on multidimensional poverty, providing a closer look at the interlinked deprivations of the poor and shedding valuable insights on how to tackle poverty by addressing it in its multiple dimensions.

STORIES: Poverty deepens for women and girls, according to latest projections.