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“To build a sustainable future, our struggle must be recognized,” said Henri Yamasheta Wilson, from ATD Fourth World Movement, as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was commemorated on 16 October. At the event, Mr. Wilson conveyed, along with Zena Grimes, the message of 25 members of his organization, many of whom live in poverty. “When you are poor, your life, your kid’s life, your family life – it is not your choice,” he said.

Bringing together representatives from civil society and activists whose work ?engages on the experiences and efforts of people living in poverty, the day was commemorated under the theme “Building a sustainable future: coming together to end poverty and discrimination.”

Participants looked back at progress made over the past 15 years and considered the challenges ahead, highlighting the most important issues for those living in extreme poverty.

17 October was established in 1992 by the UN General Assembly as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty to promote awareness of the need to eliminate extreme poverty and destitution, especially in developing countries.

“Persistent poverty is the world we were born into. It’s a hard feeling not to be able to climb up the ladder little by little”

Henri Yamasheta Wilson
ATD Fourth World Movement

This challenge was also made a top priority by the global community when it adopted the Millennium Declaration in 2000. Millennium Development Goal number 1 was to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, under which a target was set to halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people in extreme poverty.

Seizing the MDG momentum for eradication of poverty

“The world has made extraordinary progress in reducing extreme poverty. Over the past 25 years, more than one billion people have been lifted above the poverty threshold,” said Mr. Tegegnework Gettu, Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management, in delivering the message of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. “Yet these gains have not reached everyone. More than 800 million people continue to live in extreme poverty, and many more are at risk.”

The commemorative event that took place at UN Headquarters in New York was supported by the Permanent Missions of France and Burkina Faso. Co-hosted by Emma Speaks and Maryann Broxton of ATD Fourth World, the attendees at the event heard various statements from several representatives of people living in poverty.

“Eradication of poverty remains primary, the Sustainable Development Goal number one, with the ambition that, by 2030, not a single person on the planet lives on less than $ 1.25 per day,” remarked Ambassador Fran?ois Delattre of France.

“This goal, serving the poor, is Goal number one as it should be, and, if we reach it, that will have a positive impact on all other Sustainable Development Goals,” Mr. Delattre stressed.

Ambassador Mariame Fofana of Burkina Faso underscored the relevance of the event’s theme for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. “Humans are created equal, with the spirit of love, sharing and mutual acceptance regardless of differences,” she said. “Poverty and discrimination are not irreversible. They are a product of a system in which the most vulnerable pay the heaviest price.”

Hearing the voices of people living in poverty

Participants focused on various issues and challenges facing people living in poverty today, from discrimination and marginalization, to access to education and employment opportunities, to problems caused by violence, conflict and climate change.

“Persistent poverty is the world we were born into.? It’s a hard feeling not to be able to climb up the ladder little by little,” said Mr. Wilson, in co-delivering a collective message.

In the final message of the day, Donald Lee, of the International Committee for October 17, said that “We must not repeat the missteps of the last fifteen years. This time, we must ensure we leave no one behind,” conveying an overarching message that people living in poverty must be full and equal partners in creating a better world.

“Their full participation, particularly in the decisions that affect their lives and communities, must be at the center of policies and strategies to build a sustainable future.”