“On this day we recommit to think, decide and act together against extreme poverty — and plan for a world where no-one is left behind. Our aim must be prosperity for all, not just a few.”
~ Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon ~
Poverty is a complex reality, but it is not foreseeable. Building a sustainable future requires everyone to strengthen their efforts towards eradicating extreme poverty and discrimination as well as ensuring that everyone can fully exercise their basic human rights.
The full involvement of people living in poverty, particularly in the decisions that affect their lives and communities, must be at the centre of policies and strategies to build a sustainable future. In this mode, we can guarantee that our planet and our societies can fulfil the need and aspiration of everyone, not only those of a privileged and minor group but also for the future generations.
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been observed every year since 1993. Celebrated every year on the 17th of October, this day promotes awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries. It symbolises opportunities to acknowledge the efforts and struggles of people living in poverty, a chance for them to make their concerns heard and a moment to recognise that poor people are in the forefront of our fight against poverty
This year, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is relevant, at a time when the United Nations has adopted the new global agenda to achieve sustainable development by 2030. The target set in 2000, of halving extreme poverty in the world by 2015 has come to the end.
As this year focus is on ‘Building a Sustainable Future: Coming Together to End Poverty and Discrimination’, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty holds particular significance because it is, in fact, the first observance following the formal adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals by the General Assembly of the United Nations.
For World Assembly of Youth, the eradication of poverty is a basis for human rights and human dignity. We appreciate and acknowledge the need of total eradication of poverty in all its forms throughout the world in achieving a sustainable future. We shall continue to be the voices of young people globally for their concerns to be heard.
Happy International Day for the Eradication of Poverty!
WORLD ASSEMBLY OF YOUTH
PRESS RELEASE
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY: ‘BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: COMING TOGETHER TO END POVERTY AND DISCRIMINATION’
DATE: 17TH OCTOBER 2015
