International Day for Eradication of Poverty

• International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed every year on October 17 and aims to raise awareness about people living in poverty.
• According to the United Nations’ website, the day is a chance to acknowledge the efforts and struggles of people living in poverty.
• It is also a chance for them to make their concerns heard, and a moment to recognise that poor people are the first ones to fight against poverty.

History of International Day for Eradication of Poverty

• The observance of this day goes back to 1987.
• In 1987, More than 100,000 people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger at the unveiling of a commemorative stone by a French priest and humanitarian activist Joseph Wresinski.
• Proclaiming that poverty is a violation of human rights, such people affirmed the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected.
• Four years after Wresinski’s demise in 1988, the general assembly, through a resolution adopted on 22 December 1992, declared October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
• All states were invited to present and promote activities regarding the eradication of poverty and destitution.

Theme for International Day for Eradication of Poverty 2021

• This year’s theme is “Building forward together: Ending Persistent Poverty, Respecting all People and our Planet.”