International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

The first commemoration, "World Day to Overcome Poverty" took place in Paris, France, in 1987 when 100,000 people gathered on the Human Rights and Liberties Plaza at the Trocadéro to honour victims of poverty, hunger, violence, and fear at the unveiling of a commemorative stone by Joseph Wresinski, founder of the International Movement ATD Fourth World.

In 1992, four years after Wresinski's death, the United Nations officially designated October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty.To date, there is a total of 53 replicas of the Commemorative Stone around the world including countries like Belgium, Burkina Faso, Canada, Germany, Philippines, Portugal Reunion Island, Switzerland, the UK and the USA.

Early in his career as an activist, Wresinski recognized that governments often ignored the plight of those living in poverty, leading to feelings of rejection, shame, and humiliation.

[1] As a result, one of the primary goals of the Day is to recognize the struggles of the impoverished and to make their voices heard by governments and citizens.