International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2022 [fr]

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty commemorates the call made on October 17, 1987 by Father Joseph Wresinski, founder of ATD Fourth World, to eradicate poverty in the world.

Despite the progress made over these past years, poverty is still a very real issue that affects all regions of the world. According to the United Nations, 10% of the world’s population, or 734 million people, still live in extreme poverty, i.e. with less than $1.90 a day.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted this dynamic, exposing gaps and failures in the social protection system as well as structural inequalities and various forms of discrimination that exacerbate and perpetuate poverty. In addition to being affected by the pandemic, people living in poverty are also on the frontline of the impact of climate change. Many of the working poor are almost entirely dependent on their environment for survival, and suffer with full force of droughts and floods. The number of climate refugees is also increasing. The precariousness faced by these people further exposes them to a variety of discriminations including unsafe working conditions, unsanitary housing conditions, lack of nutritious food, unequal access to justice, lack of political participation and representation, and lack of access to health care.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the World Day Against Extreme Poverty and the 30th anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Since its inception, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been a way of calling attention to the misery and isolation in which these people live. It is also an opportunity for all those living in poverty to make their voices heard through testimonies about their living conditions.

The commitment of France and the United Nations to eradicate poverty

"Wherever men and women are condemned to live in extreme poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty." - Joseph Wresinski

The eradication of poverty and support for the poorest is a priority for France, which is mobilized both at the national level through a strategy of prevention and fight against poverty, and at the multilateral level with the French Development Agency (AFD) which finances and supports projects in 115 countries.

The United Nations also considers the eradication of poverty to be a priority issue that falls under the heading of respect for human rights. The United Nations system plays an important role in meeting this global challenge, particularly in the context of the 2030 Agenda, which sets out 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The first of these goals is the eradication of poverty in all its forms and everywhere in the world.

Event on October 17 in New York

Once again, this year, France joined forces with ATD Fourth World, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in holding a virtual event on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17.

The theme of the event and the 2022 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is: “Dignity for all in practice: commitments we take together for social justice, peace and the planet”

Listen to the discussion between the Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière and Filippe Savadogo, Member of the October 17 International Committee in the podcast made by Dignity Voices to learn more about the role of France in the promotion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.