NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS GLOBAL OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR POVERTY ERADICATION AIMED AT RAISING AWARENESS OF CONDITIONS, CAUSES OF POVERTY

Press Release

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS GLOBAL OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR POVERTY ERADICATION AIMED AT RAISING AWARENESS OF CONDITIONS, CAUSES OF POVERTY

Occasion to Reaffirm Government Commitments to End Destitution

This year's global observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October, is aimed at promoting public awareness of the conditions and causes of poverty and the need to eradicate such destitution in all countries. It also presents an occasion to reaffirm the global commitment to eradicate poverty made by heads of State and Government at the World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen, 1995).

By its resolution 47/196 of 22 December 1992 designating the International Day, the General Assembly invited intergovernmental and non- governmental organizations to assist States in organizing national activities. Since 1993, the Day has been observed through a variety of activities in many countries, and also by special events organized at United Nations Headquarters.

The originator of the idea for the International Day was Father Joseph Wresinksi, founder of the International Movement A.T.D. Fourth World (a French non-governmental organization). At a meeting in Paris, France, on 17 October 1987, a commemorative stone was unveiled bearing his words, "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."

A commemorative replica of the stone will be dedicated by France and the International Movement A.T.D. Fourth World in a special Headquarters ceremony to take place in the United Nations Visitors' Plaza gardens (First Avenue and 46th Street) at 1 p.m., Thursday, in honour of the victims of extreme poverty. At that time, the message of Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali on the occasion of the International Day will be read by Nitin Desai, Under- Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development.

Other special events marking this year's observance will include a multi-religious service from 9:15 to 10 a.m. at the Tillman Chapel, Church Center for the United Nations, at 777 United Nations Plaza, held by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Conference on Religion and Peace, and the Task Force on the United Nations. The Department of Public Information (DPI) will hold a special NGO briefing in the Dag Hammarskjöld Auditorium at 10 a.m., featuring as speakers Razali Ismail, President of the General Assembly, and James Gustave Speth, Administrator of the UNDP. The briefing will be preceded by a film. The DPI press kit on the subject of the eradication of poverty will also be launched on the Day.

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