NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY
Press Release
NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY
19971014 TO BE OBSERVED ON 17 OCTOBERUnited Nations Ceremony to Focus on Courage of the World's Poorest People
The untold stories of the world's poorest people will be brought to light during the observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty at the United Nations on Friday next (17 October). Among the events will be a commemoration in the United Nations garden from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. honoring the victims of extreme poverty and those who work alongside them. It is co-sponsored by the United Nations and the International Movement ATD Fourth World (a French non-governmental organization).
Children involved in street library programmes in disadvantaged New York neighborhoods as well as delegates from several local schools will take part. Through a theatrical performance, the children will convey the experiences of very poor children and their families whose stories are rarely heard or are unknown.
Present at the commemoration will be families representing some of New York's poorest neighborhoods, as well as ambassadors and other officials from the international community, and representatives of local and international non-governmental organizations.
The observance will take place around a replica of the commemorative stone in honor of the victims of extreme poverty, which was presented to the United Nations by France during a special ceremony on 17 October last year. The original commemorative stone was inaugurated on the Plaza of Human Rights and Liberties in Paris on 17 October 1987 by the late Father Joseph Wresinski, founder of the ATD Fourth World. The message engraved on the stone reads, "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. Father Joseph Wresinski." More than 100,000 defenders of human rights attended that event, including very poor people from around the world. In 1992, the United Nations officially recognized 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
- 2 - Note No. 5472 14 October 1997
Friday's commemoration will be led by Dr. Charles Courtney, Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Drew University. A message from Secretary-General Kofi Annan will be received. Also taking part will be Rosalyn Little, Fourth World delegate from East New York; Amina Mesdoua, Counsellor, Algerian Mission; Nicole Romulus, Counsellor, Haitian Mission; Rebeca Rios-Kohn, Senior Programme Officer, Child Rights, UNICEF; Hui Lai, Office of Conference and Support Services, Department of Administrative and Management; Emma R. Broisman, Officer with the United Nations International Council of Women; Lyndrew Nesmith, East New York Urban Youth Corps; Vladimir Babadzhan, Director and Co-founder of the Music School of Westchester; Jane Mendez, actress; Daniel Kronenfeld, Executive Director of Henry Street Settlement.
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