NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS WORLDWIDE EVENTS TO MARK INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR ERADICATION OF POVERTY

Press Release

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS WORLDWIDE EVENTS TO MARK INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR ERADICATION OF POVERTY

United Nations Observances Will Aim To Increase Awareness Of Global Scourge, Promote Action To Alleviate Social Deprivation

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty will be observed worldwide on 17 October, with the aim of raising awareness and focusing global attention on the scourge of poverty and social deprivation, and their debilitating effects on humanity, and also to mobilizing action against poverty. The international day was designated by the United Nations General assembly in its resolution 47/196 of 22 December 1992. This year's commemoration offers the world community an occasion to promote public awareness of the conditions and causes of poverty. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm the international community's commitment to eradicate poverty, as stated by heads of State and Government at the World Summit for Social Development in 1995.

Since 1993, the Day has been observed through a series of activities in various parts of the world, and also by special events organized at United Nations Headquarters. Several events will mark this year's observance of the International Day at United Nations Headquarters and elsewhere.

In New York, the United Nations and the International Movement ATD Fourth World (a French non-governmental organization) will hold an observance in honour of the victims of extreme poverty. This event will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the garden of the United Nations Visitors Plaza (First Avenue and 46th Street). A message from United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan marking the occasion will be read. (For text, see Press Release SG/SM/6360-OBV/14 of 15 October).

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is planning a major event that evening, in the Economic and Social Council Chamber of the United Nations, entitled "A World without Poverty." It will be hosted by the actor Danny Glover, and among those scheduled to take part are Secretary-General Annan, Nobel-Laureate Nadine Gordimer, UNDP Administrator James Gustave Speth, social activist and comedian Dick Gregory, jazz musician Jonathan Butler and the Latin American folk fusion Duo Encuentros.

- 2 - Note No. 5473 15 October 1997

United Nations Information Centres and Services, as well as UNDP field offices in more than 100 countries, are organizing local events to raise public awareness of the importance of poverty eradication, as a national and international priority.

In New York the Non-Governmental Organization Section of the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) held a special briefing on 9 October on poverty-related issues, attended by more than 150 non-governmental organizations representatives. Among guest speakers were John Langmore, Director of the Division for Social Policies and Development; Anders Wijkman, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support; Nancy M. Barry, President of Women's World Banking; and Ambassador Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations.

* *** *