International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Poverty affects people all around the globe, including where you live. Find an event or organization to join the fight, donate, volunteer, and raise awareness.
Mobilize corporate giving and employee volunteering on October 17th by positioning your brand as a poverty-fighting partner through donation matching, volunteer day sponsorships, and awareness campaigns.
- Share poverty statistics and facts on social media to spark awareness conversations
- Launch a corporate volunteer day or donation-matching campaign tied to October 17th
- Feature employee testimonials about volunteering with local poverty-relief organizations
- Create educational content about systemic poverty and actionable ways supporters can help
The very first observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty can be pinpointed as the 17th of October in 1987. On that Saturday in fall more than a hundred thousand people congregated at the Trocadéro in Paris, France. It was there that the Declaration of Human Rights was signed by the United Nations in 1948, in order to honor the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger. The central principles expressed in the declaration were carved in a commemorative stone, which was unveiled at the signing of the Declaration of Human Rights in 1987.
Multiple replicas of the stone were made and have been placed around the world to serve as locations for gathering each year to observe the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. One replica of the stone is placed in the garden of the United Nations Headquarters, where the United Nations Secretariat holds an annual commemoration every year. Hundreds of people gather each year to renew their resolve to combat poverty and to demonstrate their solidarity with those living and struggling in poverty.
In 1992 a resolution was adopted and the General Assembly declared the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty as an official day on which to promote events “with regard to the eradication of poverty and destitution.”
Speak Up
Advocate for change by reaching out to local policymakers. Draft a letter, make a call, or schedule a meeting to discuss how community-level changes can support children in poverty. Your voice matters and can help influence policies that improve children’s lives.
Knowledge is Power
Spend the day learning and sharing facts about child poverty. Understanding the issue is the first step toward solving it. Share interesting facts and statistics on social media or talk about them over dinner. It’s a great way to spread awareness and spark conversations.
Give a Little Help a Lot
Why not open your heart and your wallet? Donating to a charity is a grand way to celebrate. Choose a reputable organization and make a contribution that could change somebody’s life. Every little bit counts and your generosity could provide essentials like food, education, or healthcare to people in need.
Lend Your Time
Roll up your sleeves and volunteer! Local organizations that support people in poverty often need help. You could tutor, mentor, or spend time helping those in need. Your presence could bring a lot of joy and valuable assistance. All in all, the day serves as a reminder that we must work together to dismantle the barriers to a fairer, more inclusive world where no child has to grow up in poverty.