NOAH 2023/10/17 Chinese
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, 17 October
ENDING POVERTY
Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting dignity in practice for all
This year's International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, celebrated annually on October 17th, aims to promote understanding and dialogue between people living in poverty and the wider society. It also calls for universal access to decent work and social protection to uphold human dignity and emphasizes that work must empower people, provide fair wages and safe working conditions, and recognize the value and humanity of all workers. Universal social protection is also urgently needed to guarantee income security for everyone, prioritizing society's most vulnerable members.
Bengali laborers haul clumps of sod during an excavation
2023 Theme
Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting dignity in practice for all
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, celebrated annually on October 17th, aims to promote understanding and dialogue between people living in poverty and the wider society. This year's theme draws on first-hand testimonials showing that those trapped in extreme poverty often work long, grueling hours in dangerous, unregulated conditions but still cannot earn enough income to adequately support themselves and their families.
This year's theme calls for universal access to decent work and social protection as a means to uphold human dignity for all people, and to emphasize that decent work must empower people, provide fair wages and safe working conditions, and fundamentally recognize the inherent value and humanity of all workers. Similarly, universal social protection is urgently needed to guarantee income security for everyone, prioritizing society's most vulnerable members. The theme is also a call to political leaders and policymakers to use human dignity as the guiding compass in all decision-making processes, to ensure the advancement of fundamental human rights and social justice over the pursuit of corporate profits.
Strong global partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society organizations are vital to achieving equitable development and ensuring no one is excluded or left behind. Therefore, this year’s observance is a chance to stand in solidarity with people living in poverty, truly listen to their daily struggles, and renew commitments to create a just economy focused on protecting human and environmental wellbeing over maximizing financial gains. The ultimate goal is to eliminatove perty entirely by creating the conditions for everyone to live with dignity.Details available in the concept note [PDF]
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
is a wake-up call to the world. This year’s theme — “Dignity for all in
practice” — must be a rallying cry for urgent global action.
Action to invest in people-centred solutions — from
health and decent work, to gender equality, social protection, and transformed
food and education systems.
Action to transform a morally
bankrupt global financial system, and ensure access to financing and debt
relief for all countries.
Action to support developing countries as they transition from
planet-killing fossil fuels to renewable energy and job-creating green
economies.
Action to end conflicts, heal geopolitical divisions and pursue
peace.
And action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
On this important day, let us renew our commitment to a better
world for all.
As we acknowledge the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we acknowledge the plight of poor people and will be continually call for a collaborative effort in mitigating its effects.
This is not just an issue of not having enough, but of denial of one's basic rights. We live in a world where some get to enjoy their privileges and even afford the luxuries in life. But for some living in extreme poverty, even the basic needs are luxury — they were forced to make choices between education, food, health, and shelter.
Holistically, poverty is a fight for justice and equality. We shouldn't be living in this world at the expense of others.
No one deserves to get stuck being poor.
International Day of Eradicating Poverty aims to highlight the world's commitment in this campaign as we progress towards a better tomorrow.