RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
47/196. Observance of an international day for the eradication of poverty
The General Assembly,
Noting that the eradication of poverty and destitution in all countries, in particular in developing countries, has become one of the priorities of development for the 1990s, and considering that the promotion of the eradication of poverty and destitution requires public awareness,
Welcoming the fact that certain non-governmental organizations, on the initiative of one non-governmental organization, have in recent years in many States observed 17 October as World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty,
1. Decides to declare 17 October International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to be observed beginning in 1993;
2. Notes that activities undertaken with respect to the Day will take into account those undertaken each 17 October by certain non-governmental organizations;
3. Invites all States to devote the Day to presenting and promoting, as appropriate in the national context, concrete activities with regard to the eradication of poverty and destitution;
4. Invites the Secretary-General to make recommendations on ways and means by which the Secretariat could, within existing resources and without prejudice to ongoing activities, assist States in organizing their national activities for the observance of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
5. Invites intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to assist States, at their request, in organizing national activities for the observance of International Day for t:he Eradication of Poverty, paying due attention to the specific problems of the destitute;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to take, within existing resources, the measures necessary to ensure the success of the observance by the United Nations of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
7. Also requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session on the implementation of the present resolution.
93rd plenary meeting
22 December 1992
“At a time of multiple global crises, the poorest and most vulnerable have a special claim on our attention. We know that, in any recession, those hurt first—and worst—are the poor. According to recent estimates, the global economic crisis has claimed at least 50 million jobs this year. As many as 100 million more people are expected to fall below the poverty line in 2009.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Message
for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 17 October 2009
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been observed every year since 1993, when the General Assembly, by resolution 47/196, designated this day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries, particularly in developing countries - a need that has become a development priority.
At the Millennium Summit, world leaders committed themselves to cutting by half by the year 2015 the number of people living in extreme poverty - people whose income is less than one dollar a day.
17 October presents an opportunity to acknowledge the effort and struggle of people living in poverty, a chance for them to make their concerns heard, and a moment to recognize that poor people are the first ones to fight against poverty. Participation of the poor themselves has been at the center of the Day's celebration since its very beginning. The commemoration of 17 October also reflects the willingness of people living in poverty to use their expertise to contribute to the eradication of poverty.
This year’s observance highlights the role of the convention in securing children’s rights, in particular the right to survival and full development, the right to protection from abuse and exploitation and the right to participation in family, cultural and social life. Participation also means that children have the right to express their opinions and have those opinions heard and acted upon when appropriate.
Fuentes:
http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N93/191/46/IMG/N9319146.pdf?OpenElement
http://www.un.org/en/events/povertyday/