International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, celebrated on October 17th, was officially established in 1992 with the aim of raising awareness of the need to defend a fundamental human right: the right to live without poverty.
The history of this day dates back to October 17th, 1987, when Joseph Wresinski, founder of the International Movement ATD Fourth World, gathered one hundred thousand people in Paris, at the site where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed, to honor the victims of hunger and poverty.
The eradication of poverty and hunger is one of the eight Millennium Development Goals, established in 2000 by 193 member countries of the United Nations and various international organizations. On this day, voices are given to people affected by poverty, and efforts are united to fight this global issue. In 2016, the theme was “Moving from humiliation and exclusion to participation: ending poverty in all its forms.”
Poverty in Portugal:
In recent years, the economic crisis has increased the number of people living in poverty in Portugal. Social support institutions have recorded a significant rise in requests for help from families.
According to the European Anti-Poverty Network, 18% of the Portuguese population lives in poverty. In terms of income, the European reference for poverty corresponds to a minimum income of 406 euros per month. Portugal ranks 141st in the world’s poorest countries, with a GDP (PPP) per capita of $23,185.
This day reminds us of the urgency to act to eliminate poverty and to ensure that everyone deserves dignity and the conditions for a fair and equitable life.
Pass it on.
