International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Every year on October 17, the world pauses to honor the courage and dignity of people living in poverty. This United Nations observance began in Paris in 1987, when more than 100,000 people gathered at the Trocadéro to proclaim that poverty is a violation of human rights. It is a day to listen, to learn, and to renew our shared commitment to ending poverty in all its forms.
- Roots
- Trocadéro, Paris, October 17, 1987
- Also on Oct 17
- World Anesthesia Day · World Trauma Day · International Sloth Day
- Hashtag
- #InternationalDayForTheEradicationOfPoverty
3 ways to celebrate
Donate to a local anti-poverty organization
Give to or volunteer with a food bank, shelter, or job-training program in your own town. Local giving puts the day's message into direct action.
Read first-person stories about poverty
Seek out books, documentaries, or interviews featuring people who have experienced poverty firsthand. Listening is the first step toward understanding.
Contact an elected representative
Write a short, respectful message asking your local officials what they are doing to reduce poverty. Calm civic pressure moves policy.
Plan ahead
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed on October 17 every year. Here is where it lands for the next ten years, handy for planners, marketers and party people.
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