The Bahá’í International Community Observes the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed on October 17, is a day designated to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries.  The Day is an opportunity to recognize existing efforts, renew commitments, and set new goals. Baha'i communities around the world are preparing to contribute their perspectives and lessons learned in their work towards this aim to commemorate this important Day.

This year, in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the theme for observance of this day is Human Rights and Dignity of People Living in Poverty." The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the Mission of France in collaboration with International Movement ATD Fourth World and the NGO Sub-committee for the Eradication of Poverty, of which the Bahá’í International Community is a member, have organized several events for the Day including an evening reception, formal commemoration event which will include testimonies of people living in poverty and a roundtable dialogue on the topic of participation and partnerships to combat poverty and exclusion.  For more information visit http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/social/intldays/IntlDay/2008intlday.html.

The Bahá'í International Community has invited Mr. Kevin Locke to participate in the day’s proceedings.  Mr. Locke, an Aboriginal Bahá'í from the United States of America, lives on Standing Rock Reservation which has been identified as one of the poorest counties in the United States.  Mr. Locke is also a renowned artist who has performed in over 80 countries around the world.  He will perform at the Day’s events as well as participating in the roundtable dialogue on combating poverty and exclusion.

These efforts will also contribute to the work of the ‘STAND UP, TAKE ACTION” campaign. This campaign is a global movement of people who work towards ending poverty and inequality to achieve and exceed the Millennium Development Goals.  It is organized by the United Nations Millennium Campaign and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP).  For more information about this initiative and to register your activities, visit: www.standagainstpoverty.org.