International Day for the Eradication of Poverty observed on 17 October

17 October: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was observed across the world on 17 October 2014. The theme for the day was Leave no one behind: think, decide and act together against extreme poverty.

The 2014 theme recognises and underscores the demanding challenge of identifying and securing the participation of those experiencing extreme poverty and social exclusion in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, which will replace the Millennium Development Goals.

The day was observed to promote people’s awareness on the need to eradicate poverty and destitution worldwide.

Actions performed to observe the day includes
The official commemoration on 17 October at UN Headquarters in New York was organised in partnership with the International Movement ATD Fourth World, the NGO Sub-committee for the Eradication of Poverty and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, supported by the Missions of France and Burkina Faso to the UN.

The commemoration was done to recognize people living in poverty as critical partners for fighting the development challenges we face.

Earlier, on 16 October 2014, a panel discussion was organised at the United Nations Headquarters titled, Beijing+20 - Leaving No One Behind: Women, Poverty, and Participation. The discussion was organised to explore the disproportionate effects of poverty on women and women's contributions to ending poverty.

About International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is being observed annually since 1993, the year when the United Nations General Assembly, by resolution 47/196, designated this day to promote awareness on the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries.

Apart from this, fighting poverty remains at the core of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the development of the post-2015 development agenda.