World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty
Today, October 17th, we celebrate World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty, advocated by Father Joseph Wresinski, and promoted by the UN, under the theme: "Working Together towards a World without Discrimination".
In the Human Rights Plaza in Paris, Joseph Wresinski, founder of the ATD Fourth World of Movement inaugurated a commemorative stone bearing this inscription: "On October 17, 1987, defenders of human and civil rights from every continent gathered here. They paid homage to the victims of hunger, ignorance and violence. They affirmed their conviction that human misery is not inevitable. They pledged their solidarity with all people who, throughout the world, strive to eradicate extreme poverty."
"Wherever men and women are condemned
to live in poverty,
human rights are violated.
To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty."
