October 17th
On the 17th October 1987, the concept of poverty as a violation of human rights was acknowledged publicly when 100,000 people gathered in the centre of Paris to see the laying of a commemorative plaque in the Plaza of Human Rights, bearing this message signed by Joseph Wresinski, founder of ATD Fourth World:
"Wherever men and women are condemned to live in poverty, human rights are violated. It is our solemn duty to come together to ensure that these rights are respected."
Since 1987, more than 30 replicas of this commemorative stone have been laid around the world. They have become rallying points and places of encouragement and identity for people in poverty and people committed to standing with them.
The 17th October has since been adopted by the UN as International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. For more information, consult oct17.org or Ireland special page.
In 2008, a commemorative stone has been laid near the Famine
Memorial in a collaborative effort between the 17th October
Coalition, Dublin City Council and the Dublin Docklands
Development Authority.
As a founder member of the 17th October Coalition in Ireland, ATD Fourth World contributes with other groups and individuals to the preparation every year of the 17th October commemorations in Dublin, and in supporting the development of events to mark the UN Day elsewhere in Ireland.
This is an occasion for people experiencing poverty to express their struggles and efforts, and for the community at large to express its solidarity with those whose lives are hardest. Information packs, the 17th October Newsletter and the illustrated book Stories of Struggle and Solidarity. about this UN Day are available.