International Decade and Day for the Eradication of Poverty

In 1995 the United Nations General Assembly announced the decade 1997-2006 to be the first Decade for the Eradication of Poverty. The theme of the decade is "Eradicating poverty is an ethical, social, political and economic imperative of humankind". The objective is to promote awareness among governments and decision-makers in all countries of the need to fight poverty in the world, especially in developing countries.

Also one day a year - October 17 - has been dedicated to the theme. In 1992 the General Assembly declared this day to be the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. In doing so the Assembly followed up on an already existing tradition among a number of NGOs to observe October 17 as World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty.

For more information, visit the UN Website's Events Section: http://www.un.org/events/ref41.htm