United Nations Celebration Theme 2018

Every 24th day of October, the United Nations is celebrating their United Nations Week, which runs from 20 to 26 October. As part of this celebration, In 1948, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 24 as the anniversary of the Charter of the United Nation which aims to be devoted in making known to the people of the world the aims and achievements of the United Nations and to gaining their support for its work. 

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with the themeThe theme focuses on the importance of recalling the fundamental connection between outmost poverty and human rights, and that people living in poverty are disproportionately affected by many human rights violations. In February 1987, Joseph Wresinski, one of the first persons to highlight this direct link between human rights and extreme poverty appealed to the Human Rights Commission to examine the question of extreme poverty and human rights and eloquently captured the nexus between human rights and extreme poverty with his profound observation: “Wherever men and women are condemned to live in extreme poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty.” 

The continuation of the unending poverty, is one of the  major concerns for the United Nations and, at its 72nd session. It is important that the Third Decade’s inter-agency, system-wide plan of action to coordinate the poverty eradication efforts of the United Nations system includes an effective partnership with people living with poverty.

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty can strongly complement such initiatives because it aims to ensure that the active participation of people living in extreme poverty and those furthest behind is a driving force in all efforts made to overcome poverty, including in the design and implementation of programmers and policies which affect them. Only by creating and nurturing a genuine partnership with people living with poverty will it be possible to build an inclusive world where all people can enjoy their full human rights and lead lives with dignity.

References:

https://www.un.org/development/desa/socialperspectiveondevelopment/international-day-for-the-eradication-of-poverty-homepage/2018-2.html
http://www.un.org/en/events/povertyday/
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/international-day-for-