Observing the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

"How can we bridge the gap from poverty to decent work? By investing in economic social policies that foster job creation; promoting decent labor conditions and deepening social protection systems. Access to education, public health and job training is also essential." - United Nations Secretary General, BAN Ki-Moon

On October 17, the United Nations and concerned citizens around the world will recognize the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The observance of this day began on October 17, 1987, at the Trocadero in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948. Since that day people of all faith traditions and backgrounds have gathered on October 17 to renew their commitment to the poor of the world.

To listen to the political dialogue one would assume the poor do not exist. Instead, every effort must be to help the middle class.

The World Bank and the ONE Campaign provide the following sober statistics:

• 3 billion people live on less than $2 a day;
• 30,000 children die each day due to poverty - that is one child every three seconds;
• Food prices have risen 83 percent since 2005, disproportionately affecting those in poverty who spend a higher percentage of their income on food.

What can we do?

Let your senators/representatives know that you support US food aid programs. We need less money for military aid to countries and more humanitarian aid.

The World Summit in Copenhagen stressed the importance of the following efforts:

• Ensuring people are equal before the law.
• Carrying out policies with a view to equalization of opportunities.
• Expanding and improving access to basic services.
• Providing equal opportunities in public-sector employment.
• Encouraging formation of cooperatives and community-based institutions.
• Minimize negative effects of structural adjustment programs.
• Promoting full access to preventive and curative health care.
• Expanding basic education, improving its quality, enhancing access to formal and non-formal learning, ensuring equal access to education of girls.

Together our voices can make a difference.