Commemorative stone

Commemorative stone in honour of victims of extreme poverty

OCTOBER 17, 1987,

ON THIS DAY, 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 EXTREME POVERTY, HUMAN RIGHTS ARE VIOLATED. TO COME TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT THESE RIGHTS BE RESPECTED IS OUR SOLEMN DUTY.”

FATHER JOSEPH WRESINSKI

Translation of the text on the Commemorative Stone in Honour of Victims of Extreme Poverty laid on the Liberties and Human Rights Plaza in Paris, France. This stone has been replicated in public places in many countries including Belgium, Burkina Faso, Canada, Germany, Philippines, Portugal Reunion Island, Switzerland, and the United States of America.

On 17th October 1987, in the presence of 100,000 people from diverse social backgrounds and many countries, Father Joseph Wresinski, founder of ATD Fourth World, unveiled a commemorative stone in the Trocadero Human Rights Plaza in Paris.

Since then the commemorative stone has become a gathering point for people from all walks of life. They gather to bear witness to the poorest people in the world and to make a personal commitment to join forces with them in abolishing poverty and social exclusion.

October 17th was declared "World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty" by the United Nations in 1992. People in different countries have begun the practice of gathering each 17th of each month, renewing their commitment to human rights for the poorest.

Discover the replicas of the Commemorative Stone around the world.