We are pleased to announce the appointment of 6 new members to the International Committee for October 17. The Committee was established in 2008 to promote and support the observance of the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty, observed on October 17th each year, recognised as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty by the United Nations.
The composition of this committee is unique, with members coming from different regions of the world and from diverse backgrounds, including people with first-hand experience of poverty. Our six new members are Bani Dugal (India/USA), Abir El Hajj Rizk (Syria/Lebanon), Joan Nyanyuki (Kenya), Lopé Santos III (Philippines), Cyprien Ugirumurera (Rwanda) and Toni Wren (Australia).
Aye Aye Win, President of the International Committee, in announcing the appointments said “I am absolutely delighted to welcome all our six new members who are passionate advocates and champions of justice, human rights and dignity. They bring with them diverse skill sets, a wealth of experience, knowledge and wisdom that will enable the committee to deliver on its mandate and reach new heights.”
“We will not be saying farewell to our outstanding outgoing members as they will continue to support the work of the committee in the months and years to come in their areas of expertise. ICO17 is a growing family, all united, doing our best and working tirelessly together to help end poverty.”
There will be a transition period of 8 months between the outgoing members of the committee and the incoming new members who will take office at the 11th biannual meeting of the International Committee in France in June 2026.
For more information, please contact:
Evelyne de Mevius, [email protected]
To know more
The International Committee for October 17 was established in 2008 with the following goals: to promote the 17 of October as International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, as recognised by the United Nations, uniting those who are striving together to end poverty; to promote the observance of the 17 of October in its original spirit; and, to promote opportunities where people from a variety of backgrounds, including those whose lives are most difficult, can work together in the fight against extreme poverty as a violation of Human Rights.
(https://overcomingpoverty.org/international-committee-for-october-17/)
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was first celebrated as the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty at a major public rally held on the 17 of October 1987 in Paris, where one hundred thousand people from all backgrounds responded to a call from Father Joseph Wresinski, founder of ATD Fourth World, to gather at the Plaza of Liberties and Human Rights. On this day, a declaration was engraved on a Commemorative Stone proclaiming that extreme poverty is a violation of human rights and affirming the need for all people to unite to ensure that these rights are respected.
(https://overcomingpoverty.org/history-of-october-17/)
In 1992, the United Nations proclaimed the 17th of October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Since then, governments, local authorities, members of civil society and the private sector have recognised the importance of this International Day, which has become a key rallying point for a growing number of citizens and organizations from all backgrounds, in the fight to eradicate extreme poverty.
(https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/159182/files/A_RES_47_196-EN.pdf)