October 17 is the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty. It has been commemorated since 1987, when, at the call of Joseph Wresinski, thousands of people from all walks of life gathered on the Trocadero square in Paris to affirm:

“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.”

In 1992, October 17 was recognized as an international day by the United Nations. Since then, people all over the world have mobilized to publicly remind people that men and women can put an end to extreme poverty.

In 2024, October 17 is an opportunity to emphasize that we need to act together to aim for “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment.”