Understanding to act :

Joseph Wresinski (1917–1988)

The inspiration behind October 17 Joseph Wresinski was born to immigrant parents in a poor neighborhood of Angers, France. He grew up in a family that suffered from chronic poverty and social exclusion. In 1946, he was ordained as a priest and served in industrial and...

“I Bear Witness to You”

Joseph Wresinski’s Address Text available in german, portuguese. Joseph Wresinski’s Address October 17, 1987 Human rights Plaza, Paris. You, the millions and millionsof children, women and fatherswho have died from misery and hungerand whose legacy we hold.It is not...

Commemorative Stone in honour of victims of extreme poverty

OCTOBER 17, 1987,ON THIS DAY, DEFENDERS OF HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTSFROM EVERY CONTINENT GATHERED HERE.THEY PAID HOMAGE TO THE VICTIMS OF HUNGER,IGNORANCE AND VIOLENCE. THEY AFFIRMEDTHEIR CONVICTION THAT HUMAN MISERY IS NOT INEVITABLE.THEY PLEDGED THEIR SOLIDARITY WITH...

International Charter for 17 October

Extracts of the Charter available in German With the growing recognition given to the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, there is a need and a responsibility to ensure that its message and deep meaning are respected and preserved, in accordance with the...

History of October 17

From 1987, the date of the first gathering, to the present day... On October 17, 1987, in reply to Father Joseph Wresinski's appeal, 100,000 defenders of human rights gathered together on the Trocadero Plaza in Paris to honour victims of hunger, violence, and...

Education Kit:

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Engagement Tools:

Let’s choose the theme for October 17, 2025, together!

Last year, we selected the umbrella theme for 2024 and 2025, which is "Ending social and institutional maltreatment". This year, we are pleased to launch the consultation process to choose the sub-theme for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in 2025....

Promoting Youth Participation in Local Governance

This is the second article in our series on the participation of people directly affected by extreme poverty. It discusses an advocacy document written by the members of the Association of Young Entrepreneurs of Bonassama (AJE), a member of our Forum based in Douala...

The Stakes of Participation

“ My secret is: have an amazing group. That’s it. Give them the topic and let them talk, because they are amazing . ” This is the first article in our series on the participation of people directly impacted by poverty. It highlights the consultation process for...

Participation, so that every voice is heard and valued

In the coming weeks, we propose to publish on the Forum on Overcoming Extreme Poverty website a few articles on the participation of people in extreme poverty. This participation can be the driving force for profound and lasting change, benefiting society as a whole....

The Gorée Declaration

On October 18, 2024, the International Committee for October 17, gathered at the end of its 10th biennial meeting in Dakar, came together at the House of Slaves, on Gorée Island, to reveal a solemn Declaration. “We, the members of the International Committee for...

International poster for October 17, 2024

Our common theme for 2024 and 2025 is Ending social and institutional maltreatment. Through a consultation process, we continue to invite people who live in poverty and those who join forces with them to explore these topics. On 17 October, this will unite us and...

Concept note October 17, 2024

The concept note of the International Committee October 17 is ready. It is the result of a consultation carried out in February with the Forum on Overcoming Extreme Poverty network. This consultation enabled us to prepare the theme of the Day. The concept note is an...

Media (photos/videos):

Dignity Voices

30 Podcasts to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty An amazing path that we can retrace with these podcasts, presented by the members of the International Committee for October 17. Listen to the...

A Cry for Peace

Bernard Monnet, Fourth World activist and member of the International 17 October Committee speaks at the public day during the 2022 meeting of the International 17 October Committee at the EESC. The stone sentence is a project and the participation of very poor people...