The International Committee for October 17 and Irish Community Groups Gather in Dublin to Promote International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Venue: Sheriff Youth Club, 1 Commons Street, North Wall, Dublin 1
Date: Wednesday, 14th May 2014. Time: 10.30am
In 1992, the United Nations recognised the 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Since then, governments, local authorities, members of civil society and the private sector have recognized the importance of this International Day, which has become a key rallying point for a growing number of citizens from all backgrounds and organizations, in the fight to eradicate extreme poverty.
Members of the International Committee for October 17 and Irish community groups will be meeting in Dublin for the first time on 14th May.
The International Committee and its plan of action were established in 2008 after a United Nations’ report on the observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The composition of this Committee includes people with first-hand experience of poverty.
The Committee oversees the annual UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty, and the meeting in Dublin is recognition of Ireland’s past and on-going commitment to the fight against poverty.
“This meeting is going to be a great opportunity to share the progress made in Ireland towards addressing poverty as a human rights issue and to highlight the challenges that we have to face in the coming years”, said Donald Lee, Chairperson of the International Committee, former Head of UN Division for Social Policy and Development. “It is going to be a unique occasion to reaffirm our commitment and to discuss new ways to collaborate.”
“They chose Dublin for this event because in many ways Ireland has exhibited strong commitment to the central message of the UN Day”, a long term activist on social issues in Dublin City, Sean Dunne explained. “For example, for many years the Department for Social Protection has supported the promotion of UN Day through grants to organisations and community groups and that is something remarkable.”
Local organisations will also participate in the gathering to highlight the difficulties and achievements of people whose daily lives are affected by poverty and social exclusion.
The event will take place at the Sheriff Youth Club in Dublin north inner city, and will also include a commemorative rally at the 17 October Human Rights and Poverty Stone in Custom House Quay, Dublin 1.
You can support the event and join in the conversation by following the hashtag #EndPoverty or @icoct17 on Twitter and posting the following message on social accounts:
To tweet this message, follow the link: http://ctt.ec/anH35
The event at Sheriff Youth Club is included in the general programme of the Irish Natonal Volunteering Week 2014. The 14th May gathering will be a opportunity to recruit volunteers to help prepare the next 17 October events in Ireland.
Press information kit to download
Profiles of International Committee members
Programme for the 14th May public event
For further information, contact Pierre 089 440 15 23