- ATD Fourth World

On October 17th, 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 the 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
Reproduction of the engraved Commemorative Stone at Trocadéro Plaza-Paris.

20 years of history

On October 17th, 1987, through the initiative of the International Movement ATD Fourth World, 100,000 people were gathered around these words carved in the marble of the Commemorative Stone in Honour of Victims of Extreme Poverty in the Trocadero Human Rights Plaza in Paris, where the Human Rights Declaration was signed in 1948.

Since then, the Commemorative Stone has become, each October 17th, a gathering point for numerous people throughout the world. They gather to affirm publicly that extreme poverty undermines human dignity. Consequently, they make a personal commitment to join forces in abolishing poverty. Coming from all walks of life, some of the people who gather live in extreme poverty and survive on a day-to-day basis. Others represente public, local, national and international institutions.

On December 22, 1992, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared the 17th of October the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

This Day is the opportunity to honour the pride and courage of the people living in extreme poverty. It is also a chance to express solidarity with them.

Throughout the world, approximately thirty replicas of the Commemorative Stone in Paris have been inaugurated (three of them in Canada) in many other symbolic locations, such as in neighbourhoods struggling against poverty as well as within international bodies and renowned cultural sites.

Plan for the future

The World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty will celebrate its 20th year in 2007. The official recognition of this day by the United Nations in 1992 will celebrate its 15th anniversary at that time. The year 2006 will mark the end of the first International Decade of the United Nations for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006). Adding to these the Millennium Declaration thus the Millennium Goals, we can see that the world has made the fight against poverty a priority.

So, after the declarations of all these good intentions, what is the present state of this fight against poverty and social exclusion? What kinds of new commitments and mobilisations will be created in the future?

An international process to measure the impact of the 17th of October

For us, these anniversaries represent an opportunity to stop and to reflect on what this Day has become and what it has succeeded in achieving for the eradication of poverty. Furthermore, they make it possible to project ourselves in the future, by allowing us to determine with our partners the goals and orientations of this Day so that it can continue to support the development of a genuine culture which fights poverty.

What kinds of changes, mobilisations, and shifts in mentality has the 17th of October brought about? What creative energy has it stirred? What can we see in terms of progress that allows us to think that we are contributing to the decline of poverty? Has this Day allowed a change of outlook and an increasing participation of people living in extreme poverty? Are there any changes to make?

An International Pilot Committee, co-chaired by the International Movement ATD Fourth World and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, will oversee the process. Competent scientific advisors will assist us in relying on objective data, thus ensuring a stringent process.

Eight countries, from five continents (including Canada , throughout its provinces and particularly Quebec) will make for a more comprehensive study by the various partners taking part in the process.

The conclusions of the studies conducted by those involved in this process will be presented during an International Seminar which will take place in Montreal, from May 22 to 26, 2006 at Villa St. Martin.

This Seminar organised by ATD Fourth World Movement Canada and its partners will bring together approximately sixty participants for five days and will involve the strong participation of people living in extreme poverty.

The outcome will inspire the General Assembly of the United Nations to follow up the Decade for the Eradication of Poverty in December 2006 with actions such as: a public event, which will be organised in the United Nations building in New York to communicate the outcome of this Seminar and to encourage the wide adoption of the measures discussed. By bringing about new commitments, this would thereby intensify the fight against poverty.

The process in Quebec and in Canada:

Since 1987, October 17th is celebrated more and more in Quebec and in Canada. In 2004, there were events held in more than 35 cities, mostly in Quebec but also in New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. This is why Canada is one of the countries where the impact of October 17th will be assessed among those who experience poverty as well as the whole of society. This is also why the International Seminar will be held in Montreal in recognition of the commitment to respect the human rights of all those involved

20 years of future

Measuring the impact of this day will allow us to envision more effective ways to:

• Support projects to fight against poverty;
• Identify tools to implement and new partners to mobilise; and
• Create an agreement with the partners of this Day about their orientations and especially the priority for people living in extreme poverty.