Meeting with Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro - Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
With the United Nations
- United Nations Draft Guiding Principles - "Extreme Poverty and Human Rights: The Rights of the Poor"
- 61st Annual Department of Public Information and the NGO community Conference
(Photos provided by the UN)
In December 2007, the UN General Assembly proclaimed the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017), the mandate of which will be adopted during the next session of the General Assembly. During the meeting with Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and ATD Fourth World, Eugen Brand affirmed that the participation of people experiencing social exclusion and extreme poverty are key conditions for the success of the Second Decade.
The poorest and most excluded people are often invisible, misunderstood and rarely considered. They are often unable to participate in the debate about the future of our societies – on issues such as peace, the economy, communication or climate change. This is why it is necessary to join them in their daily efforts to tackle extreme poverty, and to regard them as essential agents of change rather than recipients of aid.
Within the framework of the next Decade, ATD Fourth World is requesting a strong mandate and plan of action with a five year review, which not only stresses that the participation of people in extreme poverty is a priority, but also creates a robust mechanism to measure it.
ATD Fourth World also asked that the international community and member states reinforce the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, October 17th.
Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro affirmed that sustainable social development is possible only if the international community acts within a framework of human rights.
