Above: October 17, 2024 in Dakar, Senegal

New York City, a small crowd gathers around a commemorative stone dedicated to the victims of extreme poverty. Together, they observe a moment of silence. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they are united by a shared commitment to overcoming poverty and ending social injustice. On this day, October 17th, which marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, they have come together to hear from ATD Fourth World members— people with firsthand experience of poverty who are actively working to support others facing similar challenges and those who work alongside them.

On the other side of the ocean in Dakar, Senegal, other members of ATD Fourth World gathered earlier on the same day, awaiting the bus that would take them to la Place du Souvenir Africain (The African Memorial Square). There, they would meet other participants to discuss the challenges and institutional neglect that families face when trying to obtain birth certificates for their children. They would share successful strategies adopted by professionals from various organisations dedicated to tackling this issue.

October 17th commemorations took place around the world under the theme of institutional maltreatment. These two events stood out in particular: the gathering in Dakar organized by the International Committee for October 17th and the assembly at the UN in New York, which carried both local and international significance.

Sustainable Development Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Every year, it is essential to draw the attention of the international community to the reality that extreme poverty is a massive, global issue affecting all of humanity. Within the context of Sustainable Development Goal 1, there is still much work to be done.

ATD Fourth World members from around the globe gathered in these two places to bear witness to the reality of people in poverty, their struggles, and the solutions that they are developing.

The theme of the Dakar webinar focused specifically on legal identity, with the slogan: I was born — I exist — Add me to the list. In the second part of the webinar, professionals from organizations such as UNICEF and ACPF emphasized their commitment to prioritizing individuals living in extreme poverty, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Highlights from the Dakar webinar:

The event at the UN took place in the chamber of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, featured contributions from various activists in New York, Switzerland, and Tanzania. Their insights highlighted the common challenges faced by people living in poverty and facilitated interactions with different institutions to address these issues.

In two distinct contexts, individuals with lived experiences of poverty face institutional maltreatment regarding rights that many consider fundamental. By holding these events on an international scale, we unite in a common mission to encourage institutions to treat people with dignity and care.

Local and international

In Dakar, the commemoration went beyond the webinar. It began the day before, when the group gathered at the Grand Yoff town hall, where ATD Fourth World conducts some of its activities. The commemoration instilled a sense of hope, as participants shared successful examples of initiatives already implemented in Senegal to ensure the legal recognition of children. On October 18th, the group, following in the footsteps of ATD Fourth World’s founder, Joseph Wresinski, visited Gorée Island. Not long after the first commemoration on October 17, 1987, Wresinski visited the Maison des Esclaves (House of Slaves) on the island, leaving a lasting impression on the curators of that time.

He wrote:

“Today, millions of men, women, and children say ‘no’ to extreme poverty and shame because the people of yesterday, treated as slaves by the powerful, knew in their hearts that they were human beings. Countless people have died over three centuries so that this would never be forgotten.”

Joseph Wresinski

To ensure that this heritage impacts future generations, ATD Fourth World signed a contract with the conservator of the Maison des Esclaves so that the plaque is part of the guided tour and that it will be maintained by the establishment.

In New York, emotions were stirred by ALBA Musik’s musical interpretation of the song “Rise Up” by Audra Day. Subsequently, Nancy Santos, the director of the international organisation Project Access, delivered a speech outlining the organisation’s mission and its efforts to prevent and combat institutional maltreatment. She says, “We want to empower [students] to know they do matter […] by supporting people, building them up, and ending the social maltreatment of stigma and shame surrounding food insecurity.”

Asha Mohamed, an ATD Fourth World Activist from Tanzania, shared her insights during her speech. She explained, “Institutional maltreatment means not having rights and a voice in decisions made by the government or social organisations. Often, when people living in poverty deal with institutions, they find themselves judged, ruled, and controlled — a situation that muffles their voices and the result is the denial of their rights.” She adds,

“In my community, there are acts of solidarity among people living in poverty. This helps us feel strong [enough] to strengthen ourselves in our daily struggle. But we also need society and institutions to fulfil their responsibilities.”

Asha Mohamed, ATD Fourth World Activist from Tanzania

Continuing the conversation in 2025 to put an end to institutional maltreatment

The theme for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, focusing on institutional maltreatment, allowed worldwide attention to be brought to this problem that keeps people in a situation of poverty. The international community, the representatives of UN member states, and partners are made aware of the challenges faced by families.

The examples of projects that allow people living in poverty to participate and respect the dignity of all inspire people to continue to make efforts to ensure that it’s respected.

And the work continues. To follow up on the event in Dakar, a series of webinars throughout 2025 will allow participants to explore the subject in more depth at a global, regional, and national level. The series amplifies the voices of families in poverty, sharing strategies for universal birth registration and fostering partnerships for action.

To learn more about the events in New York and Dakar:

Read the message from Antonio Guterres for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2024
Watch the commemoration at the United Nations
Watch a recording of the webinar in Dakar