Revue Quart Monde

Respecting the Spirit of October 17

Donald Lee

p. 59-60

Translation(s):
Respecter l’esprit du 17 octobre
Respetar el espíritu del 17 de octubre

References

Bibliographical reference

Donald Lee, « Respecting the Spirit of October 17 », Revue Quart Monde, 274 | 2025/2, 59-60.

Electronic reference

Donald Lee, « Respecting the Spirit of October 17 », Revue Quart Monde [Online], 274 | 2025/2, Online since 01 December 2025, connection on 08 October 2025. URL : https://www.revue-quartmonde.org/11796

Created with the inauguration of the commemorative stone in honour of the victims of poverty on 17 October 1987 and officially recognised by the United Nations in 1992, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is increasingly celebrated around the world. While this is certainly cause for celebration, we must nevertheless redouble our vigilance and efforts to ensure that the spirit of this day is respected. This is what the author of this article invites us to do in a message made public in October 2024.

October 17 is a special day for everyone, everywhere.

When we come together each year on October 17 in commemorations around the world we honor and respect the spirit of the day.

October 17 is the day when we gather for peace and human dignity in the spirit of the declaration engraved on the original commemorative stone on the Trocadero Plaza in Paris.

It is also a day for action when we — people from all walks of life alongside people with lived experience of poverty — gather to renew our commitment to the Call to Action issued by Joseph Wresinski on October 17, 1987.

October 17 is the day when we recognize that people living in poverty are active defenders of human rights. We recognize their daily commitments, undertaken with others, to defend and respect the dignity of every person.

The day includes speeches, testimonies, and other contributions from people living in extreme poverty, as integral parts of any gathering or initiative. These contributions provide a better understanding o...

Donald Lee

A former senior United Nations official, Donald Lee was President of the International Committee for 17 October, World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty, from 2010 to 2018. He is currently President of the International Movement ATD Fourth World.

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