The 34th Commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was held at United Nations Headquarters in New York on October 16, bringing together international organizations, diplomats, advocates, community leaders, and civil society representatives to discuss poverty, human dignity, social justice, and the fundamental right to housing.
Although the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is officially observed annually on October 17, the commemorative event was held a day earlier. Star Cleopatra Fitzgerald® attended the commemoration and wore a red United Nations Gender Equality lanyard as a symbol of peace, inclusion, and equal opportunity. The gesture reflected the broader vision expressed throughout the event that reducing inequality, promoting human rights, and advancing gender equality are important components in the global effort to eradicate poverty and build more just and inclusive societies.
Speakers highlighted the close relationship between housing, health, education, employment, and overall well-being, emphasizing that access to safe and affordable housing is essential for individuals and families to live with dignity and security. Several presentations focused on the consequences of homelessness and housing insecurity, explaining how inadequate housing can trap individuals and families in cycles of poverty, reinforce inequality, and negatively affect mental and physical health. Many stressed that access to decent work, affordable housing, clean water, electricity, heating, and adequate nutrition should not be viewed as privileges but as basic necessities that support human development and social stability.
Participants also discussed the growing challenges affecting housing worldwide, including population growth, conflict, displacement, urbanization, environmental degradation, climate change, natural disasters, poor governance, and social exclusion. Speakers described how war, insecurity, human rights violations, heavy rainfall, soil erosion, and forced migration continue to displace vulnerable populations and increase pressure on housing systems. Despite these challenges, solidarity and cooperation remain powerful tools for supporting affected communities and promoting long-term solutions.
Personal testimonies added a human dimension to the discussion. One speaker reflected on the difficulties of raising seven children while struggling with inadequate housing, illustrating how stable shelter serves as a foundation for family security and well-being. Others discussed that individuals experiencing poverty should not be criminalized or penalized because of their circumstances. Instead, governments and institutions were encouraged to develop practical policies, opportunities, and support systems that help individuals secure stable housing and improve their living conditions.
Fitzgerald noted that housing should not be forced but remain available as an option for those who seek it. Housing environments should be safe, secure, and free from violence, criminal activity, drug abuse, prostitution, corruption, and other conditions that endanger residents or undermine community well-being. Unsafe housing conditions can leave residents vulnerable to coercion, forced prostitution, trafficking, and other criminal activities, making resident safety a fundamental housing priority. People should seek assistance and request access to available housing programs or emergency shelters, NYC 311 Services, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Emergency Intake Centers, Homebase Prevention Offices, NYC Housing Connect and HPD Portal, Domestic Violence Crisis Hotlines, Family Court Help Centers and Legal Aid Clinics, Human Resources Administration (HRA) Job Centers and SNAP Offices, Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and Family Support Centers, Department for the Aging (DFTA) Network, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Resources, Community-Based Non-Profit Networks and social services.
A particularly inspiring address was delivered by Patrick Lubin, who spoke about the importance of peace of mind and personal security. He remarked on the challenges faced by individuals living in environments affected by crime, substance abuse, and instability, while reaffirming that all people deserve safe and dignified living conditions. Speakers repeatedly said that housing should not be denied because of unemployment or financial hardship and that no individual should be forced to live in unsafe housing conditions.
Discussions also included the role of the Sustainable Development Goals in addressing poverty and inequality. Speakers underlined the need for fair public policies, resilient infrastructure, affordable clean-energy solutions, technological innovation, and strengthened global cooperation. They noted that creating safer communities requires addressing corruption, reducing exclusion, and ensuring access to opportunities that empower individuals and families.
Former French Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont reflected on the principles of Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité, describing how the values of the French Republic align with broader international efforts to promote dignity, equality, and solidarity. His remarks pinpointed the importance of political commitment, social progress, and respect for economic, social, cultural, and civil rights in advancing the vision of the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He spoke about the role of public servants, community leaders, private initiatives, and concerned citizens in promoting human dignity and addressing the persistent gap between wealth and poverty.
The event was moderated by Bani Dugal and Thani Brown and was made possible by a coalition of organizations including ATD Fourth World International, the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UN-Habitat, LP4Y, MAIN, and the Bahá’í International Community.
Following the formal program, attendees gathered outside in the United Nations North Garden, where several significant sculptures and memorials are located, including the commemorative stone dedicated to victims of extreme poverty, where attendees paid their respects in a moment of collective silence. Then, participants listened to additional remarks and joined together in a unity song, bringing the commemoration to a meaningful conclusion while reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing human dignity, social justice, equality, and the eradication of poverty worldwide. The gathering served as a reminder that addressing poverty requires collective action, policies, and a continued commitment to ensuring that every individual can live in safety, dignity, and hope.
UN Video of the event for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1r/k1rmw9tiuo
