UN Virtual Event on The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

UN virtual event on October 17th, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, with the following theme: “Building forward together: Ending persistent poverty, respecting all people and our planet”

Marie-Françoise Salesiani-Payet, our UN representative in Geneva, was invited to participate in this virtual event, along with Ambre Sionneau from the CGI’s Secretariat.

During this virtual event, activists living in poverty shared their experience and local initiatives. The message was clear: people living in poverty are unfairly harmed by climate change. Their work often depends on natural resources, biodiversity and agriculture. Environmental impoverishment leads to migration. Children are particularly affected and live in fear every day.  

Speakers were asked about possible solutions to end poverty. They all agreed that climate action and the fight against poverty should be part of a common and sustainable solution. Inequality is a barrier to an ecological transition; but the latter can create jobs and opportunities, and contribute to reducing discrimination. Moreover, people living in poverty must be actively encouraged to be in the front, with meaningful participation in decision-making and problem-solving processes. We must listen to them and learn from them.

Everyone has the right to live in dignity, in a peaceful and healthy environment. Yet, everyone is responsible for their choices, and every choice counts. Speakers optimistically stated that the poor believe in the future and in mankind.

As Achim Steiner (UNDP administrator) rightly pointed out, we have to think about poverty every day, not only on the days set aside for it. This goes directly to the heart of Vincentians, since poverty has risen significantly in a generation.

Click here to watch the full event: https://www.un.org/development/desa/socialperspectiveondevelopment/international-day-for-the-eradication-of-poverty-homepage/2021-2.html