United Nations’ Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Invitation to mark the UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October at Dublin’s Docklands

The Irish 17 October Committee (www.17october.ie) invites you to join people from all walks of life and from every sector of society who will come together to express solidarity with people experiencing poverty and social exclusion.

The UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty Commemoration – beginning on Friday 17 October at 11am close to the Famine Memorial on Custom House Quay, Dublin – is an opportunity for people and communities to have their voices heard through personal testimonies from people who experience poverty, as well as through music, stories, and presentations from school children. Different people will share their experiences and hopes.

The 2014 UN theme of the Day is :“Leave No One Behind: Think, Decide and Act Together Against Extreme Poverty”. “Leave No One Behind”- means putting an end to discrimination based on social disadvantage, and ensuring that no one is forgotten in our efforts to build a more equitable world. “Think, Decide and Act Together Against Extreme Poverty”- means deciding to do what it takes to ensure that people living in extreme poverty become the primary partners in programmes to overcome poverty and promote development. Only by working together with them will we be able to ensure that no one is left out.

Follow news about the UN day in Ireland and worldwide: @17octcomIRL and on www.17october.ie – Tweet and support the worldwide mobilisation: #EndPoverty – Join the Thunderclap http://thndr.it/1sxLiS0 : you can sign up to donate your social media profile (Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr) so that a message will be sent out all around the world all at the same time (17 October at 1:00 pm NY City time – just as the event at the United Nations is beginning): – A Poster to invite around you can be downloaded at www.17october.ie/?p=371

Irish National 17 October Committee
www.17october.ie – Follow us @17octcomIRL
Drawing of 17 October Commemorative Stone,
Custom House Quay, Dublin by Joe Connolly
Draft Programme – Commemoration of the UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty
17 October 2014, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1 – from 11.00am to 1.30pm
10.30 am A Display at the commemoration place ,showing maps of the events taking place in Ireland & worldwide + an
Exhibition of art work created by different Irish projects to mark the UN Day.
10.35 am – Drumming group from O’Connell Secondary School students accompanied by a saxophonist
10.58 am – Songs by children from St Laurence O’Toole School ,North Wall
11.00 am – Start of the Commemoration
Presentation of the Masters of the Ceremony by Martin Byrne
Welcome by the M.C.: Members from the Saol project with Belinda Hopkins
Address by Christy Burke, Lord Mayor of Dublin
Song ‘Lean on Me’ by students from Larkin Community College
Proclamation of Joseph Wresinski’s message engraved on the Commemorative Stone: “Wherever men andwomen are
condemned to live in poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights are respected is our
solemn duty.” in 4 languages: Original French, Irish, English and Polish
Contributions from the following community members
– Statement from a delegation of ATD Poland (in Polish + English translation)
– Testimony prepared with support of Migrant Rights Centre Ireland
– Testimony read by Paul prepared with support of Focus Ireland
Music interlude by Sergiu Pruteanu – Musicantia
– Testimony from the Roma Community
– Contribution from members of ATD Ireland
– Contribution from members of the North West Inner City Training and Development Project (NWICTDP)
Song by youth group from NYP2
Address from Emily Logan, Chief Commissioner Designate, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Designate
(TBC) Theatrical address of Joseph O’Connor’s piece “Apologies by the Taoiseach about the Direct Provision System”
Common gesture: Circle of placards “Leave No One Behind” and proclamation of “I Bear Witness to You” – Joseph
Wresinski’s address from 17 October 1987 by – Young people from the North Wall Community Training Centre.
Conclusion song: Working Man – the Coal Miners Song by the NWICTDP group
12.20 pm approxiamately. Closing address by the M.C.
12:45 approx.-Refreshments in Liberty Hall building (basement level) prepared by volunteers from the Dublin French
speaking community – with Tweeting session + showing of videos from SAOL project…

Photos