The eradication of poverty has become a development priority. At the Millennium Summit, world leaders committed to cutting by half by the year 2015, the number of people living in extreme poverty (those whose income is less than a dollar a day). Poverty is seen as a violation of human rights. The 17th October has therefore become a day where we acknowledge the struggle of those living in poverty and is a chance for them to have their voices heard.

The UN has designated the 17th October each year, to be the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. It aims to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries, particularly developing countries.  The day was founded by the General Assembly in 1993.