Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
October 17 is the United Nations’ International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The theme this year for the day is “Ending social and institutional maltreatment by ensuring respect and effective support for families.”
The observance of this day can be traced back to 17 October 1987. On that day, over a hundred thousand people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger.
Looking at the issue of poverty statistically, more than 700 million people — or 10 per cent of the global population — still live in extreme poverty, which means they are surviving on less than $1.90 a day. That said, as we are aware, Poverty is about more than a lack of income. It has a range of different socioeconomic dimensions, including: the ability to access services and social protection measures and to express opinions and choice; the power to negotiate; and social status, decent work and opportunities.
For New Zealand too, this observance is essential in addressing the roots of socioeconomic disparities. According to the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services, approximately 385,000 children in the country live in poverty, highlighting the need for concerted efforts to tackle this issue locally and support those living in disadvantaged situations. I wonder how we can engage in antipoverty issues at a local level. I am inviting you to explore together.
Nga mihi nui
Yukiko
