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Beirut, 15
October 2003 (United Nations Information Service)--
On the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of
Poverty (17 October), the United Nations Economic and Social
Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the World Bank Office in
Beirut are holding a meeting on 20 October 2003 at the United
Nations House, Riad Solh Square, Beirut.
Following the opening, which will take place at 12:30 pm on
Monday, the event will witness three panel discussions on Food
Security in the Region; Right-based Approach to Poverty in the
ESCWA Region; and Combating Poverty in Lebanon.
Participants in the meeting will be officials concerned with the
issue of the eradication of poverty; chiefs of diplomatic missions
accredited to Lebanon; representatives of local, Arab, and
international non-governmental organizations concerned with
poverty issues; representatives of United Nations agencies; and
concerned experts and academics.
It is worth noting that in 1992 the United Nations General
Assembly declared 17 October as the International Day for the
Eradication of Poverty. The observance aims to promote awareness
of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries,
particularly in developing countries -- a need that has become a
development priority.
The General Assembly also proclaimed the decade 1997-2006 as the
first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty. The
Decade's main objective is eradicating absolute poverty and
reducing overall poverty substantially in the world. The theme for
the Decade is "Eradicating Poverty is an Ethical, Social,
Political and Economic Imperative of Humankind". Furthermore, in
December 2003, the General Assembly decided to establish a world
solidarity fund for poverty eradication and the promotion of human
and social development in developing countries.
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