Join BRAC in Commemorating World Poverty Day

BRAC invites all friends and supporters to commemorate this year’s World Poverty Day by focusing on children’s plight to forge pathways out of poverty.


If you're in Bangladesh this Friday, October 16, we invite you to join us at the historic grounds of Central Shahid Minar, Dhaka University. BRAC is organizing a series of events in Bangladesh with the theme of “Children and families speak out against poverty,” involving children, family members, educators, artists, photographers, media personnel and many others.

Over 300 Bangladeshi students from all backgrounds will come together to draw their respective visions of an ideal world fit for all children, free from poverty. Through this experience, BRAC seeks to inspire a mutual curiosity and respect for each other among the children. The event will also include musical and dance performances by the children and a closing ceremony attended by eminent members of civil society.

The celebration will also include a mobile photo exhibition, Portraits of Change, which depicts images of people from all across Bangladesh working to overcome poverty. The photographs were taken by students at Pathshala, the South Asian Institute of Photography. The exhibit will also be on display at several other prominent locations around Dhaka, Bangladesh during the following week.

Not able to attend the events in Bangladesh? You can still show us your support: All you need to do is draw your own picture of an ideal world fit for all children, free from poverty. Then scan the drawing and either email it to us at michelle@bracusa.org or fax at 1-212-808-0203. We'll publish a selection of drawings we receive on our blog.



The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was first observed on October 17, 1987 to honor the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger. According to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, poverty is a violation of human rights and affirms the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected. Since then, people of all backgrounds, beliefs and social origins have gathered every year from October 16-18 to renew their commitment and confirm their solidarity with the poor.

We hope that you'll join us in speaking out against poverty, either by attending the events in Bangladesh or sending in your own drawing of a world free from poverty.