The U.N.: More than Leaders Meeting

The United Nations (U.N,) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.   

First, the observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty can be traced back to October 17, 1987. On that day, over 100,000 people gathered at the Trocadero in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, to honor the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger. Together they proclaimed that poverty is a violation of human rights and affirmed the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected.  

Since then, people of all backgrounds, beliefs and social status have observed October 17 as a day to show their solidarity with the poor. Ending poverty is not just helping the poor, it is giving human being the chance to live with dignity. 

As the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, said, “poverty is a denial of human rights. Not only does it lead to a life of daily deprivation, hunger and suffering, but it also prevents the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms, which every human being should be able to enjoy without hindrance." 

The Meaning Behind U.N. Day

Also in October, United Nations Day takes place. It is an annual commemoration of the official creation of the United Nations, on 24 October 1945. The UN's Membership has grown from the original 51 Member States to the current 193 Member States, and the significance of United Nations Day lies in its celebration of diversity.  

It is an official global day to appreciate the diversity of cultures, religions, and languages all over the world. On this day, countries can come together to spread ideas of peace and a reminder of the importance of diversity, equality, unity, universal respect for justice and international law, human rights, fundamental freedoms.  

Both of these days resonate within the immigrant community, which is made up of people usually escaping violence, abuse, poverty, and other inhuman situations. Remembering that all people, especially children, deserve basic human rights and a chance for a peaceful life make these two days meaningful as we consider how immigration policies affect those seeking refuge or documented status. 

“The 70th anniversary of the United Nations is an opportunity to reflect- to look back on the UN’s history and take stock of its enduring achievements. It is also an opportunity to spotlight where the UN- and the international community as a whole- needs to redouble its efforts to meet current and future challenges across the three pillars of its work: peace and security, development, and human rights,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in remarks at the General Assembly on the U.N. 70th anniversary.  

How to Support U.N. Values

To learn how can you support the efforts of the U.N. to eradicate poverty and ensure every person has equal rights in our own home you can use The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) as a resource, this organization is “a movement of Americans who believe that our interests and values can best be advanced by standing with the planet’s only truly universal institution: The United Nations.”

Equally, you can join our daily effort to bring documented status to millions of eligible immigrants in the U.S. who cannot complete their USCIS process due to the fees charged. OPA is building a community of Americans and future citizens all working toward the greater good of our country. Together, we can help deserving immigrants achieve a better life filled with dignity and equality in the U.S.