Immediate Release: Oct 12 2010: Contact: 289-221-0928
Event: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
AKA – World Day to End Extreme Poverty
Location: Fairy Lake Park, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada (Water Street and Eagle Street)
Time: 1-7PM; Main-stage Performers – 5PM
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada –
Expect to smell food, and hear hear music & traditional drumming upon arriving as Newmarket plays host to York Region Ontario’s International Day to Eradicate Poverty this Sunday, October 17th, at Fairy Lake Park from 1 Pm until 7PM with free hot food / soup served up from 1-2pm, information booths, “starving artists” performing path-side, a children’s area, main-stage speakers and performers, and a mic for those wishing to speak out about poverty. The internationally marked event was first recognized by the United Nations in 1992 but was inspired and started by a Frenchman named Joseph Wreneski as World Day to End Extreme Poverty.
Joseph Wresinski was born to immigrant parents in a poor neighbourhood of Angers, France. He grew up in a family which suffered from chronic poverty and social exclusion. In 1946, he was ordained as a priest and served in industrial and rural parishes where, right from the beginning, he related to the most deprived families.
In 1956, he was assigned chaplain to 250 families in an emergency housing camp in Noisy-le-Grand, near Paris. The families lived in quonset (nissan) huts erected in a muddy field. He said about his years in Noisy-le-Grand: “The families in that camp have inspired everything I have undertaken for their liberation. They took hold of me, they lived within me, they carried me forward, they pushed me to found the Movement with them.”
In 1957, Joseph Wresinski and the families of the camp founded the first association which was later to become ATD Fourth World. Responding to the demands of the families and working with them, the soup kitchen and the distribution of old clothes were replaced with a library, kindergarten, chapel and workshop. Joseph Wresinski’s firm purpose was to unite all sections of society with the poorest and most excluded. With this aim he met leaders of state, churches and international bodies from all over the world. He believed that every person he met represented an opportunity for the poorest and was determined that the Movement would remain open to people of all cultures, faiths and races.
His appointment to France’s Economic and Social Council in 1979 was a significant step in his quest for official representation of people in extreme poverty. With the publication of the Wresinski Report in 1987, he succeeded in gaining recognition of people in poverty as partners in society.
On 17 October 1987, in the presence of 100,000 people from every social background and continent, Joseph Wresinski unveiled a commemorative stone in the Trocadero Human Rights Plaza in Paris. On this marble, his call is engraved: “Wherever men and women are condemned to live in poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty.”
Since then the commemorative stone has become a rallying point for people from all walks of life.
October 17th was declared “International Day for the Eradication of Poverty” by the United Nations in 1992. In several countries, on the 17th of each month, people gather to acknowledge the lives and efforts of those living in extreme poverty, and to renew their commitment to join them in their struggle.
Since the York Region event has been held, from 2005, it has evolved from a soapbox and a microphone for performers and speakers to envelope beautiful Fairy Lake Park in Newmarket, and now includes an opportunity for singers, composers, musicians and other performers to play original works on a stage and at the same time keep the message of ending poverty alive beyond just October 17th.
In 2008 Newmarket town council approved, officially endorsing the day, and agreed to a permanent marker on site at Fairy Lake Park with regional council representative John Taylor unveiling the plaque in 2009 – with its own commemorative rock – representative of the stone statue in France – along with Mayor Van Bynen.
2010’s York Region event will again offer free hot fresh food and some information booths including information from the Legal Clinic of York Region, The Housing Help Centre, York Region Food Network, Ninos Kom Tin ( aboriginal), Make Poverty History, Poverty Action for Change Coalition, and others with it’s most expanding element being in the arts segments.
This year the event is allowing “starving musicians” to line the paths surrounding the event to add to the atmosphere and split anything raised with the organizers to help pay for the event. A main-stage is also part of the events features , not only used for the speakers but also for an “ Open Mic” session for performers doing pieces relating to poverty followed by Feature Acts including : Ninos Kom Tin drummers/singers, Composer/ Singer – Guitarists Glen Marais, Fred Joly, Brenda Bakos, Rappers – Krhyme Syndicate, Hip Hopper- Darius Mirshahi aka Testament & Spotlight Theatre presents cuts from RENT. Other performers wishing to come up must check in at the main-stage.
For more info call 289-221-0928
Or visit
www.povertyacc.com/getinvolved
http://www.oct17.org/event.php?id_rubrique=133&id_secteur_virtuel=210&lang=en&annee=2010
http://www.facebook.com/?tid=1294928952652&sk=messages#!/event.php?eid=155474907810283
Itinerary
International Day for The Eradication of Poverty 2010
AKA – World Day To End Extreme Poverty
1PM – 2PM Drumming / background music, Hot Food – served from Gazebo location
1-5PM Info Booths, Street Performers
2PM – Main-stage MC Tom Pearson welcomes – Mayor – introduces the 1st speaker – year of the youth – Greg Carbis (teen) who will read the pledge against poverty followed by “Open Mic” for those speaking out about poverty. Those speaking from experience get 1st opportunity.
2:45: Engagement Interlude –
3PM “Do The Math” participants speak about their experiences eating a food-bank diet including York Region Media Group’s Debora Kelly.
3:15 Open Mic – Politi-Speak : Anyone who wishes to speak about any ideas to move things politically. Politicians may speak however no electioneering allowed and they must speak about what they would like to do towards eradicating poverty. Regional Councilor John Taylor will bring people up to date on what the Region has done thus far and where they are looking to go in regards to poverty related.
4:15PM: Engagement Interlude – engage politicians, others in ideas…
5:00: PM
Open Mic – music/spoken word
Main-stage Performers:
Ninos Kom Tin drummers/singers; Composer/ Singer – Guitarists Glen Marais, Fred Joly, Brenda Bakos; Rappers – Krhyme Syndicate; Hip Hopper- Darius Mirshahi aka Testament & Spotlight Theatre..more TBA.