Activities will take place across Belgium on Thursday, 17 October, to mark International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, according to a statement from the Combat Poverty, Insecurity, and Social Exclusion Service.
The International Day serves as an opportunity to highlight the daily struggles of those battling poverty, the Service stressed in its statement, in which it informed the public about events organised by associations, local authorities, and other stakeholders.
In Namur, the Walloon Anti-Poverty Network has scheduled speeches, performances, exhibitions, debates, and expression workshops, among other activities.
In Brussels, the 'Making the Invisible Visible' initiative will hold a gathering at 4 p.m. at Place de la Bourse to protest against administrative overload; that is the bureaucratic hurdles that prevent access to fundamental social and human rights, the coalition of associations explained.
Also in Brussels, a lantern parade will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. to represent the effort to illuminate those who often remain unseen.
Additional activities will be held in Brussels and other locations across Belgium to send home the message that poverty is a violation of human rights.
Those unable to participate in the activities can still contribute by tying a white sheet to a window as a gesture of solidarity.
