The Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe (CINGO) organised a ceremony on 13 October 2026 to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The event took place in the forecourt of the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg, around the slab commemorating the victims of poverty.

The ceremony brought together representatives of the Council of Europe, diplomats, civil society representatives and people affected by poverty to reaffirm the importance of human rights, dignity, solidarity and social justice.

The event opened with a welcome message from Gerhard Ermischer, President of the Conference of INGOs, who marked the 50th anniversary of CINGO. He was followed by Tanja Gonggrijp, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Aoife Nolan, President of the European Committee of Social Rights of the Council of Europe.

The President of ECSR, Aoife Nolan, in her speech underlined : "Ensuring the right to adequate housing requires governments to take concrete measures to expand access to housing, particularly through the provision of social housing. These efforts must prioritise the most disadvantaged members of society, including people living in poverty, who face the greatest barriers in securing safe, adequate and affordable accommodation.”

One of the key moments was the reading of the “Human Rights Call” at the slab in memory of the victims of poverty. The French version was read by Margaux Girardin, Deputy to the Permanent Representative of Monaco to the Council of Europe, while the English version was delivered by Caitríona Doyle, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the Council of Europe.

The programme also featured contributions from people affected by poverty, alongside members of the CINGO Committee for Social Rights, under the initiative “CINGO voices with people affected by poverty.” Participants also presented a collective artwork created during a dedicated workshop, highlighting the importance of shared expression and collective engagement.

The ceremony concluded with a final performance by the Council of Europe Choir, bringing participants together in a shared commitment to combating poverty and promoting the fundamental rights and dignity of every person.