CHARM-EU celebrates World Day of Social Justice

Acknowledging and tackling structural barriers, reducing exclusion, and working towards joint global human rights-based solutions are important. In alignment with our vision and mission and part of our work on inclusion and diversity to create an innovative university model that identifies and reflects on social challenges and seeks local and global solutions with the cooperation of the wider community, CHARM-EU joins to raise awareness of this International Day, reiterating our commitment to celebrate and reflect on efforts to tackle various issues connected to social justice.

The importance of the issue

Social development and social justice are indispensable for achieving and maintaining peace and security within and among nations. On 26 November 2007, the United Nations General Assembly declared that starting from its sixty-third session, the 20th of February will be celebrated annually as the World Day of Social Justice. The day offers a time for individuals, communities and nations to celebrate and reflect on efforts to tackle various issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender equality, unemployment, and human rights. Organisations across the globe, such as the United Nations and the International Labour Office make statements on the importance of social justice for people.

Thematic focus in 2023

The theme in 2023 – “Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice” – focuses on the recommendations to strengthen global solidarity and rebuild public trust in various organisations. It aims to foster discussion with Member States, youth, social partners, civil society organisations, UN agencies and other stakeholders on actions to strengthen the social contract that rising inequalities have fractured. Despite these challenges, there are numerous opportunities to build a coalition for social justice and increase investment access to education, focusing on the green, digital and care economy and young people. The World Day of Social Justice is significant because it focuses on how crucial it is to advance social justice for every person worldwide. For the welfare of individuals, communities, and nations, together with a crucial element of sustainable development, social justice must be attained. Ensuring that each person and group within a society has equal access to resources, opportunities, and privileges and that they are treated fairly and with dignity is known as the social justice principle.

CHARM-EU’s commitment to working towards inclusive education and societies.

In CHARM-EU and its Master’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability, we recognise that all students and stakeholders must engage step by step in designing and implementing aspects of inclusion, diversity, human rights, and non-discrimination within our organisational culture, operation, educational activities and educational projects. We acknowledge that various structural barriers, including stigma and discrimination, remain a huge obstacle to social inclusion. Joint efforts of the CHARM-EU community and actors will foster the creation of a more just, inclusive education and society. We are committed to shaping minds and developing structures to realise the UN SDG’s values meaningfully.

Joins us to raise awareness by using the hashtag #socialjustice on social media. Find more information by visiting the following link: World Day of Social Justice | United Nations  

References:

United Nations World Day of Social Justice 20th February official website: https://www.un.org/en/observances/social-justice-day 

Credit: 

This contribution was prepared in collaboration with Enikő Bíró, a student volunteer (ELTE BGGYK) & CHARM-EU colleagues.