The World Summit for Social Development, which promoted social justice, was held in Copenhagen.
"Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice" is the theme for this year's conference, which focuses on the recommendations of Our Common Agenda to reestablish public trust in government and boost global solidarity.
As a result, the World Day of Social Justice in 2023 provides an opportunity to engage in conversation with Member States, youth, social partners, civil society, UN organizations, and other stakeholders regarding the actions that are required to strengthen the social contract that has been shattered by rising inequality, conflicts, and weakened institutions meant to protect workers' rights.
In spite of these numerous crises, there are numerous opportunities to form a coalition for social justice and increase investments in decent jobs, with a particular focus on young people and the green, digital, and care economy.
A Global Coalition for Social Justice In many parts of the world, poverty and inequality are getting worse both within and between countries. The COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters brought on by accelerating climate change, geopolitical tensions, and armed conflicts have all contributed to the recent economic and social crises.
These crises have demonstrated the critical need for coordinated action to respond to them, at the global, regional, and national levels, in addition to the human tragedies that are associated with them and their impact on the workplace. They have also brought to light the interdependencies of economies and societies all over the world.
This has taken place in the midst of significant shifts, including, but not limited to, growing disruptions in economies that are connected to technological advancement and globalization, significant demographic shifts, rising migration flows, and prolonged situations of fragility.
These changes have not gone unnoticed in the workplace. In many nations, people are becoming increasingly dissatisfied and distrustful of established public institutions and actors as a result of the perceived lack of satisfactory responses to these numerous challenges and changes.
The multilateral system has also struggled to adapt to a changing environment and provide concrete and coordinated responses to many of the world's most pressing challenges in the face of this complex situation.
The World Summit for Social Development, which promoted social justice, was held in Copenhagen (pictured above) in 1995.
Multilateral action's credibility has been compromised by the growing gap between international commitments and actual accomplishments, which has led to open criticism and disengagement.
It is more important than ever for the multilateral system to deliver on its promise to help people find solutions to their everyday problems, and to do so in a way that is more effective and consistent.
This sense of urgency has been shared by many, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), who in his report "Our Common Agenda" urged a more inclusive and networked multilateralism, re-embracing global solidarity, renewing the social contract between governments and their people and within societies, anchored in a comprehensive approach to human rights, and warned against the growing divide in the world today.
Poverty, inequality, and social tensions are reduced through social justice, which improves economies and societies' functioning. It is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (also known as the 2030 Agenda), particularly at a time when the achievement of those goals remains far off. It also plays an important role in achieving socioeconomic development paths that are more inclusive and sustainable.
The multilateral system must unite around a set of shared values and objectives and determine how to respond to people's aspirations and needs now more than ever. Therefore, social justice must become one of the pillars of the necessary renewed multilateralism; a significant instrument for a more effective multilateral system, ensuring coherence across a variety of policy areas, as well as a rallying point.
The Background:
On June 10, 2008, the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization was approved by all members of the organization. Since the ILO's 1919 Constitution, this is the International Labour Conference's third major policy and principle statement. The Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work of 1998 and the Philadelphia Declaration of 1944 serve as its foundations. The contemporary vision of the ILO's mandate in the age of globalization is reflected in the Declaration of 2008.
The ILO's core principles are amply reaffirmed in this historic Declaration. It is the result of three-way discussions that began in response to the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization's Report. By adopting this document, 182 member states' representatives from employers', workers', and government organizations highlight our tripartite Organization's crucial contribution to globalization's progress and social justice. Through the Decent Work Agenda, they pledge to improve the ILO's capacity to advance these objectives together. The ILO's Decent Work concept, which it has developed since 1999, is incorporated into the Organization's policies to achieve its constitutional goals by the Declaration.
The Declaration is released at a pivotal juncture in the political zeitgeist, reflecting the widespread agreement that globalization must have a strong social component in order to produce better outcomes for all. It serves as both a useful tool for accelerating progress in the country-level implementation of the Decent Work Agenda and a compass for the advancement of a fair globalization based on decent work. By emphasizing the significance of sustainable businesses in expanding employment and income opportunities for all, it also reflects a positive outlook.
The General Assembly acknowledges that social development and social justice are necessary for achieving and maintaining peace and security within and among nations, as well as that social development and justice cannot be achieved without peace and security and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
It also acknowledges that while trade, investment, and capital flows, as well as advancements in technology, including information technology, are opening up new opportunities for the growth of the global economy and the development and improvement of living standards worldwide, serious challenges, such as serious financial crises, insecurity, poverty, exclusion, and inequality within and among societies, and significant obstacles to further integration and full participation in the global economy for developing countries and some economies in transition, remain.
Beginning with the sixty-third session of the General Assembly on November 26, 2007, the World Day of Social Justice will be observed annually on February 20.
A commemorative meeting with the theme "Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice" will be held on the 2023 World Day of Social Justice by the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations and the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
A side-event in person will follow an online conversation with youth advocates and young entrepreneurs about their vision for social justice and shared prosperity.
The cover of the UNDESA World Social Report 2023 features an illustration of an adult giving a child a globe-baloon. Population ageing is the most important global trend of our time. More people are getting older than ever before and living longer. This significant shift, which has begun or is anticipated to begin soon in all countries and regions, has been driven by spectacular improvements in survival and health as well as reductions in fertility.
What is the purpose of International Day?
International days and weeks serve as occasions to inform the general public about pressing issues, to mobilize political will and resources to address global issues, and to recognize and bolster humanity's accomplishments. Although the United Nations has embraced international days as a powerful advocacy tool, their existence predates the organization. We also commemorate other UN events.
What do individuals do?
The United Nations and the International Labor Organization, among others, issue statements emphasizing the significance of social justice for individuals. Additionally, numerous organizations present strategies for addressing unemployment, poverty, and social and economic exclusion to achieve greater social justice. To commemorate the day, campaign groups and labor unions are invited to contact their members and supporters. "Social Justice and Decent Life for All!" was announced as the collective slogan by the Russian General Confederation of Trade Unions.
Schools, colleges, and universities may organize day-specific activities or a week of events centered on a poverty, unemployment, or social and economic exclusion theme. Around the World Day of Social Justice, a variety of media, including newspapers, radio and television stations, and websites on the Internet, may focus on the issues.
It is hoped that the illicit diamond trade, armed conflicts, particularly in Africa, and the significance of the International Criminal Court will receive special attention. People who are accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes are tried by this independent court.
Background: The Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action were drafted at the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1995. More than a hundred political leaders made a commitment at this summit to make the elimination of poverty, the creation of full employment, and societies that are peaceful, secure, and just their primary goals. They also agreed that development plans should put people first.
The UN's member states gathered in New York in February 2005 for a session of the Commission for Social Development to examine the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action nearly ten years later. They also agreed to work toward social development advancement. The United Nations General Assembly established February 20 as World Day of Social Justice on November 26, 2007. It was planned that the day would first be observed in 2009.