INTERNATIONAL HUMAN SOLIDARITY DAY- 20 DECEMBER
By Apoorva Mishra / GICJ
We must learn to live together as brothers or we are going to perish together as fools," Martin Luther King, Jr.
Introduction
International human solidarity day is celebrated every year on 20th December. It celebrates the expression ‘unity in diversity’ and seeks to focus attention on the importance of human solidarity. This specific date was chosen as the solidarity day to commemorate the establishment of the World Solidarity Fund, set up by the UN General Assembly (“UNGA”) on December 20, 2002. It was set up as a trust fund of the United Nations Development Program with the aim to eradicate poverty and promote human and social development in developing countries, especially the poorest.[1] The day also seeks to promote a sense of shared humanity and encourage individuals to collectively tackle global issues.
UN and the Concept of Solidarity
The United Nations (“UN”) was born on the basic premise of solidarity when multiple nations came together to tackle global social, economic and political challenges. Collective security is an important and non- negotiable principle enshrined in the UN Charter that takes inspiration from solidarity of members to unite to “maintain international peace and security.” It has been discussed as one of the fundamental values of international relations by the UN in the Millenium Declaration.[2] On December 22nd, 2005, the UNGA identified solidarity as a universal value. Through multiple initiatives like the World Solidarity Fund and the proclamation of International Human Solidarity Day, the UN promotes solidarity as a concept, mainly focused on poverty eradication and other social issues.[3]
According to Stanford Encyclopedia[4], solidarity is “used to evaluate, guide and describe activities within groups and within individuals and groups. The UN uses the term for “cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character.”
How is it celebrated?
To appreciate and involve the people in the celebration of solidarity day, the UN actively engages the community through global initiatives focused on poverty alleviation. This day is a reminder to the governments of the world to come together and uphold their commitments to various international agreements in force. Events are held all over the world to promote the importance of solidarity that includes presentations, seminars, conferences, and roundtable discussions. People are encouraged to be a part of the celebration by way of volunteering, conducting and being a part of community events, fundraising and creating awareness campaigns through social media and online presence.
War and Solidarity in Present Context
Solidarity as a value has become important more than ever now. There is an increased tension between nations, visible manifestations being the Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Palestine and wars in Africa including the conflict in Sudan and the DRC. Trade tensions between nations have escalated globally and there is civil and political unrest in major parts of Asia. The global order that was built up with so much pain, patience and loss of lives is crumbling. The international community needs to come together and fight to keep the spirit of solidarity alive through initiatives like community events and campaigns which can go a long way in reversing some of the damage.
Global tensions not just damage the spirit of solidarity but also have a direct impact on other feasible targets that the nations are trying to achieve such as poverty alleviation, social and economic development of the poorest sections of society, tackling malnutrition, etc. The only thing these wars have been able to achieve is loss of millions of lives, destruction of people’s home and their livelihood further pushing them down the poverty drain, malnutrition and hunger among the war-affected nations and loss of an entire generation of future citizens.
There are constant reports in the media about the plight of the people and children living in Gaza being affected by the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. As per World Health Organization report, starvation and malnutrition levels in Gaza are at the highest since the war began two years ago[5]. Hundreds of people have died in Gaza from hunger and an official famine has been declared in the area. Assistance by agencies like the Red Cross have been blocked and the people are perishing.
Why solidarity matters now
It is high time for the world to live up to the motto of “unity in diversity” by coming together and putting an end to wars and destruction. Solidarity movements against governments of nations involved in/ sponsoring wars can create pressure on such governments to stop wars immediately and agree to the terms of settlement to live in solidarity and harmony with the rest of the world. On the other hand, efforts should also be made to provide humanitarian assistance to victims of war. . The global community and the national governments can come together to ensure safe passage, availability of food and medical aid, and rehabilitation of the affected people. By doing this we will be able to understand and showcase the real meaning of solidarity and why it is essential especially in the present.
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) celebrates the world human solidarity day and stands by its commitment to spread the essence of solidarity among the people of this world. At the same time, it urges people, governments and nations to give up on wars and hate, to come together and present a united front in tackling the global social and economic challenges. It is time we fulfil the motto “unity in diversity” and help the people rise above their sufferings and pain by showcasing human solidarity.
________________
[1]https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/international/international-human-solidarity-december-20#:~:text=Every%20year%20on%20December%2020th,a%20psychological%20sense%20of%20unity.
[2]UN Resolution A/RES/55/2
[3]https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-solidarity-day
[4]https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/solidarity/
[5]https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/public-health-situation-analysis---occupied-palestinian-territory-September
