Social Justice

Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. The concept of social justice advocates for equal access to wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society. It underscores the progressive march towards a world where the barriers that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, or disability are dismantled. Its intrinsic relationship with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is anchored in the shared vision of a better world, as espoused in the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The SDGs are a call for action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. These 17 interlinked goals recognize that strategies to improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth must go hand-in-hand with tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

Social justice permeates each SDG, insisting that no goal can be met without meeting the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized populations. For example, SDG 1, "No Poverty," is deeply rooted in the ethos of social justice, emphasizing the right of all individuals to lead a life with dignity and without poverty's crushing burden. SDG 5's focus on gender equality is a clear mandate for social justice, addressing structural inequalities that women and girls face. Social justice also informs SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequality within and among countries, encapsulating the essence of a fair global economic system. Furthermore, by recognizing the multifaceted nature of deprivation that goes beyond the economic to include lack of access to justice, education, and health services, social justice becomes the multifiber thread interwoven through the fabric of the SDGs.

The indivisibility of the SDGs mirrors the breadth of social justice, and their achievement relies on ensuring that social justice is not an abstract ideal but a lived reality for all. The synergistic relationship between social justice and the SDGs requires policies that encapsulate the principles of equity, participation, and rights. In doing so, it necessitates the dismantling of systemic barriers to justice, fostering inclusive growth, and building accountable institutions. As the world grapples with unprecedented challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and political instability, the role of social justice in shaping responses and recovery efforts becomes even more prominent. It offers a blueprint for inclusive and sustainable solutions that uphold human dignity, demonstrating that the SDGs are not just aspirational targets, but also imperatives for a just world. By addressing the systemic injustices that perpetuate inequality, social justice serves as the lynchpin in the wheel of sustainable development, catalyzing the transformation of societies to be more inclusive, equitable, and resilient in the face of current and future challenges.

The International Day for Tolerance 2024: Promoting Respect and Understanding Worldwide

Observed annually on November 16, the International Day for Tolerance was declared by UNESCO in 1995 to raise public awareness about the dangers of intolerance and to promote understanding and respect among diverse cultures and communities. The day encourages global dialogue and cooperation to foster tolerance, human rights, and peace.

Origins and Background

2025's Nelson Mandela International Day: Celebrating Unity and Service

Celebration and Recognition

Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated annually on July 18th, Mandela's birthday, honoring his legacy and the values he stood for. In 2025, this day calls upon individuals worldwide to dedicate 67 minutes of their time to community service, reflecting the 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted to fighting for social justice.

Origin and Global Involvement

Large crowd gathered with placards in protest

The Right to Protest: online panel discussion

LexisNexis is hosting a free, online panel discussion in partnership with the International Law Book Facility (ILBF) to explore the right to protest. 

24th January 2024 at 17:00-18:30 GMT

The panel discussion, moderated by James Harper, General Counsel of Global Nexis Solutions - part of LexisNexis, supports the ILBF's law undergraduate essay competition 2023-2024, that asks law undergraduates the question: ‘Should the right to protest be unfettered?

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2025

Honoring Memories, Fostering Resilience

The annals of history bear witness to the atrocities and enduring impacts of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade serves as a poignant reminder of this dark chapter in human history and its lasting effects on societies worldwide.

The Significance of the Day

International Day of Peace

Annually, on 21 September, the world marks the International Day of Peace. Established by the United Nations, this day epitomises our joint aspiration for a world devoid of discord and turmoil. This year, attention is particularly directed towards the crucial role of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Grasping the Significance

International Day of Charity

In an increasingly interconnected world, acts of charity and kindness have profound ramifications that echo beyond borders. Celebrated annually on the 5th of September, the International Day of Charity embodies this spirit. It's a day to rally communities, NGOs, and stakeholders across the globe to amplify the role of charity in building strong, inclusive societies.

I. The Profound Impact of Charity in the Global Landscape

Elsevier,

The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia, Volume 7, December 2022, 100079

This Viewpoint supports SDG 3 by outlining the progress of the Sehat Sahulat program (SSP), a social protection program and health insurance scheme, in Pakistan and the opportunities for improvement in the future, with a focus on whether the benefit package can better set the foundation towards universal health coverage in Pakistan.

Objectives: To synthesize literature about teaching social justice to nursing students and identify approaches for effective teaching of social justice issues in nursing education. Design: An integrative review. Data sources: Literature was searched in CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and OVID databases. In total, 32 articles were assessed for full-text eligibility, and 18 articles published from January 2011 until August 2021 were critically appraised and reviewed. Review methods: Articles were appraised using Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

Supporting goal 10 (reduced inequalities), goal 8 (decent work and economic growth) and goal 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) this blog discusses the fight for social justice and the links with inclusion and decent work for migrants in a global economy.
This book chapter ties into SDG10 and 13 by investigating how climate change is causing environmental issues, has direct consequences on public health and indirect consequences due to food insecurity, stress migration, and collective violence. There is substantial social injustice both at global and local level, with climate change having a disproportionate adverse effect on poor people, minorities, women, children and older people.

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