Today is International Human Solidarity Day — a chance for us all to remind ourselves that what we hold in common is more important than what divides us, and that the needs of the most vulnerable should stand at the heart of our common commitments.
Today is International Human Solidarity Day — a chance for us all to remind ourselves that what we hold in common is more important than what divides us, and that the needs of the most vulnerable should stand at the heart of our common commitments.
This year’s IHSD coincides with the launch in Britain of the ‘War on Welfare’ petition by disabled and sick people, people with learning and mental health difficulties, their families and carers.
Its aim is an independent, cumulative and comprehensive assessment of welfare and benefits policies in the UK which a mass of evidence suggests will cause enormous harm.
What better day could there be to join the campaign and sign the petition here? http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43154
There are, of course, many other vital peace and justice causes in the world today. So how did the International Human Solidarity Day come about?
The UN General Assembly, on 22 December 2005, by resolution 60/209, identified solidarity as one of the fundamental and universal values that should underlie relations between peoples in the Twenty-first century, and in that regard decided to proclaim 20 December of each year International Human Solidarity Day.
By resolution 57/265 the General Assembly, on 20 December 2002, established the World Solidarity Fund, which was set up in February 2003 as a trust fund of the United Nations Development Programme. Its objective is to eradicate poverty and promote human and social development in developing countries, in particular among the poorest segments of their populations.
* More on International Human Solidarity Day: http://www.un.org/en/events/humansolidarityday/