Inequalities are growing ever greater and creating distances that seem unbridgeable between people who, at least in theory, should be born free and equal in dignity and rights, and the word "justice" seems all too often to take on an abstract meaning. The widening of the gap is confirmed by a study from the NGO group Oxfam, according to which nearly half of all the wealth generated in the world is in the hands of one per cent of the population.

Why World Day of Social Justice is celebrated

20 February marks the World Day of Social Justice, established by the United Nations in 2007. The UN invites member states to participate and to dedicate the day to promoting activities aimed at social development. We uphold the principles of social justice when we promote equality of gender and of the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants, and when we remove the barriers that people face because of sex, age, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability.

The pursuit of social justice for all is one of the main objectives of the United Nations. A concrete example is the adoption by the International Labour Organization of the Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization. The Declaration focuses on the need to ensure fair outcomes for all through employment, social protection, social dialogue, and respect for fundamental principles and rights at work.

World Day of Social Justice 2020

The slogan for the day in 2020 is "Bridging the Inequality Gap to Achieve Social Justice". Among the inequalities to be tackled are, for example, the persistent gender disparities in the world of work.

2019 edition

The 2019 edition highlighted the need to create jobs in order to reduce injustice. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that around two billion people live in precarious and conflict-affected situations, of whom more than 400 million are between the ages of 15 and 29. Job creation is crucial in helping to make societies more cohesive and equitable, thereby preventing conflicts. "Decent work is the key to achieving sustainable development and social justice – stated ILO Director-General Guy Ryder – which is in turn a foundation for lasting peace."

2018 edition

The theme of the 2018 edition was dedicated to another highly topical subject, summed up in the slogan: "Workers on the move: the quest for social justice." It is no coincidence that today the majority of migratory movements are directly or indirectly linked to the search for work opportunities. Even if this is not necessarily the main reason driving people to move, it remains an important aspect of any migratory process.