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World Day of Social Justice was initiated by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2007 to encourage support for international efforts in poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment, gender equity and justice for all. 

Placing social justice at the centre of international, national and regional policy agendas is crucial to achieving this goal. However, persistent injustices, widespread labor insecurity, high levels of inequality, and unraveling social contracts exacerbated by global conflicts and crises threaten progress. Reinforcing institutions and policies that truly advance social justice is seen as an urgent priority.

Students and teachers are encouraged to think about social justice issues and consider the plight of millions of people being deprived of equity, access and participation in a fair society because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability.

Why Care About Social Justice:

• Social justice is an underlying principle for the peaceful and prosperous coexistence of all, yet poverty, inequality & conflict within and among nations continue to grow.
• Over 60 per cent of all workers lack any kind of employment contract. (UN)
• By 2019, more than 212 million people were out of work, up from 201 million in previous years. (UN)
• Fewer than 45 per cent of wage and salaried workers are employed on a full-time, permanent basis, and even that share is declining.
• Over 1.5 million children under the age of 5 die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases. (WHO)
• There are currently more than 800 million people who do not have access to safe drinking water. (UNESCO)
• Eighty-two million girls now aged 10 to 17 will be married before their 18th birthday (UNFP).
• Currently armed forces in 20 countries are recruiting child soldiers under the age of 18. (Child Soldiers International)
• Indigenous people continue to face systemic discrimination and over-representation in the criminal justice system. (Canada.ca)
• The tuberculosis rate among Canada’s First Nations ranges from 10 to 30 times higher than that of the population as a whole. (CBC)
• The environmental and health consequences of climate change disproportionately affect low-income countries and poor people in high-income countries.
• A sustainable future involves meeting the needs of all people.

Resources 4 Rethinking encourages students and teachers to participate in World Day of Social Justice. Top R4R Picks will connect you to some excellent resources to support these efforts.

For More Information visit World Day of Social Justice.