United Nations (UN)’s International Human Solidarity Day is annually observed across the globe on December 20 to raise public awareness of the value of solidarity, stimulate new efforts for the eradication of poverty, and remind governments of all countries of their responsibilities under international agreements.
Background:
i. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/60/209 on 22nd December 2005 and proclaimed December 20 of each year as International Human Solidarity Day.
ii. The day marks the establishment of the World Solidarity Fund resolution (A/RES/57/265) on 20th December 2002.
iii. The 1st ever International Human Solidarity Day was observed on 20th December 2006.
What is International Human Solidarity Day?
International Human Solidarity Day is a day
- to celebrate our unity in diversity;
- to remind governments to respect their commitments to international agreements;
- to raise public awareness of the importance of solidarity;
- to encourage debate on the ways to promote solidarity for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals including poverty eradication;
- of action to encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication.
The UN and the Concept of Solidarity:
Since the UN’s founding, the idea of solidarity has defined the work of the United Nations activities.
- The establishment of the UN brought together people and nations from all over the globe to advance peace, human rights and social and economic development.
Millennium Declaration:
According to the UN’s Millennium Declaration, one of the core principles of international relations in the 21st century is solidarity, which holds that those who suffer or benefit the least should receive assistance from those who benefit the most.
World Solidarity Fund:
i. The World Solidarity Fund, which was established in 2002, was set up in February 2003 as a trust fund of the UN Development Programme.
ii. Its aim is to end poverty and advance social and human development in developing countries, especially among the most underprivileged populations.
The Independent Expert:
i. The Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity is one of the thematic special procedures overseen by the UN Human Rights Council.
ii. Independent Expert’s responsibilities: developing further the guidelines, standards, norms, and principles related to the right to international solidarity.
iii. The UN Human Rights Council designated an independent expert on human rights and international solidarity to develop a draft declaration on the right of peoples and individuals to international solidarity.
iv. With Resolution 2005/55, the UN Commission on Human Rights established the mandate of the Independent Expert in 2005. The Human Rights Council extended the mandate in 2008, 2011, and 2014.
Current mandate holder- Professor Obiora C. Okafor (Nigeria)
About the United Nations (UN):
Secretary-General- António Guterres
Headquarters- New York, USA
Establishment- 1945
