Rome (Italy). World Day of Social Justice is celebrated on 20 February 2021, proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2007 to support the commitment of the international community towards the elimination of poverty, the fight against unemployment, the promotion of decent work and social justice for all.
Social justice is a fundamental principle for prosperity and peaceful coexistence within and between Countries. Pope Francis in the Encyclical Fratelli tutti says: “We can aspire to a world that provides land, housing and work for all. This is the true path of peace.” (FT 127)
World Day, on the theme: “A call for social justice in the digital economy”, promotes dialogue to overcome the digital divide, provide decent work opportunities, and protect human rights.
Trade, services, and technological innovation have opened up new opportunities for the growth of the world economy and the improvement of living standards around the world. However, the financial crises, poverty, exclusion, and inequality within and between societies do not yet allow the full participation of all Countries in the global economy.
This crisis has had a greater impact on those who are the least protected workers, especially young people, the elderly, and migrants. In addition, the pandemic has caused an exponential increase in the unpaid care work of women due to school closures and the growing needs of older people.
With a view to supporting the most vulnerable people, the International Volunteer Association for Woman Education and Development – VIDES, promoted by the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Non-profit Youth Solidarity Volunteer Foundation – FVGS promoted by VIDES International, work to ensure justice is a basic principle in all activities promoted in favor of the rights of children and indigenous peoples, in every Country in which they are present.
VIDES Canada organizes a series of meetings with Eritrean refugees to help them on the path of integration into the local society, through English language courses and tutoring to guide them in finding a job.
In support of young migrants in Haiti, the FVGS Non-Profit Foundation created a project to give girls from the Dominican Republic the opportunity to acquire through cooking, pastry making, and café management courses, the skills necessary to find a job that makes them economically autonomous.
In the spirit of Don Bosco and of social justice, VIDES International promoted a project in South Africa in favor of young people who are out of the labor market, promoting professional training and the development of transversal skills with the aim of helping them find an occupation.
The World Day of Social Justice is an invitation to promote social justice through paths of peace, welcome, integration, and equity.
“No social justice can be derived from inequality”
(Pope Francis)
