On February 20th, we observed World Day of Social Justice. This year’s theme is “Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice”, highlighting the need to identify and remove obstacles that prevent people from achieving social justice, and to create opportunities for all individuals to participate fully in society.
By its nature, Social Justice is necessarily broader than us as individuals; World Social Justice Day provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of collaboration and collective action. It calls on individuals, communities, and governments to work together to address systemic issues and create a more equitable and inclusive society. By overcoming barriers and unleashing opportunities for social justice, we can create a brighter future for all people.
The theme is particularly relevant given the challenges faced by many people during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as job loss, social isolation, and health disparities. It recognizes the need to address these barriers and create new opportunities for social justice in the post-pandemic world.
One of the key challenges facing social justice today is the erosion of trust in government and our institutions. A growing number of people no longer believe that their governments are acting in their best interests, and this has led to a growing sense of frustration and disillusionment. This lack of trust is particularly evident in the developing world, where corruption and political instability continue to be major issues.
Conversely, opportunities here in Australia such as the referendum for a First Nations Voice to Parliament present an opportunity to bring us together, strengthen the social contract, open pathways for healing, and create a fairer society.
To learn more about World Social Justice Day, and ways that we can work to overcome barriers together, please visit: https://www.un.org/en/observances/social-justice-day