World Day of Social Justice
- April Dykes
- 2月20日
- 読了時間: 6分
Social justice is a term that we have all heard when discussing politics and humanitarian efforts. A word used so often, yet its meaning tends to be lost in the sea of other important issues impacting society today. What is social justice, and why is it so important? “Social justice is the idea that all people should have the same rights and opportunities and that a country's wealth and resources should benefit everyone in that country” (Cambridge Dictionary). Today, as we celebrate World Day of Social Justice, let’s talk about the origins of the day, its goal, its impact, and the way that every country has worked to answer the call of the day.
Social Justice: a concept or responsibility
The concept of social justice was first introduced in the mid 19th century. However, this original term was created to reflect economic disparities. By the 20th century, the term expanded to include race, gender, and other causes of inequality. This new definition then reflected the issues seen in society and could be used to understand the many movements that occurred or concluded in the 20th century. These movements include the Progressive Movement, the Labor Movement, and the Civil Rights Movement. Through the blood, sweat, and tears of local actors, those movements became catalysts for massive reforms for the sake of human rights and, where possible, equity; when not, equality.
On March 6, 1995, the first World Summit for Social Development was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. “At the Summit, Governments pledged to make the conquest of poverty, the goal of full employment and the fostering of social integration, overriding objectives of development” (United Nations, Conferences | Social Development). It was also here that the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development was adopted. “The Declaration emphasized the eradication of poverty as an ethical, social, political, and economic imperative. The Declaration represented a unique consensus on three key objectives of social development, namely, eradicating poverty, promoting full and productive employment, and fostering social inclusion, and set out a holistic approach to achieve them” (United Nations, Conferences | Social Development). To this day, this declaration is used as a guide for social development.
Recognizing the importance of social development and social justice, on November 26, 2007, the General Assembly (UN) created World Day of Social Justice through Resolution A/RES/62/10. This resolution designated February 20th as World Day of Social Justice.
World Day of Social Justice
Since its first celebration in 2009, World Day of Social Justice has had a yearly theme to reflect a pressing social justice issue. This year’s theme is “Renewed Commitment to Social Development and Social Justice.” What does this theme mean to you?
The UN defines this theme as a reflection of the “progress achieved and acknowledgement of persistent and emerging challenges. While significant gains have been recorded in poverty reduction, education and social protection coverage, structural inequalities, labour market informality, gender disparities, and declining trust in institutions continue to impede inclusive and sustainable development” (United Nations).
The United Nations defines social justice by 5 key principles
the recognition that different people have different needs and circumstances (equity),
ensuring that everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed (access),
enabling all individuals to play a role in the political, economic, and social life of the communities (participation),
protecting the human rights of all individuals (rights) and
valuing and respecting differences between people, such as race, gender, and sexual orientation (diversity)
(The United Nations)
Social justice in Japan
“In January 2024, the Japanese government announced that it would join the Global Coalition for Social Justice” (Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare). The Global Coalition for Social Justice is an initiative created by the International Labour Organization (ILO), a UN agency that promotes social justice. That is not to say that prior to 2024, Japan had no social justice reforms. While there are no specific laws regarding social justice, Japan has laws about human rights embedded within its constitution. ”In Japan, human rights systems and policies have been established and developed within the national government under the Constitution, which sets the respect for fundamental human rights as one of its basic principles, as well as international rules including human rights conventions drafted by the United Nations” (Ministry of Justice: Human Rights Bureau).
According to the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, Japan has taken the following initiatives in the human rights forums of the UN:
General Assembly resolution “Integrating volunteering into peace and development: the plan of action for the next decade and beyond” (70th and 67th Sessions of the General Assembly)
“Japan is actively cooperating with the humanitarian activities of UN agencies both financially and in terms of human resources. Such cooperation includes active contribution in areas such as collaboration with wide-ranging partners, including humanitarian and development actors, disaster risk reduction, empowerment of women, capacity building and innovation, as well as active support for the efforts by the UN agencies towards better security for aid workers and strengthening civil-military cooperation. Japan is also actively participating in the international discussions towards more effective and efficient implementation of the humanitarian assistance” (Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations).
The Human Rights Bureau of the Ministry of Justice in Japan
This government initiative provides support for natives and residents alike. The Human Rights Bureau of the Ministry of Justice in Japan has 3 core activities:
“The human rights bodies of the Ministry of Justice provide human rights counseling, investigate and resolve human rights violation cases, and conduct human rights awareness-raising activities aiming for the protection of fundamental human rights” (Human Rights Bureau). Its counseling services include hotlines for foreigners, women, and children.
Human Rights Counseling for Foreigners: Phone number 0570-090-911
Human Rights Hotline: Phone number 0570-003-110
Women's Rights Hotline: Phone number 0570-070-810
Children's Rights Hotline: Phone number 0120-007-110
If you or someone you know experiences human rights violations, this could be a good place to receive support.
Japanese organizations that support social justice (human rights).
Social Justice Fund (SJF)
“The Social Justice Fund (SJF) was established in October 2011 by the nonprofit organization Machibito. Machibito has run Japan's first citizen fund, the Grassroots Citizens Fund Gran, for over 20 years, providing grants to grassroots activities that support those in socially vulnerable positions. In the process, Machibito saw a growing need to universalize the knowledge gained from grassroots activities and to support policy- and social-proposal advocacy activities by citizens seeking to resolve the causes of social injustice, leading to the launch of the SJF as a new mechanism” (SJF).
Initiatives by the SJF
◆ Forum
This NPO was formed in December 1991 to create a network of cooperation, bringing together individuals and NGOs, lawyers, labor unions, interpreters, medical professionals, religious figures, the Buraku Liberation League, and ethnic groups in Japan who are interested in the human rights of foreigners.
Our philosophy is to "realize a society of coexistence without discrimination."
RINK's Activities
★ Multilingual Counseling and Accompaniment Support Services:
★ Cooperation with the "Rengo Osaka Foreign Workers Consultation"
★ Skills Improvement Courses for Interpreters and Counselors
★ Regular meetings
Human Rights Watch Tokyo (HRW Tokyo)
Human Rights Watch is the world's leading human rights non-governmental organization (NGO). It investigates and exposes human rights violations around the world and provides strong recommendations to governments, corporations, and international organizations to ensure respect for human rights. Our more than 500 staff members, including lawyers, journalists, and international experts from over 70 countries, work to protect the human rights of those most at risk, including refugees, children, people in wartime situations, and minorities.
To ensure our independence, Human Rights Watch does not receive funding from any government. We collaborate with organizations around the world to create a world where dignity for all is protected.”
World Vision Japan, an international cooperation NGO, operates around the world with three pillars of activity:
development assistance (child sponsorship, etc.)
emergency humanitarian assistance
advocacy
World Vision works for the healthy growth of children (Child Well-being).
Specifically, children
- To grow up healthy in mind and body,
- To build good social and interpersonal relationships,
- To be respected and protected,
- To have the opportunity to participate in society,
- To experience social justice
These organizations are just a few that support human rights and advocate for social justice. Each of them has various ways that you can support them and activities that you can participate in. Today, I will leave you with a question: What is most important to you, equality or equity?
IMAGE 3 https://servas.org/human-rights
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