International Human Solidarity Day 2023

Date: Wednesday, 20 December 2023; 18th Anniversary

Sponsor: United Nations

Objectives:

The International Human Solidarity Day aims to raise people’s awareness of the importance of advancing the international development agenda and promoting global understanding of the value of human solidarity. According to the United Nations, specifically, the International Human Solidarity Day is proclaimed for the following purposes:

• 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 the Sustainable Development Goals; and
• to encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication.

Background

In the UN Millennium Declaration, solidarity is identified as one of the fundamental and universal values of international relations, wherein those who either suffer or benefit least deserve help from those who benefit most. In the context of globalization and the challenge of growing inequality, strengthening of international solidarity is indispensable.

Inception:

The International Human Solidarity Day was first officially held on 20 December 2006

On 22 December 2005, the United Nations General Assembly officially proclaimed, by the resolution A/RES/60/209, that International Human Solidarity Day would be on December 20 each year.

How to celebrate the Day: 

Every year, International Human Solidarity Day is an opportunity to promote the importance of sharing and the culture of solidarity to combat poverty. The day can be promoted through all forms of media including magazine articles, speeches at official events, web blogs, and social media campaigns from organizations, groups, or individuals committed to universal solidarity.

On the Day, governments are reminded of their commitments to international agreements on the need for human solidarity and are expected to respond the poverty and other barriers in society through Sustainable Development Goals. NGOs and individuals are encouraged to promote solidarity through different activities or campaigns, such as making health and medication accessible to those in need, relief efforts to help those who suffered the effects of natural or human-made disasters, contributing to education, and providing help to the poor.

Official website:

www.un.org/en/observances/human-solidarity-day