World Day of Social Justice is very instrumental in accomplishment of egalitarian society

At its sixty-second session, in November 2007, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 20 February as World Day of Social Justice. The day was observed for the first time in 2009. The observance of the day is meant to contribute to the further consolidation of the efforts of the international community in poverty eradication, promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all. In a unanimously adopted declaration the UN also invited Member States to devote the Day to promoting activities at the national level in support of the objectives and goals of the 1995 World Summit for Social Development, held in Copenhagen.

In his message on World Day of Social Justice Dr. Naseer Homoud Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council while addressing the media urged peoples and governments to recognize the importance of dealing with poverty and alarming rate of unemployment with utmost sincere efforts so that solidarity, concord and equality of opportunity is promoted within society. Dr. Naseer added “this day is very instrumental in releasing the basic features of a truly egalitarian world community”.

Dr. Homoud maintained that efforts should be made for proper realization of the resolution adopted by General Assembly which implies that social development aims at social justice, solidarity, harmony and equality within and among countries and social justice, equality and equity constitute the fundamental values of all societies. Dr. Homoud said “if we are sincere and honest in creating a society which should be for all, the principles of natural and social justice should prevail. Protection of Human rights and right to fundamental freedoms are the basics of any egalitarian society and we have to stand with the downtrodden and marginalized section of the society, if the dream of society for all is to be realized with”.

While speaking on relevance of the day Dr. Homoud further urged that the World Day of Social Justice will contribute to the efforts of the international community in poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all. Participating governments have made a commitment to the creation of a framework for action to promote social justice at national, regional and international levels. Speaking further he said “I am pleased to see governments recognition that economic growth should promote equity and social justice and that a society for all must be based on social justice and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms”. Social and economic commitments made by the international community should be implemented without discrimination, he continued, adding that” it is important to enlighten Governments that they should implement the covenants and conventions to which they had legally bound themselves”.

Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. “These basic rights have been overlooked by our generation and amid developments and modernization we are lacking far behind yet to tackle this menace of world, which is like an eclipse on our faces” Dr. Naseer added.

“This day is an opportunity for us to show camaraderie with millions of men, women and children who continue to live in wretched poverty and are denied of their social rights and justice, and to freely acknowledge and encourage the work of organizations and individuals who are making significant assistance for ensuring social justice for all. It is also an occasion to raise public consciousness and mobilize various state and non state actors to show their renewed assurance for attaining a classless society and for achieving the Millennium Development Goals” Dr. Naseer added.

While calling support for IIMSAM which is working on eradication of malnutrition- which is also technically attributed to hunger, Dr. Naseer urged the governments and organizations to some forward to support IIMSAM in pursuit of its aims and objectives to make this world free from hunger and malnutrition. Dr. Nasser appreciated the task being carried on by IIMSAM team in fighting world hunger and malnutrition through spreading Spirulina. He hoped that under guidance of His Excellency Ambassador Remigio M. Maradona Director General of the IIMSAM, the organization would reach to its target in fighting these menaces of contemporary world and thus spreading peace, stability and development in the world.