The Global Coalition for Social Justice and our collective responsibility
Equality of access to education, healthcare, and decent work, including workplaces free of harassment and violence, are the foundations upon which a just society is built. By guaranteeing these pillars, we can aspire to a society where equal opportunities are not a utopia but a tangible reality.
20 February 2024
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Fabio Bertranou, Director Decent Work Team and Country Office for the South Cone of Latin America at International Labour Organization
Given the multiple crises and challenges we face as a society, World Social Justice Day, which we commemorate this February 20th, invites us to reflect on the need to persevere in the pursuit and construction of a more equitable and fairer world. In this context, it is essential to understand that social justice is not an abstract concept but refers to a set of concrete policies and actions that seek to ensure equal access to opportunities for all persons.
To highlight some revealing figures, currently, over 4 billion people worldwide lack access to social protection; more than 453 million people who want to work cannot find employment; over 214 million workers earn less than USD 1.90 per day, and even today, women continue to earn, on average, 20% less than men.
Social justice, in practical terms, involves addressing current challenges through the implementation of a set of policies and actions. These include stimulating growth based on increased productivity, promoting a fair and inclusive green transition to protect our planet, and simultaneously ensuring that no one is left behind in terms of opportunities and access to essential goods, services, and protections for a dignified life.
Equality of access to education, healthcare, and decent work, including workplaces free of harassment and violence, are the foundations upon which a just society is built. By guaranteeing these pillars, we can aspire to a society where equal opportunities are not a utopia but a tangible reality.
After overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and currently facing a new global context of conflicts and insecurities, we have a new opportunity to shape the future with greater social justice. This challenge can only be materialized through the collaboration and joint efforts of governments, enterprises, workers, civil society organizations, and persons through their individual and collective actions in the organizations they participate in.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has taken a step forward by launching the Global Coalition for Social Justice. With over 100 partners, including governments in the Southern Cone such as Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay, as well as employer organizations (IOE) and workers' organizations (CSA/CSI) at regional and global levels. This pioneering multilateral initiative seeks to present itself as a unified force committed to concrete change and the construction of a sustainable, equitable, and socially just future.
In the diversity of these alliances, we find the necessary strength to address complex challenges and create lasting solutions. The Global Coalition for Social Justice is more than a simple partnership; it is a declaration of collective commitment to tangible changes.
On World Social Justice Day, we can reflect on how to contribute to this mission. Social Justice is not only an ideal or a responsibility of world leaders or large organizations; it is a call to action for every citizen. True transformation can only occur when we all commit to working together in a social contract towards a future with more social justice.
Given the multiple crises and challenges we face as a society, World Social Justice Day, which we commemorate this February 20th, invites us to reflect on the need to persevere in the pursuit and construction of a more equitable and fairer world. In this context, it is essential to understand that social justice is not an abstract concept but refers to a set of concrete policies and actions that seek to ensure equal access to opportunities for all persons.
To highlight some revealing figures, currently, over 4 billion people worldwide lack access to social protection; more than 453 million people who want to work cannot find employment; over 214 million workers earn less than USD 1.90 per day, and even today, women continue to earn, on average, 20% less than men.
Social justice, in practical terms, involves addressing current challenges through the implementation of a set of policies and actions. These include stimulating growth based on increased productivity, promoting a fair and inclusive green transition to protect our planet, and simultaneously ensuring that no one is left behind in terms of opportunities and access to essential goods, services, and protections for a dignified life.
Equality of access to education, healthcare, and decent work, including workplaces free of harassment and violence, are the foundations upon which a just society is built. By guaranteeing these pillars, we can aspire to a society where equal opportunities are not a utopia but a tangible reality.
After overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and currently facing a new global context of conflicts and insecurities, we have a new opportunity to shape the future with greater social justice. This challenge can only be materialized through the collaboration and joint efforts of governments, enterprises, workers, civil society organizations, and persons through their individual and collective actions in the organizations they participate in.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has taken a step forward by launching the Global Coalition for Social Justice. With over 100 partners, including governments in the Southern Cone such as Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay, as well as employer organizations (IOE) and workers' organizations (CSA/CSI) at regional and global levels. This pioneering multilateral initiative seeks to present itself as a unified force committed to concrete change and the construction of a sustainable, equitable, and socially just future.
In the diversity of these alliances, we find the necessary strength to address complex challenges and create lasting solutions. The Global Coalition for Social Justice is more than a simple partnership; it is a declaration of collective commitment to tangible changes.
On World Social Justice Day, we can reflect on how to contribute to this mission. Social Justice is not only an ideal or a responsibility of world leaders or large organizations; it is a call to action for every citizen. True transformation can only occur when we all commit to working together in a social contract towards a future with more social justice.