Human Solidarity is a Spiritual Pursuit
International Human Solidarity Day 2022
/ 20 December / Article
Human Solidarity is a
Spiritual Pursuit
Fr Dr M. D. Thomas
Director, Institute of
Harmony and Peace Studies, New Delhi
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‘International Human
Solidarity Day’ is being observed on the 20th day of December. This
day is chiefly dedicated for the unity of the United Nations and its Member
States as regards the solidarity of the humans. The day was introduced by the
United Nations General Assembly, during its World Summit in 2005. It was
established under the UN Millennium Declaration that determines the civil and
political rights of an individual.
Making the Member States
aware of the universal value of solidarity, in terms of reducing poverty, along
with other global objectives, was the purpose of the day. The day is promoted
by World Solidarity Fund and United Nations Development Programme, in view of
eradicating poverty. Governments are encouraged to respond to poverty and other
social barriers through Sustainable Development Goals, too.
Further, the International
Solidarity Day is a day to raise public awareness of the importance of
solidarity. It is a day to celebrate our unity in diversity. It is a day to
remind governments to respect their commitments to international agreements. It
is a day to encourage debate on ways to promote solidarity for the achievement
of Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty eradication. It is a day of
action to cheer up new initiatives for the eradication of poverty, as
well.
Supporting other groups of
people, fostering union or fellowship that arise from common responsibilities
and interests, promoting the spirit of solidarity among members of a group,
class or peoples, and the like, are strategies that are oriented to advance
solidarity on international, national, regional and local levels. Partnership
and cooperation for the alleviation of poverty, hunger and disease are part of
the above strategies, too.
Solidarity is identified in
the Millennium Declaration as one of the fundamental values of international
relations in the 21st century. In point of fact, those who suffer or
benefit least deserve help from those who benefit most. Therefore, in the wake
of globalization and the growing inequality, strengthening international
solidarity cannot be dispensed with. A culture of solidarity, along with the
spirit of sharing, is crucial for combating poverty. This is the logic behind
the International Solidarity day.
Furthermore, promoting peace
and human rights, including social and economic development, is dependent on
the level of solidarity. The concept of collective security and the premise of
unity and harmony rely on the degree of solidarity at the local, national,
regional and international levels. It is in the interest of the Member States
to remain and work in a united fashion with the World Solidarity Fund and the
United Nations. Therefore, the call for world level solidarity is in the
benefit of one and all, individuals, communities and nations.
Problems of economic,
social, cultural and humanitarian character cannot be solved in an
individualistic manner. Eradicating poverty and promoting human and social
development in developing countries, especially among the poorest segments of
their populations, is always a united endeavour. Only together, cultural
equality, social justice and the all-round human development can be ensured.
Solidarity is an awareness
of shared interests and objectives that create a psychological sense of unity
among the constituents. Solidarity signifies also the ties in a given society
that bind people together as one. The principle of solidarity is a social,
ethical, political, cultural and spiritual concept. It is fair and just that
benefits and obligations are justly shared among the members of the society.
Solidarity makes families, communities, institutions, organizations, nations and the society at large strong. It brings residents and inmates closer together and reduces conflict. It encourages the members of the group to share their time and resources, as and when required. When everyone benefits from being part of the same community or group, large or small, the spirit of solidarity is intact. This is the way to make the collection of humans viable, meaningful, harmonious and peaceful.
What’s more, solidarity is the willingness to give oneself for the good of one’s neighbour, beyond any individual or particular interest. Social solidarity emphasizes inter-dependence among individuals in the society. It is the way to enhance the lives of others, along with one’s own. It is the core principle of collective action, along with shared values and beliefs. Harmony and peace is possible only through solidarity. Well, at the end of the day, solidarity is a spiritual pursuit, which is essential for the humans to have their being in a meaningful way.
‘International Human Solidarity Day 2022’ is a golden occasion for the
office-bearers of the governmental machinery and citizens of India and all
countries to recommit themselves to live and promote the spirit of solidarity
across the borders at all levels. Making a more egalitarian, harmonious and
peaceful living for the humans is the end result that is awaiting such a noble
task.
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The author is Director, Institute of Harmony and Peace Studies, New Delhi, and
has been committed to education,
cross-cultural perspectives, cross-scriptural values, constitutional values,
social ethics, interfaith relations, communal harmony, national integration and
social wellbeing, for the past over 40
years. He contributes to the above cause through lectures, articles, books, video messages, conferences, social
interactions, views at TV channels, social media, and the like.
He
could be viewed, listened to and
contacted at the following portals – websites ‘www.mdthomas.in’ (p), ‘https://mdthomas.academia.edu’ (p), ‘https://drmdthomas.blogspot.com’(p) and ‘www.ihpsindia.org’
(o); social media ‘https://www.youtube.com/InstituteofHarmonyandPeaceStudies’ (o),
‘https://twitter.com/mdthomas53’ (p), ‘https://www.facebook.com/mdthomas53’ (p);
email ‘mdthomas53@gmail.com’
(p) and telephone 9810535378 (p).
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