December 20, 2020 marked the 15^th anniversary of International Human Solidarity Day. Since 2005, this holiday has been observed by the United Nation General Assembly and its other member states. In the UN Millennium Declaration, solidarity is recognized as one of the basic values of international relations, wherein the ones who suffer or are least-benefitted deserve assistance from those who receive the most benefits.

The idea of solidarity was promoted through the World Solidarity Fund, which was established to eradicate poverty in 2003. Through UN Resolution 60/209, solidarity was recognized as one of the fundamental and universal values in the 21^st century. In light of globalization and growing inequality, the UN realized that strong international solidarity and cooperation was needed to achieve its Millennium Development Goals.

According to the United Nations, International Human Solidarity Day is a day to celebrate our unity in diversity; a day to remind governments to respect their commitments to international agreements; a day to raise public awareness of the importance of solidarity; a day to encourage debate on the ways to promote solidarity for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals including poverty eradication; and a day of action to encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication.

On this day, the United Nations encourages new initiatives for the eradication of poverty and there are events across the world to promote solidarity. Many of these events focus on how to combat poverty and include presentations, seminars, conferences and roundtable discussions. This year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, celebrations were not the same as before; however, there was a heavy focus on those countries most affected by the virus.

“Solidarity is humanity. Solidarity is survival. That is the lesson of 2020. With the world in disunity and disarray trying to contain the #Covid19 pandemic, let’s learn the lesson and change the course for the pivotal period ahead.” – UN Chief Antonio Guterres

 

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