Press Release: United Nations Secretary-General Message for World Day of Social Justice , 20 February 2012

PRESS RELEASE

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE ON the World Day of Social Justice

20 February 2012

ISLAMABAD, 17 February 2012 (UN Information Centre) – Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. We uphold the principles of social justice when we promote gender equality or the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants. We advance social justice when we remove barriers that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability.

The General Assembly proclaimed 20 February as World Day of Social Justice in 2007 (A/RES/62/10) , inviting Member States to devote the day to promoting national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development and the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly. Observance of World Day of Social Justice should support 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.

The UN Secretary-General issued the following message on this Day:

"Over the past year, the winds of change have swept across the globe.  Citizens by the millions have voiced their discontent around similar themes: inequality, corruption, repression and the absence of decent work.  At the heart of this mass mobilization lies a call for social justice. 

Achieving social justice for all is integrally linked to realizing the agreed development goals articulated at the Copenhagen Social Summit, the Millennium Summit and elsewhere.  

As we look to the upcoming Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development, we have a chance to rethink development strategies and business practices so that they point us toward a more sustainable and equitable future.

Sustainability depends on building markets that do a better job of spreading the benefits of development.  It means meeting growing consumer demand for greener products and services.  And it means laying the foundations for dignity, stability and opportunity for all.  As we strive to make this transformation, we must integrate social inclusion into our policies and other efforts.

Let us work together to balance the global economy and build a new social contract for the 21^st century.  Let us chart a development path that leads to greater social justice and the future we want."

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