A reminder of our commitment to social justice

Today, and February 20th annually, is World Day of Social Justice 世界社会正義の日. It is an international observance established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 and first marked in 2009. Its purpose is to draw global attention to the ongoing need for fairness, dignity, and equal opportunity in every society. 

The concept of “social justice” has deep historical roots, appearing even in medieval chivalric ideals, but it became a clearly defined modern principle through movements for human rights, equality, and economic fairness. Today, the term encompasses a wide range of efforts: protecting fundamental rights, reducing discrimination, ensuring access to education and employment, and promoting systems such as progressive taxation that help redistribute wealth more equitably.

 With everything that is going on in the world, it feels to me, like social justice is regressing rather than progressing. It is good to have an annual anniversary that reminds us of our commitment to social justice.