International Human Solidarity Day

What Is International Human Solidarity Day?

December 20 is "International Human Solidarity Day," established by a UN General Assembly resolution in 2005. Solidarity means supporting one another and working together toward shared goals. The day celebrates humanity's unity in diversity and is meant to remind people of the importance of solidarity in achieving goals such as the Millennium Development Goals adopted in 2000, including the fight against poverty.

Global Challenges That Call for Solidarity

• Poverty and hunger: Around 700 million people worldwide still face hunger, and hundreds of millions are estimated to live in extreme poverty
• Climate change: An unequal structure in which emissions from developed nations contribute to disasters and food crises in developing countries
• Infectious disease: As COVID-19 demonstrated, an outbreak in one country can quickly affect the entire world
• Widening inequality: Some estimates suggest the wealthiest 1% hold nearly half of the world's wealth

Putting Solidarity Into Practice

• Fair trade: Choosing to support trade practices that ensure producers in developing countries receive fair compensation
• Donations and crowdfunding: Providing financial support to people facing hardship
• Volunteering and NGO work: Direct participation in efforts to address local and international challenges
• Conscious consumption: Choosing products and companies that reduce harm to the environment and workers

This day is about nurturing a spirit of solidarity — valuing "everyone's well-being" rather than just "my own."