LASPNET to Commemorate World Day of Social Justice 20th Feb
- 19 February 2015 -
- Written by Laspnet
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Social justice is "justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society". It is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. Social justice can be upheld in a number of ways such as promoting gender equality and the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants such as the right to health, education and favorable employment, among others. It is therefore imperative that initiatives geared towards removing
barriers faced by people because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability are promoted.
This view has also been espoused by world leaders such as the UN Secretary - General Ban Ki-moon…,"the gap between the poorest and the wealthiest around the world is wide a nd growing. ... We must do more to empower individuals through decent work, support people through social protection, and ensure the voices of the poor and marginalised are heard."
The debate on social justice has been around for decades but was concret ized towards shared commitments and actions during the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1995, which resulted in the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action. At this summit, more that 100 political leaders pledged to mak e the conquest of poverty and full employment, as well as stable, safe and just societies, their overriding objectives. They also agreed on the need to put people at the center of development plans.
On November 26, 2007, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 20thFebruary as the annual World Day of Social Justice, 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 the World Day of Social Justice is intended to support efforts of the international community towards poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well -being and justice for all. Indeed, some progress has been made in the global campaign against poverty eradication; UNDP has undertaken a number of important studies on poverty eradication in developing countries, many of whom including Uganda have already finalized their national Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP); the World Bank has also published a source book of poverty reduction strategies covering most of the dimensions of poverty – all these studies and strategies confirm that universal education especially at primary level is central to the fight against poverty.
Education is one of the key factors that contribute to a quality population since a well informed population is in a better position to improve their standards of living, consequently becoming less prone to the effects of poverty. The role of education in poverty eradication, in close co -operation with other social sectors, is crucial. No country has succeeded without educating its people. Not only is education important in reducing poverty, it is also a key to wealth creation. Unfortunately in Uganda today, we are constantly seeing education systems being undermined and schools demolished or replaced by other commercial investments without proper recourse to the law. This poses a number of questions regarding our existing education system in terms availability of proper infrastructure and facilities that comply with safety and sanitation standards, equal access to school services regardless of age, religion, race, geograph ical location and inclusion of marginalized groups such as refugees and the disabled , concerns regarding quality, cultural relevancy and acceptability as well as adaptability of our educational programmes to societal changes and the needs of our communities.
Therefore, the focus of this year’s commemorative activities will highlight the education sector (in particular the plight of pupils of former Nabagereka primary school which was demolished in favour of other investments), as we appeal to government to ensure social development through the enactment and enforcement of appropriate legislation, equitable distribution of resources and opportunities and access to justice for all. In the long term, this will create a foundation for social justice, solidarity, harmony and equality within and among countries.
The Legal Aid Service Providers network (LASPNET) in conjunction with Centre for Legal Aid, local leaders, Development partners, the media, Human Rights Defenders and other players in the justice sector will commemorate this year’s world day of social justice under the theme “Take a stand; uphold the right to education for the urban poor”. It will take place on Friday 20th February 2015 at Nakivubo Blue Primary School.
