Solidarity, a fundamental value in International relations

With Sri Lanka still facing its worst ever socio-economic and political crisis since independence in 1948, President Ranil Wickremesinghe is striving to pull the country out of its debt crisis. The cost of living is soaring and millions of families are in the poverty trap finding it difficult to provide two if not three meals a day, basic healthcare facilities and a proper education for their children. The parents know that higher education is vital for their children because it would play a key role there and determine their status in society. 

It is in this context that we need to contemplate on the United Nations International Human Solidarity day -- 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.

According to the UN Solidarity is identified in the Millennium Declaration as one of the fundamental values of international relations in the 21st Century, wherein those who either suffer or benefit least deserve help from those who benefit most. Consequently, in the context of globalization and the challenge of growing inequality, strengthening of international solidarity is indispensable. Therefore, the UN General Assembly, convinced that the promotion of the culture of solidarity and the spirit of sharing is important for combating poverty, proclaimed December 20 as International Human Solidarity Day. Through initiatives such as the establishment of the World Solidarity Fund to eradicate poverty and the proclamation of International Human Solidarity Day, the concept of solidarity was promoted as crucial in the fight against poverty and in the involvement of all relevant stakeholders. 

The concept of solidarity has defined the work of the United Nations since the birth of the Organization. The creation of the United Nations drew the people and nations of the world together to promote peace, human rights and social and economic development. The Organization was founded on the basic premise of unity and harmony among its members, expressed in the concept of collective security that relies on the solidarity of its members to unite “to maintain international peace and security.”

 It is in the spirit of solidarity that the Organization relies on “cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character” as well. The General Assembly, on December 22, 2005, by a resolution identified solidarity as one of the fundamental and universal values that should underlie relations between peoples in the twenty-first century, and in that regard decided to proclaim 20 December of each year International Human Solidarity Day. 

By a resolution, the General Assembly, on December 20, 2002, established the World Solidarity Fund, which was set up in February 2003 as a trust fund of the United Nations Development Programme. Its objective is to eradicate poverty and promote human and social development in developing countries, in particular among the poorest segments of their populations.

The independent expert on human rights and international solidarity was appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council to develop a draft declaration on the right of peoples and individuals to international solidarity. In 2017, the Council extended the mandate of the independent expert by three years and appointed Nigeria’s Obiora C. Okafor (Nigeria) to the position.  Meanwhile, the UN UN Women marks International Human Solidarity Day with message on gender equality. HeForShe is the United Nations› global solidarity movement for gender equality.

UN Secretary General Antonio Gueterres has said as a global community, we face a choice. Do we want migration to be a source of prosperity and international solidarity, or a byword for inhumanity and social friction? For instance, Pope Francis has started dialogue with the leaders of the all major religions. The vision is to solve crises by Dialogue instead of resorting to war or violence, which has created all sorts of mafias that promote drug smuggling.  Even in Sri Lanka, a large number of children are known to be addicted through the narcotics-base sweet known as Crystal Methamphetamine, known as ICE. What they grow up to be, must give a red alert to society.