20th February is the World Day of Social Justice promoting national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development.
"The gap between the poorest and the wealthiest around the world is wide and 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."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. The UN upholds the principles of social justice by promoting gender equality and the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants. They advance social justice by removing barriers faced by people because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability.
For the United Nations, the pursuit of social justice for all is at the core of the global mission to promote development and human dignity.
The General Assembly proclaimed 20 February as World Day of Social Justice in 2007, 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.
Source: UN World Day of Social Justice
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Saving Setrus: To Intervene or not to Intervene
A neighbouring state is falling into war. You're the Prime Minister - can you use your political capital to legally intervene? Should you even try?
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Protest Banners
Investigate how protest banners have been used throughout history, the important political messages they have conveyed and how.
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Literacy, social justice and inclusive practice
This free course, Literacy, social justice and inclusive practice, explores some of the tensions and debates linked to the aim of achieving literacy for all, using specific examples. It focuses on current significant debates related to the teaching of the technical aspects of literacy to a ‘sufficient standard’ and debates related to becoming a ‘literate person’. In particular it looks at the way these debates and their implicit conceptualisations of literacy have the potential to both enhance and limit literacy engagement and learners’ participation in the world.
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Restoring social justice by tackling climate change
Can we remove social inequality by addressing environmental challenges?
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Understanding literacy: social justice and inclusive practice
This module examines our understanding of inclusive practice by using literacy and assessment as examples of aspects of education which raise contemporary and historical concerns globally about social justice and equity. Using literacy difficulties and assessment practices as examples, it explores how learner agency is viewed and can be enabled. By examining predominant approaches to issues of social justice and learning from the perspective of the individual and the social, the module moves to consider a range of broader issues relating to social justice, such as setting, labelling and social difference.
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Pro bono work and social justice
Pro bono (‘for the public good’ in Latin) involves lawyers and law students giving up their time on a voluntary basis to help people who need legal assistance but do not have the means to afford it. In this free course, Pro bono work and social justice, you will consider the role of pro bono in law schools. You will examine the relationship between pro bono and legal aid, and evaluate whether pro bono should be mandatory. The theme of social justice will be explored and you will examine how innovation can address the justice gap. You will consider the development of the online court and the role that crowdfunding may play in facilitating access to justice.
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Human trafficking introduction
The phrase "human trafficking" conjures up shocking images - modern slavery that needs tackling, but are people who have been trafficked necessarily asking for protection? Rather than helping, is the language surrounding this very serious issue just part of the problem?
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Everyday encounters with slavery
What forms can modern slavery take? How do we encounter it in our daily lives and if we do, what should we do about it?
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The creation of a conflictual border: India-Pakistan
A pen and paper exercise which barely took account of actual geographies: border creation between India and Pakistan brought about chaos, bloodshed and an enduring distrust between the neighbouring states.
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Modern Slavery Quiz: Would You Prosecute?
Slavery did not end with abolition in the 19th century; it still continues today in every country. Take a look at this scenario and decide whether you should prosecute in this interactive quiz...
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Modern slavery
This free course, Modern slavery, is designed to develop an understanding of the international system of human rights protection in relation to modern slavery, but also encourage an appreciation of the influence of International Human Rights Law on the development of the domestic system of human rights protection.
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Grenfell Tower Timeline: Was the disaster inevitable?
A total of 72 lives were lost in the Grenfell disaster and anger has grown amongst local residents towards their council.
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Grenfell: a site of contempt
A decision to save £293,000 led to the loss of 72 lives and some former residents of Grenfell Tower are still struggling to get the help they need.
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Peace movements in contemporary India and Pakistan
What chances are there for peace between Pakistan and India? What can be done to improve relations? A look at the positive steps that are being taken along the road to peace.
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Reconstructing Peace
Senior Open University lecturer Joe Hanlon gives his personal perspective on the role of reconstruction after civil war
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Politics, migration and questions of legality: can migrants be illegal?
Professor Jo Phoenix looks at the issues of legality around migration and the hard borders which are built across the world.
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Explore the range of migrant experiences: Play Uneven Journeys
Uneven Journeys offers a new way of exploring the routes migrants take to the UK - it takes patience when one false move can put you back where you started.
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What's the difference between a refugee, an asylum seeker and an economic migrant?
They're all people on the move, but their motivations for travel can differ. Jan Semmelroggen explains the differences.
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