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December 20, designated by the United Nations as the International Human Solidarity Day, is an opportunity to reaffirm a fundamental truth: the destinies of human beings are deeply interconnected, and no society can achieve justice, peace, or sustainable development in isolation. Solidarity is the shared spirit underpinning the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
In a world marked by wars, widening inequalities, climate crises, forced displacement, and the growing spread of fear- and hate-based narratives, solidarity means accepting a shared responsibility for the dignity of every human being—especially those who are marginalized, including refugees, migrants, minorities, and vulnerable communities.
Reference to the Declaration on the Right to International Solidarity
This year, global discussions on solidarity have gained renewed significance with the release of the Revised Draft Declaration on the Right to International Solidarity, prepared by Dr. Cecilia M. Bailliet, UN Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity, together with her colleagues.
The draft presents international solidarity not only as an ethical value, but as a human right and a global duty—a duty grounded in human unity and shared responsibility for building a just, peaceful, and equitable international order.
In this document, international solidarity is defined as a mechanism through which individuals and peoples may benefit from a global order based on justice and equality, fully realize their human rights, and ensure sustainable development—without discrimination of any kind.
Preventive and Reactive Solidarity in the Face of Global Crises
The declaration highlights two essential dimensions of solidarity: preventive and reactive. Both are considered indispensable in addressing global challenges and emergency situations, including:
- Public health crises and pandemics
- Climate change and its consequences
- Natural and human-made disasters
- Wars and occupation
- Forced migration and human trafficking
- Poverty and food insecurity
- Violence against women and children
- Racism, hate speech, and violent extremism
- Corruption, organized crime, and illicit financial flows
Within this framework, cooperation among States, international institutions, and non-State actors—based on common but differentiated responsibilities—is recognized as a moral and legal imperative to reduce harm, strengthen capacities, protect the environment, and ensure intergenerational justice.
Civil Society as a Driving Force of International Solidarity
The declaration identifies civil society as a key driving force of sustainable international solidarity. Strengthening civil society organizations, countering misinformation and hate speech, and creating safe spaces for social and interfaith dialogue—including free, secure, and equitable access to the Internet—are considered essential prerequisites for people-centered and lasting solidarity.
The document also emphasizes gender solidarity, human-centered protection of refugees and migrants, guaranteed access to justice, and sustained efforts to combat corruption and injustice.
A Warning Against Divisive Narratives
International Human Solidarity Day also calls for vigilance against narratives that seek to simplify complex social and economic challenges by blaming specific groups—particularly migrants, refugees, or minorities.
Such approaches, often promoted by populist and far-right movements, do not offer real solutions. Instead, they weaken social cohesion, undermine solidarity, and deepen existing divisions.
The Roya Institute’s Perspective: Solidarity Must Become Action
The Roya Institute believes that genuine solidarity goes beyond rhetoric and finds its true meaning only when translated into action:
- In defending human rights and human dignity,
- In standing with migrants, refugees, and vulnerable communities,
- In strengthening intercultural and interfaith dialogue,
- And in collective efforts toward social justice and inclusive development.
On International Human Solidarity Day, we affirm that empathy, shared responsibility, and international cooperation are not signs of weakness. Rather, they are the very foundations for building a more just, humane, and sustainable world for all.