2024-12-20

Solidarity must be more than humanity

Thoughts on the International Day of Human Solidarity on 20 December

There are different types of solidarity, depending on to whom it is granted. These can be individuals, social groups, minorities, peoples or entire nations. Solidarity can be shown in the form of verbal, written or financial support and can also take the form of active help. Depending on the point of view, it is either welcome or rejected, and in many cases at least controversial. This article is about a kind of solidarity that any reasonable person can normally agree with. It is about comprehensive solidarity in the sense of a positive awareness of humanity.

In December 2005, the United Nations added International Human Solidarity Day to its already impressive collection of UN days. It was to be

  • 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;

  • a day of action to encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication.

That's all correct, of course. But if it is about the survival of humanity in a future worth living, it is not enough. We need stronger visions. We need more courage for utopias. We need humanity united in a democratic World Federation. To find out what a federal World Union could achieve, please read my article on a conceivable system of global justice and solidarity at Substack.

KOMPENSO - by Richard Maxheim - Substack von Richard