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Ever since the establishment of the United Nations, human solidarity has been the main focus of its work. With the creation of the UN, people and nations worldwide have come together to promote peace, human rights, and social and economic development. In 2005, solidarity was recognized as a fundamental key to a bright future for humanity by the United Nations General Assembly. Therefore, International Human Solidarity Day was established that year with the purpose of promoting solidarity as a tool to fight against poverty and other issues in our world.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SOLIDARITY
Challenges such as poverty, hunger, and disease have been pressing issues for humanity for decades. Despite ongoing efforts, inequality remains a persistent challenge. According to the World Bank, around 3.5 billion people—44 percent of the global population—still live in poverty, a figure that has changed little since the 1990s. This is where the concept of solidarity comes into focus. Solidarity—unity and mutual support among individuals, groups, or nations in the face of adversity—provides a powerful framework for addressing these challenges together. It can take many forms, such as collective action, resource sharing through donations and aid, knowledge sharing via workshops and training, or partnerships that bring together diverse stakeholders to solve shared problems. By embracing solidarity, we can recognize our shared goals, make collective commitments, and build stronger, more resilient societies. For example, the World Solidarity Fund was established to support poverty alleviation projects, driven by the spirit of solidarity. Similarly, in April 2023, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on “Promoting the social and solidarity economy for sustainable development,” offering innovative pathways to address global challenges.
SOLIDARITY IN ACTION: THE PRIVATE SECTOR'S ROLE
Many people struggle to understand how they, as individuals, can promote solidarity due to a lack of knowledge and clarity on what actions to take. This is where the private sector can play a pivotal role by embracing and advocating for solidarity through their initiatives. The World Economic Forum (WEF) highlights collaboration as a key approach the private sector can adopt to promote solidarity. An example comes from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), whose staff worked with the Ngäbe-Buglé indigenous community in Panama. The team volunteered their time to help develop a marketing plan for local businesses focused on eco-tourism and sustainable production. Through this collaboration, the IDB team not only contributed to the community’s economic growth but also gained a deeper understanding of their culture and challenges. The experience, described as “humbling” and “reinvigorating,” had a transformative impact on the staff, enhancing their work performance and, in turn, benefiting the business.
Though the progress on poverty, hunger, and disease might be slow, it does not mean they cannot be entirely rid of. Solidarity is one of the fundamental keys to a world without inequality. BRANDi believes collaboration across all sectors can surely help abolish the problems and guide us toward our Sustainable Development Goals. In a world with occurring challenges, a collective power of solidarity is what we need, leading us to a more equitable and promising future.
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