World Day of Social Justice 20th February - By Lizzy Turek

Every year on February 20th, people worldwide observe a significant day known as the World Day of Social Justice. This United Nations day of observance sheds light on the need to search for solutions to achieve sustainable development, poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, universal social protection, gender equality and access to social well-being and justice for all.  This year's theme is Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice. The economic and social crises of recent years have been exacerbated by the consequences of the covid-19 pandemic, natural disasters due to accelerating climate change, geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts (World Day of Social Justice | United Nations).

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) recognises that an organisations’ activities impact on society, the environment and the economy, as well as on their own workforce. One of the most major drives to promote CSR has come from the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development founded on 10 principles in four key areas: human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption and promotes 17 Sustainable Development Goals in the areas of people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership.

Social Justice and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the workplace

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) has become intrinsic to organisational health in the contemporary business world. This is, in part, driven by wider social forces, which encourage organisations to listen to and empathise with a broader group of stakeholders whose interests they affect, including customers, employees, suppliers, vendors, investors, communities and governments (Five ways to drive social justice in the workplace | World Economic Forum (weforum.org).

Corporate Social Justice imagines a healthier and mutually beneficial relationship between companies and the communities they interact with. Customers, employees, and other stakeholders want companies that see social good as a core mission, not just a marketing strategy (We’re Entering the Age of Corporate Social Justice - hbr.org).

Unilever set one of their key business priorities to help build a fairer and more socially inclusive world whereby the CEO and leadership team stepped in to craft a plan which will see the organisation spend €2 billion annually to boost the representation of suppliers from underrepresented groups, equipping 10 million young people with essential skills to prepare them for jobs by 2030. Five ways to drive social justice in the workplace | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

Making Corporate Social Justice a core value of your business:

• Begin with a goal or vision for a more just society.
• Thoughtfully situate your company within the broader ecosystem surrounding that goal.
• Build robust and representative working groups that connect the company with its stakeholders.
• Commit to taking a stance (even if it alienates certain populations of consumers, employees, and corporate partners).
• Regularly evaluate progress.

Social justice is essential in creating a fair and just world for everyone.

Lizzy Turek

Client Research Associate