"The idea of human solidarity on a global scale can change the world, solidarity is not just compassion. It is a feeling of unity and common responsibility. We must make it the basis of the contemporary world order ...
Our dreams can change the face of the world but they must be accompanied by actions ".
Speech by Lech Walesa (10 November 2005) at the launching ceremony of the first International Day of Human Solidarity, which will be celebrated on 20 December of each year.
Definition: What does solidarity mean¨
Solidarity comes from the Latin "solidus", whole, consistent. It is the link between the debtors of a legal obligation. This meaning is always that of French civil law (Article 1200 et seq. Of the Civil Code). When solidarity is pronounced, especially for debts, each member of the group is committed, in terms of debt and responsibility, for the totality. The debt can not then be divided and distributed among individuals.
Solidarity is the sense of responsibility and mutual dependence among a group of people who are morally obligated to each other. Thus the problems encountered by one or more of its members concern the whole group. Solidarity leads man to behave as if he is directly confronted with the problem of others, otherwise, it is the future of the group (therefore his own) that could be compromised.
Human solidarity is a fraternal bond and an important social value that unites the fate of all men to one another. It is a humanistic approach that makes people realize that all people belong to the same community of interest.
Solidarity must be distinguished from the altruism that leads to helping others by a simple moral commitment, without the need for reciprocity, as well as cooperation where everyone works in a spirit of general interest for the whole. .
Examples of organizations based on the positive value of solidarity:
• trade unions
• non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
• health or insurance mutuals,
• numerous associations,
• political parties,
A little history
The World Day of Solidarity and the Rejection of Poverty has its origins in a gathering of families in deep poverty in a homeless camp in the Paris region. Father Joseph Wresinski, himself a man from the world of misery, joins these families and makes the promise to get them on the steps of all the places where the future of men is decided (the Elysée, the Vatican and the United Nations). He wants to ensure to these families recognition and existence in the consciousness of humanity. He founded with them in 1957 an association that will later become the ATD Fourth World Movement.
On October 17, 1987, at his call, 100,000 human rights defenders gathered on the Parvis du Trocadero, in Paris, to honor the victims of hunger, violence and ignorance, to tell their story. refusal of misery and call on humanity to unite to uphold human rights. A slab, proclaiming this message, is inaugurated on this occasion on the Parvis of Human Rights and Freedoms, where was signed, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The 100,000 people present are citizens of all backgrounds, backgrounds and beliefs. Some represent senior public, international, national or local authorities. Others are people and families living in extreme poverty and resisting it daily.
Since then, on October 17 of each year, the poorest and all those who reject misery and exclusion gather around the world to show their solidarity and commitment to the dignity and freedom of all be respected: thus was born the idea of the World Day of the Refusal of Misery.
On 17 October 1992, Mr. Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, on behalf of a group of international personalities gathered in the Committee for the World Day for the Refusal of Misery, calls for recognition of the 17 October. A few days later, October 17 is proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly "International Day for the Eradication of Poverty". Since then, the initiatives to celebrate this day have continued to multiply.
1996 was officially designated by the United Nations as the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. This year has been a milestone in the long march of very poor families to be welcomed as partners in places where men think and decide their future.
Connections
Launch of the International Day of Human Solidarity
World Solidarity Day
After September 11, 2001, the idea of a world first aid day was born:
On Saturday, 13 September, around one hundred Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies from five continents celebrated the first World First Aid Day under the theme "First aid - a gesture of humanity that makes a difference". The various events organized for the occasion aimed to show how simple first aid actions can help save lives and make our communities both safer and more humane.
Each of the 179 national societies that are members of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is engaged in first aid programs. Together, they form a global network of approximately 100 million members and volunteers.
First aid is a mark of solidarity and solidarity goes well beyond good feelings, notes Markku Niskala, Acting Secretary General of the International Federation. Solidarity saves lives, not only in disaster situations, but daily, in workplaces, on roads, on beaches, at home. Solidarity is a state of mind through which people protect and help each other regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. Solidarity is a concrete manifestation of compassion and in some cases it is the difference between life and death.
WORKSHOPS
Civic courses
The SENS program, or "Sensibiliser Ensemble", offers citizenship education and solidarity actions for young people, led by Starting Block volunteers and student associations committed to these themes.
RITIMO
To find tools and ideas to do in class, Ritimo is a network of information and documentation centers for international solidarity.
More than 70 places, open to the public, welcome you all over France to inform, act or simply to exchange.
The week (of international solidarity)
Tips, ways to organize an action during solidarity week
The Civic Pole of the Poitiers Academy
Its primary ambition is to federate and connect the different actors of a civic education understood in its widest sense, from the nursery school to the university, whether they come from teaching or from school life. His desire is to reintegrate into a broad dynamic the many initiatives, devices and competitions that remain too often ignored. In this way, he seeks to provide very open, responsive and practical information to those who search his academic site for answers to their questions and ideas to enrich their action.
TO ACT
Secular Solidarity
Association governed by the 1901 law, recognized by public utility since 1990 which brings together 55 organizations (associations, cooperatives, mutuals, unions) related to the public education.
The member organizations of Solidarité laïque and especially the associations of the popular education lead projects of solidarity with the populations ...