A free economy and strong communities honor the dignity of every person, rewarding effort with justice, promoting upward mobility, and building solidarity among citizens.
/Paul Ryan/

The celebration of the International Human Solidarity Day came about five years ago when the United Nations (UN) General Assembly acknowledged solidarity as one of the fundamental and universal values that should govern relations between humans in the twenty- first century.

The theme for this year, "Bridging the Gaps to Reach the Millennium Development Goals" calls for the utilization of the amazing unity in diversity of the human race, by working together towards eradicating poverty, halting the spread of HIV/ AIDS and providing universal primary education by the year 2015. During his message on the day, the General Secretary of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon urged all human kind regardless of their background to work together to keep the promise made at the turn of the Millennium, and leave a legacy of peace, prosperity and sustainable progress for generations to come.

As budgets tighten, we are seeing austerity measures that discriminate against migrant workers, xenophobic rhetoric that encourages violence against irregular migrants, and proposed immigration laws that allow the police to profile migrants with impunity. During economic downturns, it is worth remembering that whole sectors of the economy depend on migrant workers and migrant entrepreneurs help to create jobs.

/Ban Ki-moon/

The 18th of December was proclaimed as the International Migrants Day in the year 2000. It is a day that aims to recognize the efforts, contributions and rights of migrants. It is undeniable the weight the day carries, hence United Nations (UN) called upon the whole world to commemorate this day by sharing information on human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants.

Figures show that throughout the years, migration has amplified in numbers, with 2013 recording 232 million migrants worldwide compared with 175 million in 2000 and 154 million in 1990. The increase between the year 2000 and 2013 shows that as we advance in time so does the movement of people across the globe. The top three most migrated places are the United States of America which hosts the largest number of 45.8 million, followed by the Russian Federation with 11 million, and Germany harboring 9.8 million migrants.

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
/United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights/

What would become of the world without humanity? The results would be shattering and beyond comprehension. This year we celebrate 20 years since the inauguration of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). In December 1993 the United Nations General Assembly formulated the mandate of High Commissioner to safeguard and promote all human rights. It is today that we emphasize on informing our communities on their rights and privileges and the prominence of maintaining them. Special focus should be made most on the most vulnerable sectors of our societies.

Volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.
/Sherry Anderson/

Volunteerism remains the backbone to progress within society. The efforts and endeavors of young volunteers today, are fundamental to attaining the aspirations to a better tomorrow.

The 5th of December was particularly chosen to show appreciation to the voluntary deeds of many, and encourage acts of benevolence within society in pursuit of a world free of opportunism and rich in compassion, selflessness and generosity. This year in accordance to the theme, young people are celebrated as agents of change within their communities and globally.