Nelson Mandela Day
“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice."
Monday 18th of July is marked as an international day dedicated to celebrate Nelson Mandela. This is a day for all of us to reconnect with the values that he represented and assess how we can implement his visions and inspirations in our society. Nelson Mandela dreamed of a society without poverty and racial discrimination, where justice, human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected and cherished. A society that is built on equality, freedom of choice and peace for all.
A big part of Mandela’s ideology was dedicated to the elimination of poverty. As a continuation of his lifelong work, the 1st Sustainable Development Goal aims to eradicate extreme poverty and guarantee to everyone the right to dignity in life.
In Mandela’s words:
“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. While poverty persists, there is no true freedom. The steps that are needed from the developed nations are clear.”
The anniversary of Mandela’s birthday is a great opportunity to reflect on those ideas and intensify our efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. After all, according to the UN, everyone has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better, and this day is an occasion for everyone to take action and inspire change.
References https://www.un.org/en/events/mandeladay/legacy.shtml
