If the world were a village of 100 people

With Social Justice Day fast approaching on the 20th February, we thought you might find the below images incredibly interesting. They consider if the world was actually just a village of 100 people and use statistics to illustrate how many of those within the village would, for instance be educated in higher education, have access to safe and clean water or the languages they would speak.

We put together a range of activities to facilitate discussions and understanding of the problems we are facing globally with the focus being the upcoming social justice day. What do you think of the statistics? Do any of them shock you? How do you feel about social justice? What are you doing to raise awareness of social justice issues where you are?:

*We cannot verify the absolute facts of everything above but believe they are valuable illustration of social justice statistics. Images are from http://www.coolpicturegallery.net/2010/04/if-only-100-people-lived-on-earth.html

UN Day of Social Justice, 20th February

'Social Justice means complete and genuine equality of all people.' Paul George, Executive Director Peninsula Peace and Justice Centre.

The 20th February is UN Day of Social Justice. Social Justice is a broad and complex issue but as Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations expressed: 'Social Justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. We uphold the principles of social justice when we promote gender equality or the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants. We advance social justice when we remove barriers that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability.'

We have challenged Raleigh International's Venturers and Volunteer Managers on Expedition 13A to really think about the issues facing us globally and how the work they are undertaking on their projects across Community, Environmental and Adventure phases are helping to positively impact the world we live in. We have asked them to consider how the communities are working towards greater social justice? How has inequality of work rights, in-access to basic public services, issues of race, gender, religion or culture faced them or those they know? How can we all make a difference? What world do we want in 20 years time and how can we help achieve those goals individually and as a group? We will be updating you on their activities and thoughts on social justice with blogs from the Alpha Groups on social justice issues.

Social Justice: Spotlight on Nicaraguan Sugar Cane Workers

Currently in Nicaragua inequalities in social justice, unfair trade, in-access to basic public services such as a health centre and inadequate worker rights have created a situation of terrible inequality and injustice:

The blog readers challenge: Plan a social justice action and tell us about it 

Over the first phase of our projects from today until 20th February our teams will be thinking about social justice issues and we are challenging you to plan a social justice action: What will you be doing to promote the UN Day of Social Justice? Are you going to be promoting it at work or school? Will you begin buying Fairtrade or promoting Fairtrade? Help us shine a light on inequalities faced globally and at home? 

Find out about the UN Day of Social Justice >