KARACHI: The International Day of Charity – 5th of Sept – is meant to activate populace all over the world to lend a hand to others by means of charitable actions.
And why 5th of Sept.? United Nations General Assembly, recognizing the role of NGOs and individuals like Nobel Laureate Mother Teresa in assuaging humanitarian predicament had designated her death anniversary as the International Day of Charity.
United Nations reckons that civic engagement plays a vital role in terms of development in creating the desired global change. According to UN it can be done by raising awareness about how difficult challenges are and push for collective action in global issues; enhancing trust amidst diverse groups and build social capital; eliminating societal & cultural barriers, creating cohesion, building resilience through community action, and enhancing the sense of responsibility for one’s community.
United Nations Charter holds that one of its purposes is to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character. One may recall that following WWII the devastated continent of Europe was rebuilt with the support of UN. Presently UN is dependent upon its members regarding coordinating humanitarian relief operations due to natural and man-made disasters in areas beyond the relief capacity of national authorities alone.
United Nations believe that charity provides real social bonding and contributes to the creation of inclusive and more resilient societies. Charity can lessen the worst effects of humanitarian crises, supplement public services in health care, education, housing and child protection.
Charity, according to United Nations, assists the advancement of culture, science, sports, and the protection of cultural and natural heritage. United also believes that charity also promotes the rights of the marginalized and underprivileged and spreads the message of humanity in conflict situations.
United Nations (in the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development adopted in September 2015) recognizes that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.
The said 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development also calls for a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focused in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. It also acknowledges the role of the diverse private sector, ranging from micro-enterprises to cooperatives to multinationals, and that of civil society organizations and philanthropic organizations in the implementation of the Agenda.
It is pertinent to mention here that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth in the Agenda can be grouped into:
1)People,
2) Planet,
3) Prosperity,
4) Peace, and
5) Partnership.
Our lives could be transformed via provision of the framework needed for philanthropic institutions allowing the people to contribute to the betterment of our world.
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