International Day of Charity
Like the notions of volunteerism and philanthropy, charity provides real social bonding and contributes to creating inclusive and more resilient societies. Charity can alleviate the worst effects of humanitarian crises and supplement public health care, education, housing, and child protection services. It assists in advancing culture, science, sports, and cultural and natural heritage protection. It also promotes the rights of the marginalized and underprivileged and spreads the message of humanity in conflict situations.
In the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development adopted in September 2015, the United Nations 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 Agenda also calls for a spirit of strengthened international solidarity, particularly 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 implementing the new Agenda.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the Agenda can be grouped into six critical areas: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership. They have the potential to transform our lives and our planet by providing the framework needed for philanthropic institutions to enable all people to contribute to the betterment of our world.