Social justice

The general framework of Social justice is “the creation of just relationships at all system levels; 2) the development of structures that provide for equality of opportunity; 3) the facilitation of access to needed information, services and resources; and 4) the support of meaningful participation in decision-making for all people.” <ref> American Capitalism and Social Justice power point</ref> A good definition of social justice is greater equality of condition as well as of opportunity, freedom from exploitation, and freedom to realize human potential. Each person should be able to affect the decisions that in turn affect him or her, and we should each be able to do this in proportion as we are affected by those decisions.

The United Nations and social justice

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories." <ref> http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/ </ref> There are select articles that uphold the idea of social justice and they are as follows:

• Article 23

1. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
2. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
3. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
4. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

• Article 24

1. Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

• Article 25

1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

• Article 26

1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

• Article 28

1. Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

References

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