December 20th is a day set aside for the International Human Solidarity Day celebration. The United Nations defines this day as “a day to celebrate our unity in diversity; a day to remind governments to respect their commitments to international agreements; a day to raise public awareness of the importance of solidarity; a day to encourage debate on the ways to promote solidarity for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals including poverty eradication; a day of action to encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication.” This day is therefore a day of harmony and peaceful co-existence for the entire human race. We are not just celebrating what unites us together as human beings we are also celebrating our harmonious differences – hence, unity in diversity.
Development and human solidarity are two indispensible realities. Solidarity is the essence of development. Without solidarity there will be no development. A tree cannot make a forest. People need to work in harmony for them to achieve greater goals and success. This peaceful and harmonious way of working together is what solidarity is all about. Solidarity is, therefore, the principle that promotes peace, human rights, social and economic development.
St. Pope John Paul II defines solidarity as commitment to the common good: According to him, “Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.” This promotion of the common good does not and should not negate the good and the interest of the individual. As a matter of fact, in solidarity every individual must be carried along.
Solidarity has a vital role to play among the working class. According to Harry Bridges, “The most important word in the language of the working class is “solidarity.” Without solidarity the working class will not achieve much. And when much is not achieved development suffers. Most of the developed countries succeeded through the principle of solidarity. For Angela Merkel and many others, “Solidarity and competitiveness are the two sides of a European coin.” They were the two principles that gave rise to the European development.
At a global level, Solidarity is identified in the Sustainable Development goals as one of the fundamental values of international relations, wherein those who either suffer or benefit least deserve help from those who benefit most. For the UN General Assembly, therefore, “in the context of globalization and the challenge of growing inequality, strengthening of international solidarity is indispensable… The promotion of the culture of solidarity and the spirit of sharing is important for combating poverty.”
At an Audience with members of Italy’s National Association for those injured or disabled at work (ANMIL), Pope Francis upholds that solidarity must be combined with subsidiarity. “Solidarity”, according to him, “is always combined with subsidiarity, which is its completion, so that everyone is allowed to offer their contribution to the common good… We must ensure that “on the one hand, solidarity is never lacking and, on the other, solidarity is not limited to making passive those who can still make an important contribution to the world”. For the Holy Father, therefore, every everybody is important and have something to contribute and this includes the disabled.
Solidarity has a lot to do with Christmas season. Coincidentally, International Human Solidarity day is celebrated on December 20th, five days before Christmas. Christmas itself is a celebration of solidarity. At Christmas we are celebrating the solidarity between God and human beings. God became man so that man might become God. The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ brought reconciliation between humanity and divinity. Heaven and earth were reconciled and reunited in and through Jesus Christ.
In the gospel from Luke 1:39-45 we celebrate the solidarity between our Mother Mary and her cousin sister, Elizabeth. As soon as the angel told Mary that her sister Elizabeth has conceived in her old age she went to visit her to share in her joyful testimony. Hearing the voice of Mary’s greetings Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Our women need to learn from these two great women on how to live in harmony with one another. Women should avoid all forms of jealous, envy and hatred. They should learn how to celebrate with those who celebrate and mourn with those who mourn.
Today, we are not just celebrating the solidarity between Mary and Elizabeth we are equally celebrating the solidarity between our Lord Jesus Christ and John the Baptist. When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, the child leaped in her womb. John the Baptist started celebrating Jesus right from the womb. He recognized and acknowledged Jesus as his Messiah.
The relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus Christ is a relationship of perfect solidarity. In this relationship we find love in action. These two great men saw nothing negative in each other. They were only focusing on the greatness of each other. John told his followers, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:7-8). I wonder how many leaders will acknowledge that their successors or predecessors are greater than they are! John the Baptist was a leader with a difference! He laid the foundation to leadership through solidarity.
Interestedly, when our Lord Jesus Christ started his public ministry he did the same. He never spoke ill of John the Baptist, instead he told his followers, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist…” John the Baptist was declared greatest because he humbled himself. He was not envious. He knew and he maintained his rightful position as the Herald of the Messiah. One important thing our leaders need to learn from this great man is the sense of contentment. A good leader must be contented with his position. He should not eye other people’s position. He should learn to work in harmony and in solidarity with those in power.
Solidarity or communal living is among the vital values in Africa. It is the essence of the African religion and philosophy. Traditional Africans, cannot exist in isolation. They do everything in common. You cannot imagine a traditional African Man living or working in isolation. With this you can now understand why people like John Mbiti declares, “I am because WE are and, since we are, therefore I am.” For the Africans, therefore, there is strength in solidarity. Hence, united we stand but divided we fall. And as Martin Luther King, Jr rightly declares, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” Solidarity is the essence of mutual co-existence.
Most of the agitations we are facing in our country today is as result people’s perceived negligence. Some tribes are feeling neglected and oppressed while others strongly believe that they are born to rule. The principle of solidarity demands that everyone must not just be carried along but also be given equal opportunity.
Finally, as we celebrate International Human Solidarity Day I want to use this medium to appeal to our leaders to carry everyone along. Solidarity is all about unity in diversity. Employments and appointments should not be one-sided. Every individual must be carried along. With solidarity, we are sure of peaceful and mutual co-existence. With the spirit of solidarity, this year’s Christmas will be a peaceful and joyful one. And it shall be well with you in Jesus name – Amen!
