Ranjan K Baruah
(With direct inputs from UN/WHO publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)
Most of us love to do charity whenever possible though every one of us may not be in a position to do charity and many can do it and they are doing it. We are aware that the practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need, as a humanitarian act. We have seen individuals or associations doing charities in different places whenever there is a need. In recent times many had helped the poor and needy with foods and other stuff during the lockdown period due to the recent pandemic. Charity, like the notions of volunteerism and philanthropy, provides real social bonding and contributes to the creation of inclusive and more resilient societies.
Poverty is yet to be eradicated from our world and it is a challenge for each of us to eradicate. All countries and governments are concerned about poverty and to eradicate it from the earth. Global developmental goals are mainly targeted to end poverty and hunger apart from other issues. 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.
From Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the main focus is eradicating hunger and poverty. The Agenda 2030 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 new Agenda.
To achieve all global goals and development we need intervention and lots of programmes. There are activities and mega projects being taken up by different countries and international agencies. Sometimes even small efforts from individuals or agencies also matter when it comes to achieving development. In this regard charity can alleviate the worst effects of humanitarian crises, supplement public services in healthcare, education, housing and child protection. It assists the enhancement of culture, science, sports, and the security of cultural and natural heritage. It also endorses the rights of the marginalized and underprivileged living in different situations.
To encourage different charitable activities and acknowledge the importance of charity a special event is being organized around the world. The International Day of Charity was established with the objective of sensitizing and mobilizing people, Non Governmental Organizations, and stakeholders all around the world to help others through volunteer and philanthropic activities. The date of 5 September was chosen in order to commemorate the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 "for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace."
Mother Teresa, the renowned nun and missionary, was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910. In 1928, she came to India, where she devoted herself to helping the needy. In 1948 she became an Indian citizen and founded the order of Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata in 1950, which became noted for its work among the poor and the dying in that city. Mother Teresa's work has been recognized and acclaimed throughout the world and she has received a number of awards and distinctions, including the Nobel Peace Prize. Mother Teresa died on September 5th 1997, at 87 years of age.
In recognition of the role of charity in alleviating humanitarian crises and human suffering within and among nations, as well as of the efforts of charitable organizations and individuals, including the work of Mother Teresa, the General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution A/RES/67/105 designated the 5th of September, the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa, as the International Day of Charity.
The UN recognizes that civic engagement plays an important role in terms of development in creating the desired global change. One of the purposes of the UN, as stated in its Charter, is "to achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character." The UN first did this in the aftermath of the Second World War on the devastated continent of Europe, which it helped to rebuild.
Apart from the initiatives of the UN or any government, every individual may take part in charity activities and contribute towards positive social change. The day provides us with an opportunity to come forward and extend our support and help to others who are in need. We can take inspiration from the activities and works of Mother Teresa and engage in charity for bringing positive social transformation. Let us have global solidarity to eradicate poverty and it would be a matter of shame for each and every one of us if we cannot eradicate poverty and hunger in our lifetime. Let's take up the challenge to achieve SDGS and make the planet a better place to live in as we do not have any other planet to live on.