World Day of Social Justice 2027 is on Saturday

About World Day of Social Justice

The World Day of Social Justice focuses on the idea that peace and prosperity depend on fairness: people need decent jobs, fair pay, social protection and equal treatment regardless of gender, age, origin or disability. The UN, the International Labour Organization (ILO), governments, trade unions and employers use the day to look at how far the world is from those goals and what policies could close the gap.

The UN General Assembly created the day with resolution 62/10, adopted on November 26, 2007. It declared that, beginning with the Assembly's 63rd session, February 20 would be observed every year as the World Day of Social Justice, so the first observance took place in February 2009. In the resolution, the Assembly recognized that social development and social justice are needed to achieve and keep peace and security, and that they cannot be reached without peace and respect for human rights.

The day is closely tied to the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization, which the International Labour Conference adopted unanimously on June 10, 2008. According to the UN, it was only the third major statement of principles adopted by the conference since the ILO's 1919 Constitution, following the 1944 Declaration of Philadelphia and the 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. It puts the ILO's Decent Work Agenda at the center of the organization's work.

The UN chose the 2026 theme "Renewed Commitment to Social Development and Social Justice," following the Second World Summit for Social Development and its Doha Political Declaration.

Sources: United Nations: World Day of Social Justice, General Assembly resolution 62/10 (2007), ILO: Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization. How we check dates.

How to mark World Day of Social Justice

• Read the short ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization, or a summary of the Decent Work Agenda, and discuss it with coworkers or classmates.
• Look up the minimum wage, paid leave and unemployment protections where you live, and compare them with a neighboring country or state.
• Volunteer with or donate to a local group that offers job training, legal aid or help with applying for benefits.
• Ask a union, worker center or employer group in your area to speak to your class or community group about working conditions.
• Watch a UN or ILO event streamed for the day and share one finding with your network.

World Day of Social Justice dates