CourtHeath’s Eleanor Doig recorded the above video at the United Nations in Geneva for World Day of Social Justice 2016.

On February 20 every year, the World Day of Social Justice is celebrated. According to the United Nation’s Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, “the gap between the poorest and the wealthiest around the world is wide and growing. This situation is not only between countries but within them, including many of the most prosperous. The World Day of Social Justice is observed to highlight the power of global solidarity to advance opportunity for all”.
In order to achieve social justice, economic systems at the national and global levels should promote principles of:

– justice
– equity
– democracy
– participation
– transparency
– accountability and
– inclusion.

States should promote:

– full employment
– decent work
– gender equality
– access to social well-being and justice.

In government procurement, it is important for social justice that purchasing agencies understand and effectively implement those policies that are designed to promote better social outcomes. For example, the Victorian Skills Guarantee encourages “use of Victorian apprentices, Victorian trainees or engineering cadets drawn from groups who are generally under-represented in industry vocational training such as women, and/or who face barriers to vocational training or the workforce more generally, such as indigenous or older apprentices, trainees or cadets or those with a disability. A key resource to achieve this will be state and federal employment programs for assisting disadvantaged job seekers.”

This policy recognises that where there is significant government funding for infrastructure projects, the benefits should include training and skills development for all Victorians and of disadvantaged members of the community. Read our blog on the Skills Guarantee and our blog about social procurement.

These types of policies also support internationally recognised labour rights for disadvantaged people. The UNGC’s sixth principle is “the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation”

Do you know of other procurement policies that support social justice outcomes?

CourtHeath is a proud participant in the United Nations Global Compact. UNGC says that “Responsible business practices, combined with collaboration and innovation, can bring about powerful change in markets and societies – proving that principles and profits go hand in hand.” Be a part of something better.

Image: World Day of Social Justice
Video production: Maxim Goupil