‘It is in your hands’, this year’s rallying call for Nelson Mandela Day will resonate with all fighting and campaigning for equality, not just in South Africa but across the globe even to our communities in Ireland. Denise Charlton reflects on why Mandela’s message continues to matter.
A United Nation’s designated day the birthday of the late South African President and global equality champion is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the many challenges facing our communities, our country and our planet.
The Noble Peace Prize Winner would be saddened to see that on this 18th July his achievements will be remembered in deeply divided societies grappling to respond to wars, economic uncertainty and the ever-present danger of climate change.
Yet the 2024 theme reminds us that the power to change that literally lies within us all.
In his special message the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres answers that call, ‘We can choose to transform the international economic and financial system in the name of equity. We can choose to fight racism, respect human rights, combat climate change, and create a world that works for all humanity.’
Fine and well-intentioned words, which no doubt will be echoed by policymakers here.
Yet is only through actions and policies which work that the transformed world desired by Mr Guterres can be achieved.
At Community Foundation Ireland we are honoured to work with 5,000 voluntary, community and charitable groups many of which are confronting inequality on the ground every day.
They can tell you that while the national economics maybe looking rosy and the prospect of a giveaway budget is on the horizon; in tens of thousands of homes those big headlines are far from the everyday reality.
We know from our partnership with the Children’s Rights Alliance to deliver the Child Poverty Monitor each year that more than 260,000 children are living in ‘enforced deprivation’. A give-away budget seems irrelevant when once again this September you have to choose between heat, clothing or food for your children.
We see also from our work with civil society the exclusion of entire communities. Travellers, refugees and minorities pushed to the sidelines or simply ignored.
Then the emboldened voices of division and hate seeking to use fear, uncertainty and lies to advance extremist agendas. Following an agenda which denied Nelson Mandela and millions of his fellow citizens their rights in apartheid South Africa.
Amidst these challenges it would be easy to despair, yet today we must take inspiration from the example provided by President Mandela.
Our country may have huge barriers to overcome to achieve full equality, but we do now have the resources which if used correctly will allow significant strides forward.
Policymakers would do well to resist the temptation of a political give-away budget but to take a more strategic approach and make the investments needed to achieve equality.
Targeting supports at those in the greatest need would be significant. Such an approach to children’s allowance recommended last year by Poverty, Income Inequality and Living Standards Research by the ESRI has achieved a ringing endorsement by no less than former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
A firmness is needed in combatting hate. Rights hard fought for cannot be eroded away by those who seek to achieve their agendas by shouting the loudest. Protections for women and children living in violent homes, support and protection for minorities and of course we must meet our responsibilities to shelter all fleeing war.
Positive steps to continue climate action must be speeded up – not slowed down. Government, experts, business and communities must work together like never before to address the biggest challenge of all. It starts with awareness raising and engagement something we as a Foundation are seeing in hundreds of communities across the country.
Nelson Mandela was with us for 95-years. I personally feel honoured that even from afar watching on television that I could draw inspiration from the images of his walk to freedom out of imprisonment on Robben Island.
Mandela’s raised clenched fist showed us passion, determination and drive can never be extinguished. He went on to bring his message of hope and unity to the world telling us ‘May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.’
One of his first stops was to honour Dunnes Stores strikers on Henry Street who refused to handle South African Produce in protest against apartheid. Showing that while of course policymakers and Government’s matter so too do individual actions.
Today all of us are asked to give 67-minutes to support others – a simple act for an individual but taken together forming a power which would be unstoppable.
Denise Charlton is Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland which is on a mission of ‘Equality For All In Thriving Communities’ and since 2000 has through philanthropy provided over €130M in grants.
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