Fair trade works thanks to social commitment.
Social commitment is the responsibility assumed by an individual or an organization to seek the common good . It is a moral obligation that leads to acting for the benefit of the community, privileging the collective over the particular.
In this way, social commitment is reflected in activism , volunteering and philanthropy , for example. The concept can also be associated with citizen participation in politics, the work of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and corporate social responsibility .
Importance of social commitment
Social commitment consists of the development of actions guided by empathy and community duty . These efforts are essential to address the multiple daily challenges that affect both specific groups and humanity as a whole.
Those who are committed to society try to promote sustainable development , defend human rights and promote access to education, to name a few possibilities. The fight against poverty is another motivation for social commitment, which usually seeks the social inclusion of the disadvantaged.
This commitment is necessary in governments, community associations, companies and social movements, but also in each person. Objectives such as the conservation of biodiversity, the reduction of inequality , gender equality and the protection of cultural heritage can only be achieved with the intervention and contribution of all citizens.
The fight against climate change requires a global social commitment.
Values and skills
The notion of social commitment is linked to different values and attitudes. Respect , tolerance and solidarity are engines that activate and guide the will to help others and build a community with social justice.
These goals demand community work. An open mind is required to accept differences and generate consensus: transformation can only occur when social commitment is shared and each individual can put the group purpose before their vision .
However, beyond good intentions, lasting and long-term changes can only be brought about by work based on technical and scientific knowledge. There are procedures and intervention strategies that, to be implemented, require skills and knowledge that are obtained from study and research.
In other words, all human beings can (and must, according to an ethical perspective) act for the collective good . But for this social commitment to cause a deep and sustainable transformation over time, it has to be channeled in the appropriate way. In addition to the training of citizens, positive leadership and institutions are needed that function as useful instruments for community well-being.
Social commitment can be seen in international solidarity in the face of a war conflict.
Examples of social commitment
Let's take the case of a young woman who, moved by the poverty that exists in her city and with the intention of promoting social integration , decides to start a social enterprise . The girl begins to make cookies and hires people who are homeless to be in charge of marketing them on public roads. This entrepreneur meets all the formal requirements regarding food safety in production and respects the rights of the worker with decent wages and abiding by the rules. Thanks to their social commitment, women promote the solidarity economy and fight against discrimination, giving those who are homeless an opportunity for progress.
Another example of social commitment can be found in a group of activists who, concerned about environmental sustainability , decide to carry out a community action that aims to promote recycling and responsible consumption. In this context, they develop awareness campaigns about renewable energies, carbon footprint reduction, conservation of oceans and seas and other issues that care for the environment.
Social commitment also appears in a family that works for the protection of animals , promoting the responsible adoption of pets and paying for food and veterinary expenses for stray dogs and cats.
This commitment can even be seen in the digital activism of those Internet users who defend the right to information and freedom of expression with active participation in social networks.
Help in emergencies
Although it is possible to list multiple everyday examples, perhaps the most notable mechanism of social commitment occurs when a catastrophe occurs. When a war breaks out, to mention one case, it is common for humanitarian aid to be sent to the area soon. This reveals the commitment of government authorities and the international community, but also of individuals who contribute to food banks and provide help in other ways to assist victims.
If an earthquake or flood occurs, on the other hand, solidarity campaigns are generally organized to collect clothing, non-perishable food, diapers and other essential items. This social commitment is born from the pain generated by seeing the suffering caused by the phenomena in question.
Although this assistance is essential, the ideal is that the social commitment is permanent and not subject to the situation or contingencies. As we indicated above, true social transformation requires the participation and effort of each human being in pursuit of global improvement.