Each country is responsible for reducing the number of its impoverished citizens and creating social justice. Current development concept, however, emphasised on economic affairs while social development concept does not. Hence, real measures from government and stakeholders are required to achieve social justice through social development and welfare approach.
This emerged in the closing of the 21st International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) organised by Social Development and Welfare Department UGM on Friday(19/7). Hundreds of experts from 28 countries attended the gathering related to views and experience in social development to support SDGs achievement.
Professor from UGM, Prof. Dr. Susetiawan, said that injustices, oppression, and vulnerabilities came to the background of human right protection. “Human rights protection will support social development and empowerment,” he said.
Susetiawan added, however, that approaches to human right still emphasised on individual ones that ignore collective rights. “A rethinking is therefore needed related to human rights to achieve social justice,” he said.
Social issues researcher from University of Johannesburg,Prof. Leila Patel, said social development was key to achieving social justice goals. She considered that economic development ought to be balanced with social development.
Meanwhile, President of the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) said there were four principles of social development through ecological approach, namely respect and care, integrity, economic and social justice, and democracy.
Ir. Sigit Reliantoro, M.Sc, Secretary at Environment and Forestry Ministry, said the government had company performance ranking assessment programme regarding environment to encourage companies achieving social justice goals. “This responsibility comes as the company’s effort to the commitment of achieving the SDGs,” he said.