Next Monday (February 20th) will be celebrated as World Social Justice Day , a date declared by the UN , which invites everyone to reflect on the importance of strengthening global solidarity and dialogue to overcome barriers and generate opportunities in the fight against inequalities. This date and this thought align with the activities of the Bem Maior Movement , which was born precisely believing in philanthropy as a driving force for social justice to be deeply established in Brazil.
When we speak conceptually about this type of justice, we are referring to a commitment that members of civil society and governments should have to compensate for social imbalance and ensure equal rights. The American philosopher John Rawls (1921-2002), author of "A Theory of Justice" (one of the most important works of 20th-century philosophy), sought in his works to understand how a just society can be built.
To achieve equity, Rawls pointed to the need to guarantee fundamental freedoms and equal opportunities, with disparities only being acceptable if they serve to help the most disadvantaged.
When we observe the current reality in Brazil and several other nations, unfortunately, we see how brutal the imbalance is, with populations suffering because of economic crises, corruption, armed conflicts, disasters, and so many other factors. In this context, the Day of Social Justice signifies a renewed call for mobilization around initiatives that seek to provide answers at regional, national, and global levels.
An effective way to respond to this mission for social justice is to support and invest in strategic philanthropy , which strengthens civil society organizations so that they are able to prepare, structure themselves, and act to achieve systemic transformation.
Philanthropy – supported by private social investment (which is the mobilization of private resources for public purposes, done in a planned, monitored and systematic way) – can act as a catalyst for change towards a more dignified society.
For this to happen, it is essential that institutions receive the necessary support to move beyond one-off projects and to move forward firmly, with long-term planning and intentionality, towards the root causes of the problems.
When an organization manages to develop, for example, a solution that promotes sustainable food production suitable for semi-arid regions, the result can be transformative, as the benefited region gains in increased production for subsistence and income generation. By strategically supporting a project like this, aligned with its purpose, civil society makes systemic transformation a reality.
Approaching strategic philanthropy in this way, as a means to social justice, is a practice that is embodied in the work of the Bem Maior Movement. As a funding organization, we support initiatives with financial resources and expertise, as well as building bridges between them, using methodologies that aim for a positive and lasting social impact on the quality of life for a large proportion of Brazilians.
The focus on generating transformation is present in all stages of the work of the Bem Maior Movement, whether in defining priority causes, selecting initiatives, or monitoring results. For example, one of the practices adopted in social investment processes is the curation and sharing of successful experiences so that projects with scaling potential can expand their impact and become a benchmark for the development of public policies.
May the reflection brought about by World Social Justice Day attract more members of society to the fight for an equitable Brazil. The causes to be addressed are complex and diverse, but by combining our efforts, we are on the right path to reducing social inequalities and guaranteeing equal rights.
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