UN Marks Nelson Mandela Int’l Day with Call for Collective Action Against Poverty and Inequality
The United Nations has marked Nelson Mandela International Day 2025 with a renewed call for collective action to tackle poverty, inequality and injustice. UN Secretary-General António Guterres paid tribute to Mandela’s enduring legacy, describing him as “a towering global figure who proved that one person’s courage and vision can inspire the world to change.”
The International Day, celebrated every 18 July, honours Mandela’s life and values, encouraging people across the globe to dedicate 67 minutes of their time to community service, representing the 67 years Mandela spent fighting for equality and human rights. This year’s theme emphasises that “the power to create change lies in our hands,” a reminder that grassroots efforts remain central to solving the most pressing global challenges.
Guterres highlighted that poverty and inequality remain two of the most significant barriers to peace and sustainable development, especially in regions hardest hit by climate change, conflict, and economic hardship. “Mandela believed in the power of collective, grassroots action. He knew that ordinary people could bend the arc of history,” the Secretary-General noted.
Communities worldwide have been marking the day with clean-up exercises, food drives, tree-planting initiatives, and advocacy events aimed at advancing social justice. In Africa, where Mandela’s struggle began, youth-led organisations are using the occasion to mobilise efforts around education, job creation, and climate resilience, drawing inspiration from Madiba’s own belief that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
The United Nations, now in its 80th year, used the day to reaffirm its commitment to the values Mandela championed: freedom, dignity, reconciliation, and human rights for all. Guterres urged individuals, governments, and businesses alike to act decisively, stressing that “lasting change begins with each of us, in our communities, with solidarity as our guide.”
Mandela, South Africa’s first democratically elected president, remains a symbol of forgiveness and resilience, having led the fight against apartheid and worked tirelessly to unite a divided nation. The International Day reminds the world that his vision of equality and social justice is still a work in progress, requiring continued dedication and action.
