This term is especially worth remembering in the Czech Republic, where we often rely on the word equality and the notion that equality in various areas still hasn't been achieved. The International Day of Social Justice, however, reminds us that equality alone may not be enough—for example, when it results in equality in poverty, equality in humiliation, or equality in lack of opportunity.

Social justice is a much more complex concept. It doesn’t have a fixed or universally accepted definition. It is as fluid as the world it aims to transform. It not only implies a somewhat static notion of equality, but also the eradication of poverty, undignified living conditions, social exclusion, unemployment, lack of social protection or human rights. It takes into consideration the fact that we all start from different positions.

In its ideal form, social justice refers to a system of social ties and principles in which no individual is disadvantaged or penalized in advance for their characteristics or circumstances beyond their control. This could include their place of birth, gender, race, physical ability, the financial situation of their parents, the environment in which they grew up, educational access, or job opportunities in their local area. Individual effort alone cannot compensate for these imbalances. Ensuring equal opportunities and fair, respectful treatment for all requires building a society grounded in solidarity—one in which even those who currently benefit from inequality will experience a better quality of life. Only a socially just society can truly be sustainable, resilient, and compassionate.

The International Day of Social Justice invites us to reflect on the subtle connections that shape our own lives and the lives of others—and to begin considering more factors in our decisions and actions than we are used to. On this occasion, we’ve selected a few of our debates and podcasts to help guide us along this path.

You can listen to the panel debate Poor Czech Republic, in which social anthropologist Lucie Trlifajová and journalists Saša Uhlová and Helena Truchlá discuss social inequalities and life in adverse economic conditions. The barriers faced by Roma men and women in the cultural sphere are explored by singer Alžběta Ferencová, documentarian Vera Lacková, musician Vojta Lavička, and journalist Alica Heráková in the debate Equality in Art. Wondering how to fight oppression and political violence? Filipino artist and activist Kiri Dalena speaks about her experience in the podcast Reaction to Arbitrariness. Hear how young Central Europeans perceive inequality and what they believe needs to change in the debate True Freedom Has Not Yet Been Achieved. “Whoever does not have a croissant does not have freedom,” proclaim the young participants of Ji.hlava for Children in their social-experimental podcast The Basic Unit of Freedom is a Croissant. And finally, this essay by Hungarian gender theorist Dorottya Rédai provides insights into how society can be transformed through caring relationships.