The Association of South African Social Work Education Institutions (ASASWEI) calls on world leaders at the 2025 G20 Summit to take urgent action for peace, solidarity, equality, and sustainability. 

The petition is endorsed by the IASSW, IFSW & ICSW. 
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As a community of global citizens, committed to the protection and promotion of eco-social justice and human rights, we urge the leaders of the G20 to take compassionate and urgent action to address the deep global crises that we are confronted with. 

We are living in a world marked by division and conflict, where intolerance, discrimination, climate disruption, war, displacement, and corruption undermine the well-being of communities, families and individuals.  These systemic pressures  manifest in a wide range of biopsychosocial ills. Yet, too often responsibility is shifted onto individuals while the structural roots of  dysfunction  remain unaddressed.    

At the heart of many national and global crises lie  stark  inequalities—economic, political, cultural, racial, and gendered—that are compounded by exploitative practices and global imbalances of power. These are further intensified by large-scale  migration caused by violence, wars, poverty, and climate induced disasters.  

The upcoming G20 Summit, in Gauteng, South Africa, on 22-23 November 2025 brings together leaders of prominent nations (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea,  Russia, Saudi Arabia,  South Africa, Turkiye, United Kingdom, United States, the AU, the EU), together with other invited nations and international organizations. Collectively, the G20 represents over 87% of global GDP, 62% of the world’s population and 75% of global trade. This gathering holds the potential to shape strategies for a fairer, more sustainable, and more peaceful world. 

The theme for the 2025 G20 summit—“Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”—invites leaders to recognize that these values cannot be achieved without rethinking systems that place short-term profit over people and planet. In an era defined by rapid technological change, widening inequalities and deepening environmental stress, the time has come to commit to new ways of organizing economic and social life that prioritize human and planetary well-being.    

In this spirit,  we urge the leaders of the G20 to:

• DEEPEN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT BEING HUMAN MEANS

Engage in dialogue to deepen understanding of our shared humanity, the interconnectedness of all people and the inseparable relationship between humanity and the environment.  

• HONOUR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND PHILOSOPHIES 

Recognize that achieving solidarity, equality and sustainability requires more than technical solutions. Indigenous knowledge and philosophical traditions worldwide emphasize interconnectedness, intergenerational responsibility, and stewardship of the planet.

• REGULATE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND AI

Ensure that the benefits of digital technology and artificial intelligence are distributed equitably, and that people are empowered to shape their own lives in an increasingly digital world. 

• REIMAGINE A MORE JUST GLOBAL ORDER

Commit to building  governance systems that prioritize  greater solidarity, equality, sustainability, and peace, moving beyond models that perpetuate exploitation and division. 

• ADVANCE EQUITABLE, INCLUSIVE, AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIES

Pursue economic models that are  equitable, inclusive and environmentally sustainable including “de-growth” where necessary—and  recognize the indivisibility of civil, political, economic, social, cultural and environmental rights.

• MINIMISE CORRUPTION

Design strategies to reduce corruption that benefits political and corporate elites, while disproportionally  harming  the poor,  marginalised, and excluded. 

• INSTITUTE FAIR TAXATION

Adopt fair and efficient taxation systems that strengthen universal benefits, well-funded public services, and distributive justice, thereby fostering trust between governments and citizens and advancing well-being. 

• EXPAND PEOPLE’S FREEDOMS AND CAPABILITIES

Support systems that expand peoples’ freedoms, opportunities, and capabilities, ensuring meaningful participation  in decision-making while  safeguarding the planet.  Where one lives and who one is should not determine inclusion, dignity and survival.

• EMBRACE THE INHERENT DIGNITY OF HUMANITY

 Reimagine  thought and attitude so that the dignity of every person is  respected and protected—reflecting the divinity and worth inherent  in all, irrespective of race, caste, class, gender, religion, language, nationality (dis)ability, or sexual orientation. Recognize that our shared future depends on valuing and enacting human and planetary interdependence.