Thousands of people worldwide are participating in the ‘Global Solidarity Run’ to express solidarity with those who are forcibly displaced or living in extreme poverty, according to organizers. The event, spearheaded by the Irish charity Sanctuary Runners, is being held in 75 countries, having kicked off in the Solomon Islands last night and set to conclude in French Polynesia tomorrow morning.
The initiative includes numerous runs across Ireland, with strong backing from Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Ireland Funds. Participants are running to raise awareness and support for vulnerable communities affected by conflict, poverty, and climate change.
Speaking at a run in Dublin, Michael Darragh Macauley, a former Dublin footballer and current CEO of Sanctuary Runners, emphasized the event’s significance. “Due to conflict, poverty, and climate change, people are being forced to leave their homes and those they love to find safety and a better life,” he stated. “This run enables people, including refugees, to show solidarity with all their fellow human beings at a time when many seek to divide and stigmatize.”
Bettie Perry, a Solomon Islander residing in County Tipperary, expressed her pride in the event’s origins. Family members participated in the first leg of the run, and she highlighted the plight of those affected by climate change in her homeland. “We are so delighted that the run started in my small country, which is so often forgotten,” she remarked. “Because of climate change and rising sea levels, people are forced to move for safety, and many leave the islands.”
Perry added, “We are proud to have this opportunity to show solidarity with others across the world who are forced to leave their homes through no fault of their own.”
In a message to participants, President Michael D. Higgins commended the Global Solidarity Run as an example of “the solidarity which is needed at all levels.” The event aims to foster a sense of unity and awareness of the struggles faced by displaced individuals globally, highlighting the importance of community support in addressing these critical issues.
As runners lace up their shoes and hit the pavement in various locations, the Global Solidarity Run serves as a reminder of the shared humanity that binds people together, regardless of their circumstances.
