EU Commissioner Michael McGrath urges people across Europe to support the Global Solidarity Run - an Irish solidarity initiative

The Global Solidarity Run, the brainchild of the Irish not-for-profit organisation Sanctuary Runners, encourages people across the world to run, jog, walk or roll any distance, anywhere on Saturday, 11 October in a display of solidarity with all those who are forcibly displaced and those living in extreme poverty. 

The initiative, supported by Irish Aid, the European Commission and the Ireland Funds is now in its second year and will have communities taking part in far away locations such as the Solomon Islands, in rural communities of Brazil, in Palestine’s West Bank and across Africa.

Today, Commissioner McGrath led a 5km walk and run through Parc du Cinquantenaire in central Brussels.

He said: “By walking together with the Sanctuary Runners, we send a powerful message of solidarity — that Europe stands shoulder to shoulder with refugees, asylum seekers, and all those forced to flee war and hardship. This global movement, born in Cork and now spreading across the world, unites people through friendship, respect, and shared humanity. In every step we take, we uphold the values at the heart of the European Union.”

Sanctuary Runners’ founder and head of International Development Graham Clifford told those gathered why solidarity with those facing the most difficult of challenges is especially important now - as some seek to demonise migrants and those seeking safety and sanctuary.

He said: “This is an opportunity for people to step up and show, through their actions, that they want to see a world in which every single human life is valued equally. To push back against divisive rhetoric and misinformation which is designed to instill suspicion, mistrust and fear of the other. To harness the collective will of people to say to leaders and those in positions of power that we demand policies and strategies which focus on the treatment of human beings and not other factors. To drop the labelling and the politicising of the most vulnerable and to step up for all in the pursuit of a fairer, more just world for everybody. To run as one.”

Mr. Clifford also met with representatives from Commissioner for Equality Lahbib’s Cabinet while in Brussels and stressed the need for a compassionate and humane approach to community integration across Europe.

Also adding his voice to the call to action ahead of this year’s Global Solidarity Run is Minister for International Development Neale Richmond who said it was an opportunity for people globally to call for greater support for those most in need at a time when some countries were pulling back on international supports for the world’s most vulnerable people.

Speaking from the UN General Assembly High Level Week in New York, Neale Richmond, Irish Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora said:

“One of the biggest crises we face today is our collective ability to respond to the suffering of our fellow human beings. At a time of unprecedented need, too many countries are cutting funding aimed at saving lives and making the world a better place. At the UN General Assembly and elsewhere, Ireland is loudly calling for solidarity and cooperation to be at the heart of the international system. The Global Solidarity Run is a fun and positive way people around the world can join that call. Around the world, people will take part in the Global Solidarity Run on 11 October to make their voice heard.”

The Global Solidarity Run – 11 October 2025

The Global Solidarity Run initiative, is supported by the Government of Ireland, the European Commission and the Ireland Funds, will take place officially on Saturday, 11 October.

From Addis Ababa to Tokyo, Sydney to Toronto, New York to Pretoria and Copenhagen to Buenos Aires, people will join forces for a unique moment of global solidarity.

Sanctuary Runner groups in 40-locations across Ireland will be marking the day with runs, jogs and walks.

The Global Solidarity Run, now in its second year, enables people in 100 countries worldwide to show solidarity with all those who are forcibly displaced and those living in extreme poverty.

To read more about the Global Solidarity Run and find out how to get involved on 11 October visit: Global Solidarity Run 2025 | Irish Aid | Ireland.ie | Ireland.ie