International Day of Friendship
This day is celebrated based on the proposal made by the UNESCO. The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures, and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
The day defined the culture of peace as a set of values, behavior, and attitude. It rejects the violence and endeavors to prevent conflicts by addressing their root causes with a view to solving problems.
What is the history of International Friendship Day?
The concept of an International Day of Friendship was first proposed during the late 1950s by Dr. Ramon Artemio Bracho during a dinner party he was having with friends at his house in Puerto Pinasco, Paraguay. This idea would spring the World Friendship Crusade, an organization that would petition the United Nations for several decades to get them to institute their idea for a World Friendship Day.
Objective of celebrating International day of friendship are as follows:
- Foster a culture of peace through education
- Promote sustainable economic and social development;
- Promote respect for all human rights;
- Ensure equality between women and men;
- Poster democratic participation;
- Advance understanding, tolerance and solidarity;
- Support participatory communication and the free flow of information and knowledge;
- Promote international peace and security
The International Day of Friendship is also based on the recognition of the relevance and importance of friendship as a noble and valuable sentiment in the lives of human beings around the world.
How to celebrate the International Day of Friendship?
To mark the International Day of Friendship the UN encourages governments, international organizations and civil society groups to hold events, activities, and initiatives that contribute to the efforts of the international community towards promoting a dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding, and reconciliation.
Conclusion
International Day of Friendship is the perfect day for people to get together, have fun and remind themselves that the diversity of people from all over the world need not divide us but should bring us all together. It’s also a great day to rekindle close personal relationships or just have a good time with friends.
