International Day of Friendship
In 2011, the United Nations proclaimed the International Day of Friendship with the idea that friendship between people, countries, and cultures can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. On this day we want to involve young people and youth organisations in community activities that include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity.
The International Friendship Day is celebrated on the 30th of July annually. The Friendship Day was originally created by the greeting card industry and was promoted by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark cards in 1919. It was, then, proclaimed by the United Nations’ General Assembly with an idea that friendship between people, cultures, and individuals can inspire harmony and build bridges between countries. This day is observed not only on the recognition of friendship in the general sense but also its relevance and noble value that friendship has in the sentiment and lives of human beings around the world.
Today, our world faces many challenges, crises and forces of division such as: poverty, violence, and human rights abuses among many others that undermine peace, security, development and social harmony among the world's peoples. To confront those crises and challenges, their root causes must be addressed by promoting and defending a shared spirit of human solidarity that takes many forms the simplest of which is friendship.
Through friendship by accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability, weave a safety net that will protect us all, and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good.
As the contribution of World Assembly of Youth (WAY) in observing the International Day of Friendship, we encourage all stakeholders, youth organisations included, to hold events and activities that promote peace, unity, mutual understanding, and reconciliation. Every year, new friendships are born during our events while our young participants work together in the achievement of youth betterment.
On this International Day of Friendship, we would like to celebrate the ties that bind us together, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or borders. We encourage young people and youth organisation to foster a culture of peace through education, and to promote sustainable economic and development in their communities.
Let us cultivate solidarity as a single human family on our one and only planet by pursuing true and lasting friendship.