International Day of Friendship.
The world faces a large number of challenges and threats: poverty, violence, violation of human rights. This undermines international peace and security, social foundations, creates obstacles to development, divides people and societies. In order to successfully confront these challenges and threats, it is necessary to root out their causes. This can be achieved through the expression of solidarity, which can take many forms. First of all, it is friendship, it makes us closer. Together we can achieve agreement, create normal conditions for the existence of all people striving to make the world a better place.
The ideological basis for the new date was the Declaration and Program of Action for a Culture of Peace and the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Benefit of the Planet (it covered 2001-2010).
The UN invited government agencies, as well as international and regional organizations to celebrate this day in accordance with the cultural traditions of a particular country and organize events and initiatives that will contribute to the efforts of the international community and will be aimed at promoting dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.
The resolution especially emphasizes the importance of the new date in strengthening friendly relations between different peoples. “Friendship among peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and provide an opportunity to build bridges between societies that honor cultural diversity,” the document says.
In addition, one of the tasks of the International Day of Friendship is to attract young people, including future leaders, to social activities aimed at a respectful perception of different cultures.
Currently, in many countries of the world, events are held annually to promote friendship and tolerant attitude towards others.