International Day of Friendship.
The world faces a large number of challenges and threats: poverty, violence, violation of human rights. It undermines international peace and security, social foundations, creates obstacles for development, divides people and societies. To successfully counter these challenges and threats, it is necessary to eradicate their causes. This can be achieved through solidarity, which can be expressed in many forms. First of all it is friendship, it makes us closer. Together we can achieve harmony, create normal conditions for the existence of all people seeking to make the world a better place.
The ideological basis for the new date was the Declaration and Program of Action on a Culture of Peace and the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence in the interests of the entire planet (it covered the years 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 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 particularly emphasizes the importance of a new date in strengthening friendly relations between different nations. “Friendship between nations, 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 objectives of the International Day of Friendship is to attract young people, including future leaders, to social activities aimed at respectful perception of different cultures.
Currently, in many countries of the world, events are held annually related to the promotion of friendship and tolerance towards others. Today, a list of Friendship Day programs is added to their list.