Friendship: the foundation of world peace
30 July was proclaimed as International Friendship Day by the United Nations in 2011
IN 2011, the United Nations (UN) proclaimed 30 July as International Day of Friendship with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, and cultures can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
The UN wanted for the day to involve young people, as future leaders, in community activities that include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity.
However, it is believed that world friendship day was originally promoted by the founder of Hallmark cards, Joyce Hall in 1930 where people celebrated their friendship by sending cards.
After the initiation of the idea, in 1998 wife of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Nane Annan named Winnie the Pooh as the world’s ambassador of friendship at the United Nations.
Lebanese-American artist, poet, and writer Khalil Gibran once said ‘In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed’.
So, let your friend know how special they are to you on this day set aside just for them.
