International Day of Friendship
By Sharon Schweitzer
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 resolution places emphasis on involving young people, as future leaders, in community activities that include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity.
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.
The International Day of Friendship is an initiative that follows on the proposal made by UNESCO defining the Culture of Peace as a set of values, attitudes and behaviors that reject violence and endeavor to prevent conflicts by addressing their root causes with a view to solving problems. It was then adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1997.
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.
An interesting fact is that in 1998, the UN Secretary’s wife, Nane Annan, named Winnie the Pooh as the Ambassador of Friendship at the UN. Even studies show that the quality of friendships during adolescence could predict mental health in adulthood.
According to Aristotle, there are 3 Classifications of Friendship:
- Utility friendship – co-worker, a business partner in which the purpose of the friendship is a mutual objective.
- Pleasure friendship – a person whom others enjoy being with because they have a quick wit or an uplifting attitude. A person with whom the purpose of the friendship is to explore a mutual pleasure such as fishing, bowling, or other hobbies.
- Good friend – mutual respect, and admiration for each other’s qualities, though there may be differences.
Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle
There are a variety of traditions and activities that people around the world participate in to celebrate International Friends Day. Although July 30th is the United Nations’ designated date, this differs for some countries around the globe. For example, Venezuela, Estonia and the Dominican Republic are just a few countries that choose to celebrate it on the same day as Valentine’s Day. Whereas in India a national version is celebrated on the first Sunday in August.
Photo by www.thereisadayforthat.com
Sharon Schweitzer JD, is a diversity and inclusion consultant, cross-cultural trainer, etiquette expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE Centre, she is an attorney and mediator. Sharon served as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, won a coveted Kirkus Star, and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. She’s a winner of numerous awards, including the British Airways International Trade Award at the Greater Austin Business Awards.
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