ITS EDUCATION ASIA ARTICLE

International Day of Friendship

By Danny Harrington, MD ITS Education Asia

Since 2011, the UN has had an Observance on 30^th July each year to remind us of the truth that friendship between people (and peoples) can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. Often conflict is born from ferar and uncertainty. The more we interact with and know others, the less likely conflict is to occur and the more likely we are to share and to build an equitable approach to planetary life.

The Golden Rule is much much easier to apply when we consider people friends, and many have said that the Golden Rule is in some ways the only rule humans need to achieve their aims.

As the UN states:

“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.”