The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Friendship or World Friendship Day is annually observed across the globe on July 30 to honour the friendship.
- The day honours the enduring bonds of friendship with various activities, despite the different dates observed around the world.
- 2024 marks the 13th anniversary of International Friendship Day.
Background:
i.In 2011, During the 65th UN session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/65/L.72 and proclaimed 30th July of every year as the International Day of Friendship.
ii.The first-ever International Friendship Day was observed in 2011.
iii.International Friendship Day was proposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defining the Culture of Peace as a set of values, attitudes and behaviours that reject violence and endeavour to prevent conflicts by addressing their root causes with a view to solving problems.
- The resolution ‘Culture of Peace’ was adopted in 1997.
Friendship day in India:
i.In India, Friendship Day is celebrated on First Sunday in the month of August.
ii.In 2024, Friendship Day in India will be celebrated on 4th August 2024.
Note: Countries such as Mexico and Ecuador observe the day on February 14, whereas in Singapore, it is celebrated in the third week of April.
History:
i.The International Friendship Day was started by Joyce Hall, founder of Hallmark Cards in Paraguay in 1930.
ii.Dr Ramon Artemio Bracho in 1958 came up with the term ‘Friendship Day’ and started a foundation called World Friendship Crusade, an international civil organisation which campaigns to encourage peaceful culture through friendship.
iii.World’s Ambassador Friendship – In 1988, the UN appointed Winnie the Pooh as the Ambassador of Friendship.
Significance:
i.The day aims to establish strong ties of trust with each other to ensure that together eradicate all those factors that threaten a peaceful future.
ii.The idea behind the day the creation of a day is to show their gratitude to their friends, which resonated extensively.
About the United Nations (UN):
Secretary-General (SG) – António Guterres
Headquarters – New York City, United States of America (USA)
Established – 24th October 1945
