History & Significance Of International Friendship Day On July 30

International Friendship Day, which is recognized by the United Nations, is celebrated on July 30 every year globally. Notably, this day promotes the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures, and individuals can inspire all peace efforts and build bridges between different communities.

This year, the official theme for International Friendship Day is “Embracing Diversity, Fostering Unity.” The United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared July 30 as the International Day of Friendship in 2011.

This day was first proposed by the World Friendship Crusade, an international civil organization founded in 1958 by Dr. Ramón Artemio Bracho and his friends. In fact, the crusade celebrated Friendship Week in Paraguay and other places.

The United Nations hosts the day to promote and defend a shared spirit of human solidarity. Interestingly, the goal of the resolution is to encourage people and nations to work together, get over their differences, and also promote a culture of friendliness and empathy.

Meanwhile, the day builds on a 1997 UN resolution defining the Culture of Peace, which is a set of values, attitudes, and behaviors that reject violence, prevent conflicts, and solve problems.