International Day of Friendship

It is the International Day of Friendship!

"The International Day of Friendship is an initiative that follows on the proposal made by UNESCO and taken up by the UN General Assembly in 1997, which defined the Culture of Peace as it 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.

In its resolution of 1998, proclaiming the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, the General Assembly recognized that enormous harm and suffering are caused to children through different forms of violence. It emphasized that the promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence should be instilled in children through education. If children learn to live together in peace and harmony that will contribute to the strengthening of international peace and cooperation.

A view of indigenous children from the Embera people, displaced by armed conflict. There are over two million internally displaced persons in Colombia and while forced displacement is always a very difficult experience, it is doubly catastrophic for indigenous communities. Indigenous culture is closely linked to the land and displacement often leads to the total collapse of traditional authority and cultural patterns.

The Declaration and Program of Action on a Culture of Peach, adopted in 1999 set 8 areas of action for nations, organizations and individuals to undertake in order for a culture of peace to prevail:

• Foster a culture of peace through education;
• Promote sustainable economic and social development;
• Promote respect for all human rights;
• Ensure equality between women and men;
• Foster democratic participation;
• Advance understanding, tolerance and solidarity;
• Support participatory communication and the free flow of information and knowledge;
• Promote international peace and security.

Children at Delmas 33 camp for displaced Haitians to play inside a clean, safe area designated by independent organization Save the Children. Save the Children provides crayons, blocks and organizes games, to alleviate some of the trauma experienced by the children when they witnessed a powerful earthquake on 12 January.

The International Day of Friendship is also based on the recognition of the relevance and importance of friendship as a noble and valuable sentiment in the lives of human beings around the world."

Click here for more information.