Focolare Movement

International Day of Friendship

Jul 29, 2018

More than 50 countries have signed up to the International Day of Friendship, which the United Nations established in 2011 and is celebrated each year on July 30. (Some countries, such as India, Nepal and Bangladesh, celebrate it in the days just following.) The aim of the day is to encourage governments, associations and groups […]

More than 50 countries have signed up to the International Day of Friendship, which the United Nations established in 2011 and is celebrated each year on July 30. (Some countries, such as India, Nepal and Bangladesh, celebrate it in the days just following.) The aim of the day is to encourage governments, associations and groups to promote every kind of friendship, solidarity, trust, mutual understanding and forgiveness. This is in line with local cultures and customs, with the conviction that these feelings can effectively contribute to peace between peoples and nations. The UN especially encourages young people, as future leaders, to undertake community activities that include different cultures, to promote international understanding and respect for diversity. Judging by the thousands of young people who enthusiastically took to the message of friendship and unity “Beyond all borders,” at the recent Genfest in Manila and many other countries, the encouragement has not fallen on deaf ears.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Newsletter

Thought of the day

Related post

Living the Gospel: Love as the Fulfilment of Life

Living the Gospel: Love as the Fulfilment of Life

Love is a gift from God that we are called to share with others, becoming people who knowing they are loved are capable of loving. Loving our neighbour means choosing their good in concrete ways, as Jesus teaches us through his life and as St Paul writes: “Love does no harm to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilment of the law” (Romans 13:10).

Can a single bakery transform a city?

Can a single bakery transform a city?

Testimony by Sun Lim (Sole), South Korea, at the event: “A Path to Regeneration: 35 Years of the Economy of Communion”, held in Buenos Aires in May 2026.