International Friendship Day – 30th July
Every year on 30th July International Friendship Day is celebrated.
Friendship Day was first proposed in Paraguay in 1958 and the World Friendship Crusade was set up. The Crusade is a foundation that promotes friendship and fellowship among all human beings, regardless of race, colour or religion. In 1998 to honour Friendship Day, Winne the Pooh was named as the world’s Ambassador of Friendship at the United Nations. However, it took until 2011 for the UN General Assembly to proclaim an International Day of Friendship, with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
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 organisations and civil society groups to hold events, activities and initiatives that contribute to the efforts of the international community towards promoting a dialogue among civilisations, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.
In the Nurseries we will be marking International Friendship Day by discussing with the children what makes a great friend. Key attributes of being a great friend include:
is there for you, no matter what
doesn’t judge you
doesn’t put you down or deliberately hurt your feelings
is kind and respectful to you
is someone whose company you enjoy
is loyal
is trustworthy and willing to tell you the truth, even when it’s hard for you to hear
laughs with you
