On International Day of Friendship, we’re invited to reflect that real peace is forged not only by writing into treaties, but it’s instead, built little by little, step by step thread by thread, via the relationship that we cultivate in our everyday life with others around us, in the trust we give to one another.
The establishment of this day by the United Nations is inspired by a proposal from Paraguay to promote friendship as a tool for fostering dialogue, solidarity, and reconciliation between people and nations. The idea sounds simple yet transformative, centering itself around relationships rooted in trust, love, and respect, inviting us to cultivate friendship where we lay the groundwork for stronger communities and a more peaceful world.
In a time when divisions, wars, and conflicts grow louder and continue to be fueled by inequality and fear, the seemingly “mundanity” and simplicity of friendship is the true radical, rebellious act. It doesn’t arrive with grand speeches or signatures, nor with horns and trumpets; instead, it arrives slowly and quietly but still visible, through every conversation we shared, every shared moment, and our sincerity to see one another as fellow life travelers.
Through the act of friendship, we begin to take action, to shape a better world as it could be.
WHY IS FRIENDSHIP SO IMPORTANT?
Friendship holds a special kind of power that crosses languages, faiths, and histories.
It invites us to listen before we judge, to stay when it’s easier to walk away, becoming a blueprint for bonding and reconciliation. It helps us to deconstruct stereotypes and encourage cooperation instead of conflict, teach us that understanding isn’t the achievement, instead it’s a habit that we must practice every day. It heals, strengthens, and empowers change, lies at the heart of the collective action of social movements and global causes.
A CALL TO ACTION
We can start by reaching out to someone you care about, let them know what their presence in your life means. Host gathering, initiate genuine conversations with people from different backgrounds, and uplift someone else’s life. Support initiatives that foster connection and unity, combat loneliness, and promote inclusion, bringing people together and uplifting marginalized voices.
By making a Goodwill Vow, you plant seeds of unlimited friendship and build bridges in divided times.