From 16 July to 12 August, an exhibition "From heart to heart" dedicated to the International Day of Friendship runs in the Documents of International Organizations Reading Room (room 207g).
This Day is one of the most recent observances in the calendar of the UN. It was established at the 65th session of the UN General Assembly on 27 April, 2011. Since then it has been celebrated annually on 30 July (resolution 65/275).
The resolution emphasizes that the friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire the international community’s efforts to promote peace and give you the opportunity to build bridges between communities that respect cultural diversity.
Proclamation of this Day is also aimed at supporting the goals and objectives of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and the International Decade for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001–2010).
The General Assembly called upon States, international organizations and civil society groups to observe the International Day of Friendship by holding events and initiatives that contribute to the efforts of the international community towards promoting a dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.
Friendship, harmony, tolerance, mutual respect and concern for each other are the concepts that permeate the activities and ideals of the United Nations. Its Charter proclaims that one of the purposes of the Organization is “to develop friendly relations among nations”. The same words are repeated in the preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. UNESCO’s Constitution speaks of the need for peace based not just on the “political and economic arrangements of Governments”, but on the “intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind”. And the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations initiative aims to improve cooperation and understanding among nations and peoples across cultures and religions, including to counter the forces that fuel extremism.
United States President Woodrow Wilson once said, “Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.” Individual friendships bring us face to face with diversity and different points of view. They bring us joy and support, notwithstanding the tests that can encumber even the best of relationships. The same pillars that support sturdy personal friendships – trust, respect, mutually beneficial decision-making – also have an important place in the community of nations.
The International Day of Friendship particular emphasizes on involving young people, as future leaders, in community activities that include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity. The exhibition includes the following sections:
- Friendship of nations: together toward a common goal.
- Friendship is one of the leading contemporary moral laws.
- Dialogue among Civilizations – tolerance in dealing with political and social conflicts.
- Culture of peace, education for tolerance.
- Dialogue between cultures.
The offered exhibition contains about 60 documents. Generally, it is documents of international organizations (UN, UNESCO, the European Union, etc.) in Russian, English and German languages: books, periodicals, the UN mimeographed materials, brochures and booklets.
The exhibition will be interesting to a wide range of readers interested in the culture of peace, cultural diversity, issues of contemporary interfaith relations, issues of tolerance, as well as specialists in the field of world politics, diplomacy, international relations, international law and conflict resolution.
Useful links
- International Day of Friendship
- World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (21 May)
- International Day of Peace (21September)
- International Day for Tolerance (16 November)
- International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding (12 August, 2010 – 11 August, 2011)
- 2010: International Year of Rapprochement of Cultures
- 2000: International Year for the Culture of Peace [A/RES/52/15]
- 1995: United Nations Year for Tolerance [A/RES/48/126]
- 2001–2010: International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World
- "Alliance of Civilizations"
- Dialogue among civilizations and the culture of peace
- UN and the issue of freedom of religion or belief
- The right to freedom of opinion and expression
Documents
- Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations (2001)
- Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace (1999)
- Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (1981)
 |
 |
 |
 |
