July 30th holds a special significance each year as we celebrate International Friendship Day. This celebration is designed to appreciate and strengthen friendships around the world. The International Friendship Day was first proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011. Essentially, this day recognizes that friendship can solve many global problems, from conflicts to social injustices. The UN declared that through friendships among individuals, groups, nations, and cultures, we can find inspiration in the pursuit of world peace in 2011.
International Friendship Day offers us the chance to reflect on the relationships we have and ensure they support our lives mutually. This moment can be the perfect time to appreciate our friends and perhaps even expand our social circles by meeting new friends. Especially in this modern era, technology plays a significant role in connecting us with people worldwide. However, we must also understand the importance of maintaining the quality of these relationships and ensuring that our digital interactions with friends have a positive impact.
Friendship not only provides emotional support but also creates harmony and peace. One way to celebrate International Friendship Day is by sharing friendship stories. We can use various social media platforms to share stories about friends who add meaningful value to our lives. This can be a great way to remember and appreciate every relationship we have.
Elaine and Cecilia, Communication Studies students from the 2021 cohort, shared their perspectives on the meaning of friendship. For Elaine, a friend is the most trustworthy person who will always be there when you need help. “A person to share our joys and sadness, and the person you can trust with your secrets,” said Elaine. Meanwhile, for Cecil, friendship is a relationship of mutual acceptance, appreciation, trust, and support. Friends are those who are always there in both tough and joyful times with genuine feelings. For both of them, friendship holds deep meaning and is an essential part of their lives.
Dear Yellow Fellow, we also invite you to share your friendship stories through our Instagram account @Ilkomunpad. Through the Direct Message feature, you are free to express various forms of friendship stories that you have. By celebrating this day, we not only appreciate our friends but also commit to creating mutually supportive and loving friendships. (Ed)