The importance of friendship for the unity of mankind
A contribution to the International Day of Friendship on 30 July
International Friendship Day was initiated by the Paraguayan military doctor Ramon Artemio Bracho. He set up the ‘Cruzada Mundial para la Amistad’ foundation in 1958 with the aim of introducing the Day of Friendship, now recognised as an official holiday in Paraguay, as an international day of action at the United Nations.
At the instigation of Nane Annan, the wife of the then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Disney character ‘Winnie the Pooh’ was awarded the honorary title of global ambassador of friendship in 1997 for his ‘consistent message of companionship, loyalty and friendship’. In 2011, the UN General Assembly officially proclaimed 30 july the 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 term ‘friendship’ is very complex and a broad field for sociologists, psychologists and philosophers. It primarily characterises a concrete relationship between individuals that is based on sympathy, affection, appreciation and trust. The desire for friendship between peoples, countries and cultures expressed in the UN General Assembly resolution, on the other hand, is rather abstract. Nevertheless, it is justified, because the opposite of friendship is enmity.
The current political situation in the world shows how much more friendship is needed in the world today. You can be satisfied with less. Mutual respect, empathy and benevolent diplomacy are already very useful. However, it should be clear: It is not possible to make friends with dictators and mass murderers who threaten and want to subjugate or destroy their own population and the inhabitants of other countries. Even among such rulers and their beneficiaries and followers, genuine friendship is hardly conceivable. At best, this is cronyism among criminals.
Friendship is an essential element of the United Mankind concept. This unification of mankind, like friendship itself, is based on the will of individuals and not on the relationship of states, as is the case with the United Nations. But here, too, friendly co-operation is sufficient, without which prosperous cooperation is hardly possible. A community of altruistic friends usually finds the best solutions to problems. Friends are also the most willing to constructively criticise and correct each other. This reduces the risk of wrong decisions and mistakes.
It is therefore obvious that the United Mankind Initiative must come from circles of friends. Everywhere in the world where this is possible, circles of friends should join forces for the unification of mankind and network globally. Technically, this is not a problem today.
It just needs people who have the will, the courage and the strength. There are already many groups and organisations worldwide that have the personnel, financial and thematic resources to start the United Mankind Initiative from scratch in their area of activity.