Social media users are filling the Twittersphere with a cascade of kindhearted posts today -- but we're hoping it lasts the whole year.
July 30th marks the U.N.'s International Friendship Day initiative, which seeks to celebrate the role of friendship in bolstering peace and tolerance across cultures.
The U.N. General Assembly aims to promote the understanding that friendship is a central factor affecting the international pursuit of gender equality, human rights, democracy, and many other humanitarian goals. It also highlights the importance of developing values of friendship and altruism in children through education.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon recently issued a statement to promote international solidarity on this special day.
“The International Day of Friendship is an important opportunity to confront the misunderstandings and distrust that underlie so many of the tensions and conflicts in today’s world," he wrote. "It is a reminder that human solidarity is essential to promoting lasting peace and fostering sustainable development."
Tweeters are quickly spreading the love online:
So what do you love about your friends? And how are you spreading kindness and love in honor of International Friendship Day Let us know in a tweet and add it to our slideshow, or answer in the comments below!