Coffee Hour: International Day of Friendship

August 10, 2022

HSH’s July Coffee Hour, held by the E&I committee, was to celebrate International Day of Friendship. Proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly, this day leans on the idea that friendship can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. While initially promoted by the greeting card industry, social media has assisted in popularizing the holiday.

As part of the coffee hour, the group reflected on the importance of friendship within our lives and had some lighthearted discussion about our favorite memories with friends. Towards the end, staff were given time to craft a letter to a friend and were encouraged to catch up, show gratitude, or reconnect with someone in their lives.

“On this International Day of Friendship, let us remember the ties that bind us together, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or borders. Let us cultivate solidarity as a single human family on our one and only planet. Let us pursue true and lasting friendship” – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (2014)

Learn more at: https://www.un.org/en/observances/friendship-day