Unite communities through shared civic action, dialogue and mutual understanding
Tomorrow is International Day of Friendship. The day was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. The UN resolution emphasised involving young people, as future leaders, in community activities that include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity. It is an initiative that follows on the proposal made by UNESCO defining the Culture of Peace as a set of values, attitudes and behaviours that reject violence and endeavour to prevent conflicts by addressing their root causes with a view to solving problems.
To mark the Day, the UN encourages governments, international organisations and civil society groups to hold events, activities and initiatives that contribute to the efforts of the international community towards promoting dialogue among civilisations, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation. However, there is hardly any initiative by the stakeholders.
Friendship, especially among young people, holds a special kind of power. It can cross languages, faiths and histories that might otherwise divide us. It invites us to listen before we judge, to stay when it is easier to walk away. “It teaches us that understanding isn’t a grand achievement; it’s a habit, a practice, a way of moving through a world that says ‘your well-being matters to me too,’” the UN says. The Day assumes greater significance considering what is happening across the world.
As we are set to celebrate the International Day of Friendship, in 2026 the global, national and local realities stand in stark contrast to this ideal. Globally, the concept of international friendship is buckling under the weight of protracted geopolitical conflicts, economic protectionism and ideological polarisation. The digital age, which promised a borderless global village, has not been able to do much to bring peace among countries, states and societies. On the contrary, each one uses the digital platform to push their agenda, creating further rifts among people. The war is not ending despite the signing of peace agreements, causing anxiety and loss to countries and their people.
Nationally, India is grappling with a similar deficit of social cohesion. The traditional bonds of neighbourhood and shared civic identity are increasingly tested. The collective “we” is frequently being fractured into an “us versus them” narrative, eroding the everyday trust that holds a diverse democracy together.
Historically, Goa has been the epitome of communal harmony. On the surface, everything looks fine. However, one can see that the social fabric is under immense strain. Several factors have contributed to this situation. Misleading narratives inject poison, and people in the know fear severe implications if no steps are taken to build bridges between communities. Vote-bank politics must be done away with if that is affecting our social fabric. Goa is experiencing urbanisation at a fast pace. There should be no room to hate the other community just going by what one wears and eats. Logic must prevail. Otherwise, misleading rhetoric and divisive narratives will win, leaving Goa badly battered. Communal harmony is to be lived, not only in textbooks. The rulers must also realise that utterances which result in the polarisation of people must be avoided if they have the interests of the state and its people in mind. If Goa is to achieve the goal of Viksit Goa by 2037, in addition to the other parameters, harmonious living will have to be experienced. Consequently, this will also improve the Happiness Index. Civic bodies, NGOs and other social organisations will have to be roped in to achieve the goal.
