The idea of friendship permeates the work and ideals of the United Nations. The Charter proclaims that one of the purposes of the Organization is "to develop friendly relations among nations". These same words appear in the preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. UNESCO's Constitution speaks of the need for peace based not just on the "political and economic arrangements of governments", but on the "intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind". And the UN Alliance of Civilizations initiative aims to improve cooperation and understanding among nations and peoples across cultures and religions, including to counter the forces that fuel extremism.

聯合國的工作和理想無處不包含友誼這一理念。《憲章》宣告，本組織的宗旨之一是“發展國際間之友好關系”。《世界人權宣言》的序言部分也如是說。教科文組織的《組織法》談到和平不僅需要“以政府間之政治、經濟措施”為基礎，而且需要基于“人類理性與道德”。聯合國的不同文明聯盟倡議力求跨越文化和宗教，改善各國和各族人民之間的合作與諒解，包括克服助長極端主義的勢力。

Friendship; harmony; tolerance; mutual respect and mutual concern: these concepts are part of the Organization's very fibre. They inform our activities, from peacekeeping and defending human rights to our collective efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. And they are now the focus of the International Day of Friendship, a new observance established by the General Assembly in a resolution that highlights the potential of friendship to "build bridges" and "inspire peace efforts".

友誼、和諧、容忍、相互尊重和相互關心：這些理念都是本組織的實質所在。它們指導從維持和平與保護人權到同心協力實現千年發展目標的各項活動。如今，它們也是大會新設立的國際友誼日的重點，其有關決議強調友誼對“架設橋梁”和“激發和平努力”的潛在作用。

Individual friendships bring us face to face with diversity and different points of view. They bring us joy and support, notwithstanding the tests that can encumber even the best of relationships. The same pillars that support sturdy personal friendships – trust, respect, mutually beneficial decision-making – also have an important place in the community of nations.

個人之間的友誼使我們能接觸多樣化并面對面地交流不同觀點。盡管我們的友情經常面臨各種考驗，有的考驗甚至能拖累最為密切的友誼，但是友情能帶給我們帶來歡樂和支持，在國際社會中，支撐個人之間牢固關系的棟梁——信任、尊重、互惠決策——也同樣占據重要地位。

United States President Woodrow Wilson once said, "Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together." On this first International Day of Friendship, let us pledge to work together to strengthen that cement and build a peaceful, more prosperous world so old friendships can flourish and new ones can be made.

美國總統伍德羅·威爾遜曾經說過，“友誼是連接整個世界的唯一紐帶”。值此國際友誼日，讓我們許諾共同努力來加強這一紐帶，以建設一個和平而且更加繁榮的世界。這個世界會讓舊的友誼蓬勃發展，新的友誼不斷建立。

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（來源：普特英語 編輯：崔旭燕）