Text I

International Day of Friendship Sharing the human spirit through friendship

Our world faces many challenges, crises and forces of division – such as poverty, violence, and human right abuses among many others – that destroy peace, security, development and social harmony among the world’s peoples.

To confront those crises and challenges, their base causes must be addressed¹ by promoting and defending a common spirit of human solidarity that takes many forms – the simplest of which is friendship.

Through friendship – by accumulating bonds² of camaraderie and developing strong connections of trust – we can contribute to the fundamental changes that are urgently needed to achieve durable stability, make a safety net that will protect us all, and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good.

Thus, the International Day of Friendship 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.

(Adapted from: https://www.un.or/en/observances/friendship-day/. Accessed on March 23^rd, 2023)

Glossary:

1. to address: to approach, to deal with a particular problem

2. bond: a close relationship and connection between people

Text II

Count on Me – Bruno Mars

If you ever find yourself stuck¹ in the middle of the sea,

I’ll sail the world to find you

If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can’t see,

I’ll be the light to guide you

Find out² what we’re made of

When we are called to help our friends in need

You can count on me like one, two, three

I’ll be there

And I know when I need it I can count on you like

Four, three, two

And you’ll be there

Cause that’s what friends are supposed to do

Oh yeah

(https://www.vagalume.com.br/bruno-mars/count-on-me.html#print Accessed on March 23rd, 2023)

Glossary:

1. stuck: not able to move

2. to find out: to get some information about something