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.

联合国的工作和理想无处不包含友谊这一理念。《宪章》宣告，本组织的宗旨之一是“发展国际间之友好关系”。《世界人权宣言》的序言部分也如是说。教科文组织的《组织法》谈到和平不仅需要“以政府间之政治、经济措施”为基础，而且需要基于“人类理性与道德”。联合国的不同文明联盟倡议力求跨越文化和宗教，改善各国和各族人民之间的合作与谅解，包括克服助长极端主义的势力。

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".

友谊、和谐、容忍、相互尊重和相互关心：这些理念都是本组织的实质所在。它们指导从维持和平与保护人权到同心协力实现千年发展目标的各项活动。如今，它们也是大会新设立的国际友谊日的重点，其有关决议强调友谊对“架设桥梁”和“激发和平努力”的潜在作用。

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.

个人之间的友谊使我们能接触多样化并面对面地交流不同观点。尽管我们的友情经常面临各种考验，有的考验甚至能拖累最为密切的友谊，但是友情能带给我们带来欢乐和支持，在国际社会中，支撑个人之间牢固关系的栋梁——信任、尊重、互惠决策——也同样占据重要地位。

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.

美国总统伍德罗·威尔逊曾经说过，“友谊是连接整个世界的唯一纽带”。值此国际友谊日，让我们许诺共同努力来加强这一纽带，以建设一个和平而且更加繁荣的世界。这个世界会让旧的友谊蓬勃发展，新的友谊不断建立。

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（来源：普特英语 编辑：崔旭燕）