Friendship is a meeting of equals in sharing joys, triumphs, difficulties and failures. Friendship is a haven of kindness where the individual never feels abandoned, unworthy or deprived, but is nurtured by a sense of belonging.

Friends offer each other two of the most precious gifts they have: their time and their attention. This is the alpha and the omega of a clear channel of communication where views, positions and differences can be agreed or disagreed on but certainly always shared.

A friendship is hands joining together to create and share a task. Friendship creates trust, which is the foundation of success for any co-operative effort. When we trust each other, the barriers of fear, intolerance and discrimination dissolve.

Mistrust destroys closeness and faith in one another. Interactions between people and nations are often based on mistrust, with the result that we are generally disposed to believe the worst rather than the best.

Trust is created by the consciousness of the inherent worth of each individual while simultaneously appreciating the diversity that arises from each individual's uniqueness. The ways in which each individual is different add to, not subtract from, the dignity and value of the human race.

Often we speak of having an open mind but now, in the crises of the 20th Century, we also need to have an open heart. An open heart puts all blame and complaint aside, forgives the past and is enthusiastic and courageous enough to build on the opportunities offered by the present. Open-heartedness removes any inclination towards misunderstanding because it is willing to believe in the goodwill of the other, to give another chance, to give the benefit of the doubt. A true friend will always keep an open heart.