UNIV forum2015

UNIV is an international gathering of students from universities all over the world which started in 1968 and has been sponsored since then by the Institute of University Cooperation (ICU). It offers an opportunity for students to spend Holy Week in Rome and more so interact with each other and experience diversity.The ICU provides students with various cultural encounters, conferences, roundtables, showrooms and concerts. These activities present opportunities for dealing with important matters relevant to the university, putting emphasis to the spirit of service towards those in need. More information about UNIV can be available at www.univforum.org .

To be able to participate in the activities described above, one is required to either do an academic paper, a video or according to the theme of the UNIV of the year . The theme of this year is entitled ‘Friendship: model for a New Citizenship’ therefore decided to participate by writing an academic paper on social media in friendship. The paper focuses on the effect of the usage of social media in friendship, how it affects it positively and negatively hence affecting citizenship positively and negatively. It explains what friendship is and how it is related to citizenship, the purpose of social media in friendship as a tool of communication and how to maintain a balance online and offline in friendship. It also focuses on how selfishness  ruins friendship of which it is easily depicted online hence affecting friendship offline.

The reason for writing this paper is because the human person is a social being despite his achievements in the scientific world. For him, it is necessary to have a friend, one who has that which is lovable which is virtue. Someone who can see the world as he does and seeks good for the other and this is a key factor in citizenship. A citizen of any nation has a duty to develop the nation in his own capacity hence seeking good for his nation by helping his fellow citizens. Even in the scientific world, an individual needs someone who shares the same opinion and virtues with him for scientific development.