Back in 1945, the United Nations charter was scripted to create the United Nations – with the aim to encourage cooperation and peace among all the governments of the world after the failure of The League of Nations. The celebration of diversity lies at the core of this union’s significance.
There are no restrictions on what all can be done to commemorate this day and the organization’s tireless humanitarian efforts. As an example, it is noteworthy that the UN feeds over 90 million children worldwide.
To honor this noble organization and to spread awareness about its important message of diversity, global cooperation, peace, equality, respect for international law and justice and human rights, schools and educational institutions imbibe the significance of this day among their students from a young age.
We at GIS participate in the commemoration of this day each year with our students, staff and parents by organizing a range of fun offerings symbolic of the many different nationalities being represented. Teachers began the preparations for this grand day earlier in the week by encouraging children to present slides in class and talk about where they come from, their culture, their favourite festivals and foods from the countries they belong to.
This year, the PTF organized a number of stalls in the main foyer offering food and other delicacies from many different cultures and countries. There were a whopping 18 booths set up representing sizeable offerings from the more than 60 nationalities that GIS is home to. The attendance this year was tremendous as the foyer quickly filled up with parents, staff and children flocking to try the culturally diverse wares on offer.
The culinary offerings ranged from Malaysian Kueh Mueh, Roti Canai, Nasi Lemak, Pie Tie to Chee Cheong Fun. Waffles and Crepe stations took up the France and Holland offerings, scones and Welsh biscuits were on display from the UK and Lamingtons from Australia, Potato Parathas, Halwa (Indian sweet), Potatoes, Dhokla and more from the Indian stalls, Pretzels from Germany and a whole lot of other delectable culinary delights from the kitchens on Korea, Japan and China.
Then came the parade out on the main field. A delightful sea of technicolor fabrics and diverse outfits was on full display in the glow of the bright morning sun as all the students were shepherded by their Year teachers into queues and paraded with their country flags – all created by the kids themselves – down to the field to take their place in synchronized assembly next to their peers.
“We just love dress up days at GIS and coming to watch these little ones do their bit. UN day is always a special treat just because of the sheer level of cuteness and diversity these kids bring on to the field.” This from a gushing German mother of three (dressed in her gorgeous German Dirndl) – all three kids in GIS Primary school – the youngest in the Early Years Center.
Shaira Mohan, an Indian Year 1 parent, dressed in a long green ‘kurta’ the traditional Indian attire spoke to us as she eagerly awaited her son’s class to make their way onto the field, “This is our third year with the school and when we were in the middle of our search for the best international schools in Kuala Lumpur, there were many GIS parents at the time who spoke to us and pushed us to pick this one. Besides its holistic education and top notch facilities, we were glad to learn about the hands-on way in which such diversity and inclusion is woven into the celebration of all cultures and nationalities. It is what sets it apart and makes it one of the best international schools in Malaysia.”
For these children, the world is, indeed, their oyster. As they embark on their truly global pathways to education and eventual careers, we at GIS recognize the need to sow the seeds of diversity, harmony and cultural solidarity from a young age and steer them towards donning truly diverse, empathetic and just lens for the future.
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