Celebrating unity in diversity: Nurturing young global citizens at the Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School, Dar es Salaam
Recently, the Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School (AKMSS), Dar es Salaam celebrated United Nations (UN) Day. The school’s Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) Coordinator, Nikita Gidwani reflects on the importance of the day’s events as well as the true testament of the school’s celebration of diversity, change and commitment to a better world.
“As an educator, it fills me with immense pride to witness the growth and development of our students. Serving as the Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School, Dar es Salaam teacher coordinator for our school's UN Day celebration, I have had the privilege of experiencing the behind-the-scenes moments, the occasional exhaustion and the frantic dashes from one campus to another. These experiences have given me a deeper appreciation for the importance of embracing differences and respecting everyone's unique identity.
Our UN Day celebration is a testament to the incredible diversity within our school community. It’s a day when we come together to celebrate not only our differences but also the unity that arises from our collective efforts. It is a reminder that by nurturing the next generation of global citizens, we are shaping a world where acceptance, cooperation and understanding reign supreme.
In the midst of colourful performances, heartfelt pledges and multilingual presentations on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we are sowing the seeds of awareness and global citizenship in our students. These young minds may not fully grasp the intricacies of what the United Nations does today, but they are already making a significant contribution by being conscious of the world's challenges and the role they can play in addressing them.
So, as I look back on the frenzied days and the tireless efforts put into our celebrations, I'm filled with a profound sense of satisfaction. The seeds of change we planted will undoubtedly bear fruit in the years to come. It's a privilege to be a part of this journey, and I eagerly anticipate the day when these students, now growing into responsible global citizens, will carry the torch of progress into the world, making it a more united, diverse and harmonious place for us all.”
Photos (top to bottom):
- Delegates and seniors standing for the national anthem.
- Students singing the national anthem.
- Student president giving a speech.
- UNESCO representative giving a speech.
