35th United Nations Day at UNIS Hanoi

This colourful and community-spirited day was filled with SDG-related activities, a student-led assembly celebrating the 63 nationalities of the school community, and concluded with an international community lunch.

United Nations Day at UNIS Hanoi is one of the most important annual events of the year, celebrating the school’s connection to the United Nations and its diverse community.

The school was honoured to receive nearly 3,000 guest participants, including representative from the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office Shin Umezu, vice chairman of the National Assembly Office Pham Thai Ha, Do Hung Viet, head of International Organisations Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nguyen Thi Thanh Minh, vice head of International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Education and Training, along with other distinguished guests from the Vietnamese government and the international community.

The event saw the participation of many distinguished guests from the Vietnamese government and the international community

UNIS' United Nations Day was even more special this year as UNIS Hanoi celebrates its 35^th birthday alongside Vietnam during its 45 years as an official member of the United Nations.

UNIS Hanoi’s Head of School Jane McGee shared in her remarks, “The early partnership between the United Nations and the Vietnamese government was both visionary and inspirational in its pursuit of the establishment of UNIS Hanoi – a school that would provide an international education grounded in the values of the United Nations. This partnership has only continued to strengthen over the years and we would not be where we are today without their strong support.”

Eighth-grader Allison Park giving a speech on the importance of sustainability-oriented actions

This event also marked a new tradition for the school with an assembly led exclusively by UNIS Hanoi’s students who were presented with a unique opportunity to voice their hopes, dreams, and what they believe to be important for their future in front of the international audience.

Every community member joined United Nations Day in their traditional dress

Every community member joined United Nations Day in their traditional dress. 195 flags of all the UN member states were raised and waved proudly by UNIS Hanoi students. Afterwards, the whole community was invited to share an international United Nations Day community lunch with specialities from countries around the world prepared by the students' parents.

Students bearing the Vietnamese flag as part of the parade

Alongside the main ceremony, United Nations Day is the accumulation of an eventful week at UNIS Hanoi during which students from 3-18 years old engaged in many SDG-related activities.

It is also part of UNovember where the school’s teaching, learning, philanthropy, and fundraising efforts are particularly focused on the UN's ethos and goals during the month of November.