As spring spreads across campus in April, the annual Global Citizen Day arrived. Centered on three core CME (Character & Moral Education) themes—Self-awareness, Social-awareness, and Global-awareness—this year’s series of activities integrated classroom learning with a charity fair, enabling students to develop self-understanding, a sense of social responsibility, and a global perspective through authentic, real-world experiences.

1. Reflection Within, Action Beyond

Prior to the charity fair, students had already engaged in structured CME lessons. Grade 6 explored Self-awareness, Grade 7 focused on Social-awareness, and Grade 8 examined Global-awareness. These themes guided students to reflect on the relationship between the individual and the wider world.

On the morning of Global Citizen Day, students began by completing a CME reflection ticket during homeroom, consolidating their thinking around the key themes. During the fair, they visited teacher-run interactive booths to participate in voting and prize draws.

Outstanding student works from the themed photography competition “One World, Many Stories” were also displayed on-site. Featuring images from diverse cultural backgrounds, the exhibition attracted many students, who paused to explore the richness and diversity of the world through visual storytelling.

In the booth area, Grade 7 and Grade 8 Service Learning groups were paired for joint presentations; helping to integrate Grade 7 students into the world of Service Learning Each class introduced their projects through posters or live interaction. Some groups also hosted their own interactive booths. For instance, the Unistar group presented creative products featuring artwork by beneficiary students; SciAcademy designed a hands-on ocean-cleaning simulation game; and the Primo group showcased math-themed canvas bags and other original designs.

Funds raised from the charity fair will support future community initiatives. Through their participation, middle school students gained exposure to real-world social issues and developed a more concrete understanding of social responsibility.

2. Experiencing Diverse Cultures, Embracing a Broader World

The event featured four main zones: World Kitchen, Global Market, Cultural Expo, and World Stage.

At the World Kitchen, each class prepared a variety of food and beverages inspired by different cultures. Some items were carefully made in advance, while others were freshly prepared on-site. Cultural elements were woven into the experience through display cards or student explanations, turning food into a meaningful medium for cultural exchange.

The Global Market showcased handmade crafts and creative products. Some booths featured colorful, hand-drawn designs and vibrant posters, while others emphasized minimalistic displays highlighting the craftsmanship of the items. Many booths attracted visitors through live demonstrations and interactive engagement, and some experimented with bundle sales and promotional pricing. The Grade 6 History group also participated, presenting creative products inspired by Chinese dynasties. By integrating elements of traditional Chinese art and philosophy into their designs, student vendors brought history to life and sparked strong interest among visitors. Meanwhile, Grade 8 students presented geography research projects on regional cultures and societies, sharing their findings through displays and presentations.

The Cultural Expo focused on immersive cultural experiences. Each booth offered interactive activities related to different regions. Traditional Chinese culture was represented through lacquer fan-making and a quiz on traditional Chinese medicine. A spice identification activity allowed participants to explore South African cuisine through scent, while a football-themed challenge combined athletic skills with cultural knowledge through shooting games and quizzes.

Meanwhile, live performances by MFP students added energy to the charity fair. Students performed engaging songs, and the open mic and random dance sessions encouraged spontaneous participation, drawing enthusiastic crowds.

Many parents also attended the event, some engaging with booths and others assisting with organization and guidance. Their presence not only supported the smooth running of the event but also allowed them to witness students’ growth firsthand.

At 3:00 PM, the World Stage Charity Performance officially began in the Hsi auditorium, attracting a large audience of students and teachers. The program featured a diverse range of performances, including short plays, musical excerpts, instrumental pieces, and rap performances. The atmosphere grew increasingly lively as each act took the stage. The event concluded with a teacher performance of “HAKA,” whose powerful rhythm and dynamic presentation brought the event to an exciting climax.

Until Next Year

Through a rich variety of activities, this year’s Global Citizen Day provided students with comprehensive opportunities for growth and development. CME lessons laid a strong foundation for reflection on the relationship between the self and the world, fostering a deeper sense of social responsibility. The charity fair strengthened students’ organizational and collaboration skills, while the photography competition and stage performances offered platforms for self-expression and cultural appreciation.

These experiences, bridging classroom learning and real-world practice, have quietly deepened students’ understanding of both themselves and the world. Looking ahead, we hope students will continue to explore, engage, and reflect in their future learning journeys, further expanding their awareness of society and the global community.

(Written by Peiyao Tang, Xinyu Ma

Pictures by Ginger Xu, Photography Group

Reviewed by Mr. Shen Tianyuan, Lei Guo, Dustin Sharp, Shiyu Wu, Hannah Kloeber)