A Cross-Cultural Celebration of Peace at Bangkok Patana
A Sea of Blue and a Message of Peace
Bangkok Patana School was awash in blue as Primary and Secondary students marked the International Day of Peace, a tradition established by the United Nations in 1981 to encourage global harmony. This year’s theme, Act Now for a Peaceful World, resonated deeply across the campus, inspiring students to explore peace through language, culture, and creativity.
In Primary World Languages classes, students learning French, Spanish and Mandarin engaged in vibrant, hands-on activities that brought the concept of peace to life. French learners decorated La Colombe de la Paix, practicing colour vocabulary while illustrating poems that embraced diversity and the beauty of global interdependence. Mandarin students crafted peace doves and bookmarks adorned with Chinese characters, while discussing how peace can be cultivated in everyday life. Spanish classes delved into the lives of global peace icons—Mandela, Malala, Gandhi—and explored Picasso’s iconic Paloma de la Paz. Music added a universal touch, as students sang a peace-themed song in Spanish, connecting emotionally with the message of hope.
Across languages, students engaged in discussions and creative expression, discovering that peace is not just an abstract ideal but a daily practice. It was a powerful reminder of the school’s commitment to nurturing global citizens who understand that unity, compassion and action begin in the classroom.
“It is not enough to teach children to read and write. They must learn to live together with respect for others and for the world around them.”
– Koïchiro Matsuura, Former UNESCO Director-General
