Faculty and students perform a traditional Maori haka dance from New Zealand.

THE International School of Yangon (ISY) organised an International Day 2007 on November 17 to highlight the cultural diversity of its student body under the theme Voices of the World.

“This year we celebrate students from 31 nations working, playing and learning together at ISY. It is our strength in diversity that makes us who we are,” Mr Dennis MacKinnon, the director of the school, told the assembled audience at the event.

Students, faculty and parents celebrated the day by wearing colourful clothing from their home countries and performing cultural stage shows.

The day was aimed at allowing the school and its supporting communities to display and share cultural similarities and diversities, Mr MacKinnon said.

“We aim to develop socially engaged, self-motivated, creative, compassionate individuals who will be a force for positive change in their communities and the world,” he said, quoting from the school’s mission statement.

ISY’s student body consists of 400 students from 31 countries, including Myanmar (24 percent), South Korea (23pc), the United States (11pc), Japan (6pc), Malaysia (5pc), India (5pc), Thailand (4pc) and Australia (3pc). Students from other Asian countries make up 14pc of the student body, while those from European nations account for 4pc.

ISY was founded in 1952 and moved to its current location at 20 Shwe Taungkyar Street in Bahan township in 1988. The faculty comprises 54 fulltime teachers and 100 supporting staff.