Promoting International Understanding

Four students from St. George's School, Hulkar, Charlotte, Nidhi and Kaoruko, represented their school at a recent BPW (Business & Professional Women’s Club) International Ceremony of Candles Meeting held in Lausanne, Switzerland. The Candles’ Meeting is held annually and aims to encourage links worldwide between the different BPW clubs and to promote international understanding.

The students explained to the business and professional women how different aspects of life and study at St. George's School in Switzerland helped them to develop an understanding of different cultures. Three of the four presentations were given in French while the remaining one, given by Kaoruko, was in English.  All presentations were very well received. 

The group felt that activities such as debating and the publication of a student-written school magazine helped develop ideas and understanding of different points of view.  In addition, involvement in social services’ activities brings an awareness of international responsibility.  Furthermore, the prefect system teaches people responsibility and helps to develop skills in dealing with other cultures’ ways of acting and thinking. The businesswomen were very impressed by the sincerity of the students. 

Afterwards, the students were invited to share the evening meal and the students had the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas in French or English with women who are active in many professional areas such as business, marketing, politics, biology, architecture, dentistry, psychology and administration.