The annual United Nations Day (UN Day) celebration takes place at the Overseas School of Colombo (OSC) every year.  UN Day and Model United Nations (MUN) has been the brain child of OSC for over 30 years. The idea of this event is to promote internationalism amongst the OSC community. On this day the students of OSC attended school in their country’s national attire and perform a UN related activity representing their countries. The day starts with a flag parade and continues until each student or a group of students perform an act from their native country. 

This year the Chief Guest was Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka who spoke on Empowerment of the youth. Dr. Jayatilleka and wife Sanja were greeted by the head of school Mr. Philip Joslin. One of the most important things, explained with regard to the empowerment of the youth was “ Change the empowerment of youth in a constructive way, this has to start from the workplace, in the home, in the church, in the temple, in the university, in parliament, wherever we are -  just start talking to each other. How many young people, in Sri Lanka or in other countries, talk to each other across religious, provincial, linguistic, gender and class barriers? Break down those barriers, have a conversation. Talk to each other; ask each other what it was like. If you’re in Sri Lanka ask each other what it was like, to be at the end of a suicide bombers blast or an air raid. Just talk to each other. Reach out.” said Dr. Jayatilleka. Followed by an international food festival with over 30 varieties of cuisine from all over the world that is organized by the parents of the students.

OSC is regarded the most prestigious international school in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Founded in 1957, OSC remains Sri Lanka's oldest internationally accredited educational institution. It is the only school in Sri Lanka to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme from Pre-school to Grade 12.  At OSC parents and teachers partner in working together to create the kind of environment where children not only learn, but thrive.