Building Our Future Together: MGCNLCA Celebrates UN 80th Anniversary
In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations (UN), MGC New Life Christian Academy held its UN Week celebration from October 20 to 24, 2025, with the theme “Building Our Future Together.” The event aimed to inspire students to develop character, empathy, and a spirit of collaboration.
As keynote speaker, Cecilio Adorna, Senior Consultant at the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), shared his experiences with the Grades 9 to 12 students, reflecting the UN’s mission to promote peace and development. Drawing on his years of experience in humanitarian work, he highlighted the resilience of Colombian children living in conflict zones and their participation in the 2016 Colombian Peace Agreement Referendum, demonstrating the change the youth can make in society.
“It was interesting to see the way Mr. Adorna viewed and encountered peacemaking. Often, we see peacemakers as individuals who uphold justice, but his story showed that morality can sometimes be blurred in pursuit of the greater good,” Zion student Bianca Iyesha Sy commented. “This perspective reinforced my understanding of heroism, not as something black and white, but as a matter of choosing priorities for a better future.”
Aside from the talk, the celebration also featured engaging activities for other grade levels. Early Years students celebrated cultural diversity in a Parade of Nations, while Lower Primary students explored global themes through interactive projects. Grade 1 students created dioramas showcasing different ecosystems, Grade 2 students presented booths in a Community Systems Fair, and Grade 3 students simulated international trade in the UN Trade Fair.
Meanwhile, Upper Primary Years students hosted a Cultural Expo, explored ecosystems through a Gallery Walk, and watched “WALL-E,” which aims to highlight the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Grades 7 and 8 students deepened their understanding of the UN’s history, purpose, and global impact by watching video presentations entitled “United Nations Explained” and “UN at 80: What Has It Achieved?”
Reflecting on the week’s events, High School Araling Panlipunan Subject Leader Kenno Jan Caballero shared, “The United Nations Week reminds us of the importance of learning to live together in mutual respect and humility. Beyond celebrating peacebuilding, we hope students learned to value others above themselves, just as Christ did, and to stand up for what is true.”
