An Enriching Experience of Intercultural Understanding at BIS

“The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.”

 From the mission statement of the International Baccalaureate

Bali Island School had a wonderful opportunity to promote the mission statement of the IB during the recent visit to our school by the Kamoro tribe from West Papua. The Grade 4 children had a chance to view their products for sale and interview them about the cycle of making artifacts to sell.

The tribesmen shared the inspirations behind their work and how they made, priced and sold their products.

The students also interviewed the sponsors who were assisting them in getting a fair price for their products to help ensure the tribe was not losing its traditional way of life.

For the grade 4 students, this was a wonderful ‘tuning in’ to their new unit: Economic activity relies on systems of production, exchange and consumption of goods and services.

The whole school community learned so much about Kamoro daily life, their myths and legends, their eco systems, their music and dance and their beliefs and customs. This was truly an enriching experience for all of us at BIS and will go a long way in creating intercultural respect and understanding which is so fundamental to global citizenship.

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“The Kamaro tribe teaching Grade 1 the art of their traditional face painting”

IMG_0123Dancing with Grade 3″

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“Grade 4 Admiring the Kamoro products”

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Grade 4 interviewing the tribesmen and the sponsors that supports them”

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“The Grade 5 Kamoro tribe!”

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“Grade 5 learning about the Kamoro eco systems, culture and daily life”