“On this United Nations Day, let us commit with hope and determination to build the better world of our aspirations.”
– Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, October 24, 2023
The ICS Beloved Community knows a lot about aspirations. We are spending the 2023-24 school year dreaming and discovering what is possible at ICS. We are a diverse group of global citizens, each with our own unique cultures and backgrounds. Our dreams go beyond education!
We dream of things like peace, freedom, fairness, justice, respect, acceptance, and unity. We want these things for everyone.
We celebrated UN Day together last month. We acknowledged the important work of the United Nations. We also stood in agreement that we want to see those dreams become a global reality.
If you were there, it was an incredible sight! ICS students – representing over 30 countries – gathered on stage to perform. They sang songs and recited the UN Children’s Bill of Rights:
- Children have the right to be protected from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
- Children have the right to education, including access to quality schools and resources that facilitate their learning and development.
- Children should have access to healthcare services, proper nutrition, and a safe and healthy environment to grow and develop.
- Children have the right to engage in play, leisure, and cultural activities essential for their development.
- Children have the right to maintain family relationships and be protected if they are separated from their families, unless separation is deemed necessary for the child’s best interest.
- Children have the right to express their views and opinions on matters that affect them and to be heard in decisions that affect their lives.
- All children, irrespective of their race, gender, religion, or other characteristics, have the same rights and should not be subject to discrimination.
- Children have the right to their name, nationality, and family identity, and, where possible, the right to know and be cared for by their parents preserving their sense of belonging.
- Children should have access to basic necessities, such as food, clothing, and shelter, to ensure their well-being.
Some children may require special protection, such as those who are refugees or belong to minority groups. The Children’s Bill of Rights acknowledges these unique needs.
For those unable to join us in person, get a glimpse of the magic of UN Day below!
Listening to our children recite these basic rights was a powerful reminder. Every child should have the right to good health, education, and protection. Sadly, this isn’t always the case. Millions of children around the world don’t get a fair chance. Their futures are impacted by where they’re born, their gender, or their circumstances.
Children are the future, and it’s our responsibility to look out for them and keep them safe. We believe that every child – no matter their situation – should have the chance to grow, learn, and be happy in a loving and safe place. As a society, we must protect these rights to give our kids a brighter future. In turn, we will make the world better for everyone.
The ICS Beloved Community is dedicated to “building the better world of our aspirations.” We do this by standing up for our youngest members and making the world a better place for all children.
Thank you to those who sponsored our UN Day and to everyone who joined us in unity and celebration! We all gained a better understanding of what it means to be a global citizen. I’m inspired and encouraged by the ways we strive toward these ideas each and every day at ICS.
Thank you to our 2023 UN Day Sponsors
Taskforce for Global Health (Presenting Sponsor)
Georgia United Credit Union (Gold Sponsor)
SQ/FT (Silver Sponsor)
Quality Home Healthcare (Silver Sponsor)
On Call Accounting (Silver Sponsor)
Bridgepoint (Silver Sponsor)
Friends of Refugees (Silver Sponsor)
Catholic Charities (Bronze Sponsor)
Successful Nonprofits (Bronze Sponsor)
CDH Partners (Bronze Sponsor)
Northstar (Bronze Sponsor)
Fran Carroll, ICS Executive Director, brings to ICS over 15 years of leadership and management experience in the for-profit and non-profit arena. For the last 3 years, Fran has served as the HR Manager, Interim Business Manager and most recently Director of Operations & Finance at ICS. In her spare time, when not spending time with her family, you can find Fran involved in the entrepreneurship arena in the Metro Atlanta area. She graduated from the Start:ME Southside Cohort in 2018 through Emory’s Goizuetta Business School. She loves entrepreneurship! In the past 3 years she has brought a lot of the entrepreneurial spirit to ICS. In 2020 she was listed as one of 11 parents who are making a difference!
