On Thursday, September 25, 2025, Grade 8 students from the MYP Community Engagement and Solidarity Project, together with Grade 11 students, proudly represented ISN at Regarddons Ensemble 2025 – A European Project for Children and Youth within an Inclusive, Civic, and Just Union for Peace. The international festival was held at Parc Phœnix in Nice.

This year’s theme, “For inclusion, rights, and freedom, against all forms of discrimination,” provided an inspiring framework for dialogue and collaboration. Students had the opportunity to meet and exchange with peers from across Europe, as well as with distinguished guests such as Mrs. Maty Diouf, Deputy Mayor of Nice for Women’s Rights, Equality, and Solidarity. In her remarks, Mrs. Diouf encouraged students to build bridges across differences, to stand up for equality, and to make solidarity a guiding principle for their generation.

The festival offered more than 150 cultural, artistic, and scientific workshops, addressing topics ranging from space exploration and biodiversity to environmental challenges and creative expression. Nearly 3,000 participants attended, creating a vibrant atmosphere of learning and exchange. These experiences reflected the MYP value of holistic learning, demonstrating how knowledge is interconnected across disciplines.

 

A highlight for ISN students was the opportunity to collaborate with world-renowned photographer JR, whose work celebrates diversity and community. The photos reflecting the diversity of faces, cultures, origins, and social backgrounds — all united around a single cause: defending the innocence and rights of children, Grade 8 students gathered these portraits and created individual placards to carry the voices of children during the festival.  Their group photo captured during the festival reflects the multicultural identity of youth in our region and embodies the MYP value of intercultural awareness.

The event was organized in partnership with the Ville de Nice, the Département des Alpes-Maritimes, the Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur, l’Éducation nationale, and the European Union. Together, these institutions created a platform where art, science, and civic engagement came together to inspire collective responsibility for a fairer and more sustainable future.

Our students returned from the festival with valuable lessons extending far beyond the classroom: the importance of solidarity, the dignity of caring for our planet, and the conviction that peace is built through shared responsibility. Above all, their participation illustrated the MYP commitment to service and action, showing how learning can make a meaningful difference in the community. Our ISN Grade 8 students were even inspired to create their own version of the portraits.

 

“This is a real life experience of our larger community.  A good first step into the Grade 8 Service Action project.” - Eve Therrien, Middle School Principal

 

“I really enjoyed connecting with others, I really hope we can join this event again next year and try more activities!” - Sean, Grade 8 Student

 

“It has been fun to be part of this festival because I felt like I was really part of this community. My favourite part was the “Un Seul Coeur” workshop where I got to write letters for schools around the world. I wish we could do it again!” - Sebastien, Grade 8 Student

 

“This experience has been wonderful to understand how different artists work and express their feelings. I’ve seen multiple artists and I have learnt a lot about JR and the way he uses photography to capture emotions” - Emily, Grade 8 Student

 

"It was an amazing experience and having the chance to lead a workshop like that is something I’ll never forget as not only a leader but a human. All the children were so diverse and unique but they all shared an innocence that warmed my heart; giving them the possibility to communicate with other children from around the world made this an irreplaceable memory. It was also really wholesome seeing exceptional children wanting to write letters and draw as much as ordinary children,It just proved that no matter what, everyone is equal and human. They brought so much life to the workshop and festival, I am extremely grateful to have been given this  opportunity. I will forever cherish the lessons this festival taught me" - Marie, Grade 11 Student

 

"I am extremely proud of our grade 8 students, who dedicated time and effort to the collaboration project with photographer JR. They showed kindness and patience while working with exceptional and ordinary children, I am sure this experience will inspire their future Community Engagement projects and look forward to hearing their plans and ideas!" - Marion Tissier, MYP Service and Action Coordinator

 

This memorable experience stands as a reminder that together, we can build a more just and inclusive world.