ANNUAL REVIEW 2019
1 Welcome
Our world needs young people who are driven from scholarship students on the impact of by a common sense of humanity and purpose. a world of education and experiences they Young people who want to develop their skills would never have had access to if it weren’t for and knowledge, not just to better their own our generous supporters. lives, but also the lives of others. Our supporters make UWC possible. Close We need young people whose vision extends to 5000 volunteers bolstered the UWC beyond their own community, nation and movement this year with their time and desire for individual success. We need them to expertise. The generosity of our donors work together, across all backgrounds, nations enables students from all backgrounds to and cultures, to build a more peaceful and experience a UWC education, while also sustainable future. providing the vitally important funding for campus spaces and buildings. Our role is to help them realise that they can. UWC’s mission is to make education a force We are humbled to continue working with and this Annual Review gives an account of great organisations, including the Horizon how that was done in 2019. Foundation and Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, which are both featured in this In August, we welcomed the 18th UWC year’s Annual Review. We are grateful for the school into our network. UWC East Africa is continued generosity of our patron, Shelby our second school on the African continent, Davis, for the support he provides our students and it builds on the 50 year legacy of at UWC, and beyond, and for helping us to International School Moshi (ISM) in Tanzania, build on our own culture of giving back within the first IB-school on the continent. We the UWC movement. And we are delighted to also welcomed new people to the UWC welcome a number of new partners this year. movement. Dr Musimbi Kanyoro began her term as the Chair of the UWC International We’ve come so far already, but there is still a lot Board, bringing a renewed sense of activism more work to do. The politics of identity and and wisdom from a lifetime spent serving separation are taking root. Walls of nationalism women and young people. She recently are rising in many places. It is our hope that this returned to her homeland of Kenya after year’s Annual Review will give you reason to many years working with major NGOs in believe that - with a UWC education - a truly Europe and the US. Her fresh energy and united world can still be reached. ideas are already rippling across the network. Thank you for all that you do. And we welcomed new ideas: 2019 marked the launch of a UWC movement-wide collaboration to re-examine UWC’s education programmes in a way that ensures our model of education meets the needs of students and promotes conditions of learning that help them to thrive in our changing world, and learn to change it for the better.
At UWC, we believe in possibility. Within these pages, you’ll read stories of how our students Jens Waltermann and community members have turned that Executive Director, UWC International possibility into something real. You will hear Pearson College UWC, 1983-1985
2 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 3 A Note From ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 The Chair Welcome 3
A Note from the Chair 5 In my first year as Chair of the UWC International Board I have been struck by the strong sense of community which bounds this Who We Are 6 organisation together. Students, volunteers and alumni burn with passion for an educational Our Vision 6 PRESIDENT OF UWC experience that changed their lives. And they are Our Approach 6 determined to pass it onto the next generation. HM Queen Noor of Jordan Our Global Reach 8 However, what makes this sense of community so extraordinary is that it is a direct connector UWC INTERNATIONAL BOARD to the wider human community that UWC was Our Impact 10 founded to bring together. In a room filled with in 2019 Musimbi Kanyoro Maria Inês Kavamura UWCers, you cannot help but believe that we are Chair of the Board Chair of International indeed one united human race. There, the faces The Year at a Glance 10 Development Committee and voices of all countries, creeds and colours are Pål Brynsrud represented in one place, learning from different Our Students 12 Vice-Chair of the Board, Victoria Mora pasts and collaborating towards a shared future. Chair of Nominating and President of UWC-USA A World Class Education 14 For Everyone Governance Committee The exchanges that take place at UWC schools, (NGC) Laurence Nodder short courses and meetings do not just result A Unique Education 16 Experience Rektor of UWC Robert in empty words. When you explore this Annual Laura Carone Bosch College, Review you’ll quickly see how these interactions A New Generation 18 of Bridge-Builders Vice-Chair of Committee Chair of Heads are the catalysts for action in different of the National Committee communities around the world. A New Generation 20 Committees (CNC) of Change-Makers Marco Provencio The world is calling for us to join hands. We A New Generation 22 Driek Desmet Chair of Committee for invite you to join us, too. You can do so from of Ethical Leaders Chair of Community the Governance of the any place, and at any age. May you enjoy this Engagement Committee National Committee glimpse into the UWC movement in 2019 - and System may it inspire you as it continues to inspire me. 25 Support in 2019 Eva Eschenbruch Chair of Committee of the Nicole Severino With Gratitude 25 National Committees Vice-Chair of Committee Partner Spotlight: of the National Aurora Humanitarian 26 Colin Habgood Committees Initiative Board Treasurer Partner Spotlight: 28 Ulhas Yargop The Horizon Foundation Christian Hodeige Board member UWC Saying Goodbye to Vice-Chair of UWC Mahindra College, 30 Three UWC Legends Robert Bosch College, Member of Personnel and Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro joined the UWC movement Chair of Chairs Remuneration Committee as Chair of the UWC International Board on 1 Committee January 2019. Dr. Kanyoro is globally recognised The Year 32 Veronika Zonabend for her leadership of organisations and initiatives in Numbers Peter Howe Founder and Chair of that advance health, development and human Principal of UWC Atlantic, UWC Dilijan, rights. Until mid 2019 she served as President and UWC Schools 32 Vice-Chair of Heads Member of International CEO of the Global Fund for Women. Dr. Kanyoro Committee Development Committee also sits on the UN Women Civil Society Advisory UWC International 34 Board and The UN Global Compact Board.
4 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 5 Who We Are
Our Vision Our Approach UWC is a global education SEEK EDUCATE movement that brings together young people from deliberately Our community is deliberately allocates scholarships to those A UWC education strives to characteristics, but all our schools UWC SHORT COURSES diverse backgrounds. Our schools diverse. We welcome students who need them. For 2019 entry, empower students to create a more nurture students’ passion for service, and short courses equip them with from across the globe through two 1595 students were selected peaceful and sustainable future. action, and creativity. They foster UWC short courses offer an intense the skills, values and perspectives application routes: through this route, with 1400 (88%) Although each school and UWC academic excellence, and encourage and immersive experience with a that empower them to build a more of those students receiving partial short course operates differently, intercultural understanding, focus on experiential learning. With a peaceful and sustainable future. THE UWC NATIONAL or full scholarships. our educational model provides the compassion and innovation. In their duration of usually one to four weeks, To ensure that a UWC education is COMMITTEE SYSTEM framework for all UWC students to final two years, most students enroll these short programmes increase the accessible for anyone with the drive THE GLOBAL SELECTION develop the skills and perspectives in residential programmes where number of people who can access a and potential to positively impact Our national committee system PROGRAMME (GSP) that will help them on this they live and learn alongside fellow UWC education. Participants may their community, we raise over of volunteers is present in over 150 journey. A UWC education can be young people from the most diverse come from the same country, region $60m a year in scholarship funds. countries. The committees find Students who are able to pay the full accessed through two educational backgrounds and cultures. or continent, or they may be an students from within their own regions, fees for a school can apply through experiences: entirely intercultural group. UWC Most of our students are aged often in the most unlikely of places. the GSP route. This is open to young UWC schools place a high value short courses focus on a variety of between 16 and 19 years old. This is These students are selected based people who wish to apply to a UWC UWC SCHOOLS on experiential learning, while also different themes or skill sets: from a time when young people’s energy on their potential to thrive at a UWC school 9 to 12 months before the providing students with the world’s youth leadership to sustainability, and idealism can be guided towards school or short course, independent beginning of the school year. For 2019 UWC’s 18 schools on four most recognised international from dialogue to migration, from empathy, responsibility and lifelong of socio-economic means. entry, 111 students were selected continents provide unparalleled diploma: the International gender to conflict resolution. action. Our students come from through this application route. learning opportunities for students. Baccalaureate Diploma Programme all kinds of cultural, ethnic and Once the most promising students Each have their own distinct (IBDP). INSPIRE socioeconomic backgrounds, and have been identified through a Students applying through either over 150 different countries. rigorous selection process, our selection route are assessed along Whether UWC students spend two financial assessment process the same UWC selection criteria. years at one of our schools or as little This level of diversity is integral as 10 days at a UWC short course, to a UWC education. By bringing they will forever remain a part of a together the entire spectrum of thriving international community. our global society, from refugees Guided by the UWC values and to royalty, young people’s eyes mission, members of the UWC are opened to fresh perspectives. movement become actors of change They learn to navigate intercultural and forces for good, in whichever and intersocietal tensions and field they choose to pursue. To differences in a way that enables date, a network of almost 60,000 them to see the world as one global alumni across the world have been community. empowered to inspire others.
6 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 WHO WE ARE 7 Our Global Reach
UWC RED CROSS NORDIC Norway
UWC ATLANTIC UWC ADRIATIC Wales, UK Italy
UWC MOSTAR UWC CHANGSHU CHINA Bosnia and Herzegovina China
UWC ISAK JAPAN Japan PEARSON COLLEGE UWC Canada UWC LI PO CHUN Hong Kong
USA UWC DILIJAN UWC SOUTH Armenia EAST ASIA Singapore UWC UWC COSTA RICA MAASTRICHT UWC THAILAND Costa Rica The Netherlands Thailand
UWC MAHINDRA COLLEGE UWC ROBERT India BOSCH COLLEGE Germany UWC EAST AFRICA Tanzania
WATERFORD KAMHLABA UWC SOUTHERN AFRICA Eswatini
8 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 WHO WE ARE 9 SELECTIONS! 156 UWC national committees selected students for Entry 2019 and the second round of the Our Impact Global Selection Programme (GSP) took place this year in London, Toronto, Amsterdam, in 2019 Dubai and Bangkok. THE UWC SHORT COURSE UWC DAY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE UWC Day events around the UWC International and theme “Climate of Change” took the UWC Spanish National place in 73 countries. Activities Committee joined forces this included joining the Fridays For year in the build-up to reaching Future Climate Action protests 3,000 UWC short course around the world. participants by 2023.
20 19 YOUNG AURORA The Year “Smokeless Kitchens”, a student- driven project from UWC East Africa won the first prize of $4000, with THE 18TH UWC SCHOOL at a Glance 4908 “Young Voices” from UWC Atlantic In August 2019, we welcomed UWC VOLUNTEERS and “Precious Plastic” from Pearson East Africa in Tanzania. UWC East contributed College UWC winning the runner-up Africa is the second UWC school on WE WELCOMED NEW PARTNERSHIPS 74,434 hours to UWC @ UN prize of $2000. the African continent. Welcome! the UWC Young UWC alumni The European Union movement were invited to the UN to meet the General Stichting Careduca Foundation Assembly President UWC INTERNATIONAL and UN ambassadors. ANNUAL GOVERNANCE Pestalozzi International Foundation MEETINGS HARVARD-UWC The meetings were held at UWC IMPACT STUDY The Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Atlantic in Wales in November, 7676 UWC alumni completed the Al Qasimi Foundation bringing together the UWC alumni survey which investigates International Council, the UWC the transformative nature of a UWC International Board and all its RSAacademics experience on its students. The final committee members for a week report will be published by Project of exchange, discussion and joint EBRD Zero of the Harvard Graduate agenda setting. School of Education in 2021. Olivier Descamps Family
10 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 OUR IMPACT IN 2019 11 Our Students In 2019
STUDENTS STUDENT Total number of young people REACHED reached across all UWC schools SCHOLARSHIPS and short courses 11,704
Total number of students across UWC schools 10,786 86% of UWC national committee-selected In 2019, a UWC education Total number of young people students in the International reached a total of Baccalaureate Diploma 11,704 young people who participated in UWC short courses Programme (IBDP) years at across its schools and UWC schools received full short courses from 918 or partial financial support. 161 countries Within this group each student received, on Total number of IB Diploma average, $59,000 in Programme students scholarship funding over (grades 11 and 12) the course of their two 4,847 years at UWC.
Total number of UWC national committee selected students in residence (grades 11 and 12) 3,151 GENDER BREAKDOWN IB RESULTS BEYOND UWC
IB Average Score of UWC students in 2019 891 34.7 UWC graduates 44% entered the Davis-UWC 4821 male Scholars Program in 2019, 55% students with scholarships 5959 female They join the 3,113 students 29.6 to 92 US colleges Davis UWC scholars IB Average Score and universities, from 127 countries currently Worldwide in 2019 including all eight benefiting from the Program, Ivy League schools. and the 9,428 UWC graduates 0.1% that have been supported 6 trans/non-binary students by the Program since it was launched in 2000.
12 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 13 Baher Alabd from Syria, Uche Frances Lyere from Nigeria, Marton McCue from the UK, A World Class UWC Atlantic, 2019-2021 UWC Thailand 2018-2020 UWC Mostar, 2019-2021 Horizon-UWC Scholar Dare to Dream Scholar RSAcademics - UWC Scholar
Education For “We were living a normal life in Syria until “I grew up in the Delta State in the South of Marton was born in Hungary and emigrated the war started. Then everything changed. Nigeria. My parents tried very hard to put to Darlington, UK, when he was nine. Everyone Every day bombs were dropped on our my brothers and me through school but the When he first heard about UWC, he was neighbourhood. I remember the day my father economy was hard. I always thought about immediately intrigued: In 2019, we welcomed 1400 new scholarship was killed, I can’t forget it. I was at school when how it would feel studying somewhere I students to our schools. That’s 1400 I was told he was dead. I remember thinking, would be given the opportunity to reach my “I was incredibly anxious all the way up to the individuals, and 88% of all national committee now I am alone in the world.” full potential and to know a better version of day when I got my acceptance letter. I received selected students, who would otherwise not myself. I wanted to achieve what my brothers the letter in the afternoon, and felt joy like I have been able to access this exceptional At the age of twelve, Baher began life as a and my parents could not and I wanted to give never had before. Coming from a disadvantaged opportunity in international education. refugee in Lebanon. After years spent trying to them a better life. When I was finally awarded area and background, I first didn’t think that earn enough money to pay his rent and attend a scholarship to study at UWC Thailand, it UWC was my place. But then the RSAcademics This is possible because we work together with school during the week, Baher discovered was the best feeling. It was the beginning of scholarship showed me that UWC is for a number of generous and well-established UWC. He applied through the Syrian national another adventure; it felt like I was in a dream everyone, regardless of wealth or status.” partners. Year on year, this means extending committee and finally received an offer for UWC that I earnestly wished was a reality.” the life-changing opportunity of a UWC Atlantic with a scholarship from the Horizon Describing his UWC experience so far, Marton education to an ever-more-diverse group of Foundation: “I will never forget that moment. I Having now been at UWC for almost two says: “UWC is about doing anything and young people. had been so worried about my future and then I years, Frances says: “My UWC experience everything, beyond your wildest dreams, all received an email one morning saying I had been so far has been exquisitely challenging. I in a day. In just these past three months I And thanks to our University Scholarship accepted to UWC Atlantic. I was beside myself am learning that there is a better side of have learnt so much and grown so much as a Partners, the education that students receive with happiness, I just couldn’t believe it.” myself that I am just realising exists and as person. I’ve finally understood that I can do at UWC is only the first step. This year alone, time passes, I have learnt to challenge my so much more than I ever thought possible if I 891 UWC students received scholarships Baher has now been at UWC Atlantic for a full way of thinking, my ideas, my beliefs and put my mind to it.” through the Davis UWC Scholars Program term: “When I first arrived, I was awestruck to my expectations. I can’t possibly change to further their education at 93 US colleges, see the Castle, the dining hall, the gardens, all the world but I want to change and help the Looking to the future, Marton says “My dream including all eight Ivy League schools. Other the places I had been looking at in photos every people around me. I want to make an impact for the future is to return to my hometown partner institutions offering our graduates day. I have done so much already and yet there on people’s lives no matter how little. I want and help improve the lives of those who were unique scholarships include UCL London, is still so much for me to experience and achieve to be someone that my family and I can be in the same disadvantaged situations I was the Sustainability Management School in here. It has been completely life-changing.” proud of and to give a wonderful life to the in before coming here. My ultimate goal is to Switzerland, the American University of people I care about.” be able to sponsor one more person from a Armenia, Université Catholique de Louvain Impressed by the essays he wrote for his UWC disadvantaged background to attend UWC as I and the American Graduate School of application, Baher has been offered a full know what an amazing opportunity it is for so Business in Switzerland. scholarship by a university in the US, but he is many high achievers who are in no financial or already looking beyond that to the impact he social position to think that an experience like can make in the world. “I have a lot of dreams, this one would be possible for them.” and now that I’m at UWC Atlantic, more and more of them have not only become possible, but they have become my duty to fulfil. One day, I would like to become a global advocate for children living in war zones, as I was, and to give a voice to those who often aren’t given one.”
14 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 OUR IMPACT IN 2019 15 A Unique Education
Jaime Miguel Nieman from Spain, Luana Marques Soares from Brazil, Alya Elalaoui from Morocco, Experience Teacher of Global Politics at UWC Dilijan UWC Maastricht, 2016-2018 ActionXChange Short Course, 2019 In an era of climate crisis, increasing social “At UWC, a classroom is no longer a “Every lesson seems like an exciting journey “ActionXChange unlocked in me leadership divide and rapid technological advancement classroom. It has transformed into something of discovery. Mainly because teachers do not skills I never knew I had. It allowed me to we need students who are capable of shaping different. It is an educational environment use an authoritarian position in class, instead shape my opinions, to ask the questions I have a better future, building bridges and solving driven by authenticity, empowerment, and they understand that the students are also always wanted to know the answers to and problems. Educational research has made it deep experiential learning. Learning happens owners of knowledge and they incentivize its use the voice I have been given to speak up. clear that current school testing systems and through collaboration. My role as a teacher is exchange in class. However, we are still guided It showed me how important it is to stand overly structured learning environments are to facilitate and frame students’ interactions to more profound levels of understanding up for what you believe in. It helped me insufficient for this purpose. and make sure that the space is one where through thought provoking readings and discover knowledge in myself and tolerance for everyone feels like their presence matters” in depth class discussions. Every student is others. It taught me more about life than any This year, UWC schools across the network recognised as an essential piece for the lesson, textbook could ever have because I lived this have made significant progress in reimagining teachers understand individual differences experience on my own. It gave me hope that some of the component parts of a UWC (strengths and weaknesses) and work closely I am able to do great things. Since attending education. The Land and Sea Stewardship with students to make sure that challenges are ActionXChange I have signed up for so many course at UWC Atlantic or Slavery Studies overcome and that strengths are noticed.” clubs in school and I am ready to pursue and at UWC Dilijan are among the courses continue the education development project specifically designed this year to make in Morocco that we started working on during education a force for change in the 21st the camp. In the future, I now know I want to century. At some UWC schools, educators become a mediator.” are also experimenting within the existing IBDP framework with methodologies such as gradeless and self-directed learning, to allow students to follow their own curiosities and centre the focus on intrinsic motivation and self-directed learning skills.
UWC short courses, meanwhile, have emerged as an outstandingly effective way to focus on those parts of a UWC education that we know our students cherish the most: building communities across differences and being equipped to solve the problems our world faces. To ensure that the opportunity for young people to join UWC short courses continues to grow towards UWC’s goal of reaching 3,000 participants by 2023, the first UWC short course conference and subsequent UWC Short Course Development Initiative was also launched this year.
16 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 OUR IMPACT IN 2019 17 Tajra Karabašić from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alice Munnelly from Ireland, A New UWC Mostar, 2018-2020 UWC Costa Rica, 2012-2014
“I am a student who comes from a conflict Alice is a lawyer in training and the co-chair of Generation of zone that is home to three different nations: the Young Mediators Group. She is also doing Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats. Since my childhood a Master’s degree in War Studies at King’s Bridge-Builders I experienced inequality and mistreatment from College London, with a view to becoming a people of different nationalities. But at UWC mediator in conflict zones. She has delivered This year, students from 161 countries and Mostar I have had the chance to hear different pro bono mediation services in the UK as well many more communities, cultures and stories and experiences from students from all as conflict resolution training programmes in circumstances came together to share a over the world. It has taught me so much about the U.S. Her interest in mediation began at campus space and an education. Israelis and respecting others and valuing differences, and also UWC Costa Rica: Palestinians shared a dorm room. Turks and drove me to start my own Peacekeeping Project, Kurds shared a global politics class. Muslims focused on Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, “It was through the service options offered at from Kashmir debated election results with to ensure that in the future hate won’t stop this UWC that I first had the opportunity to train Hindus from New Delhi. region from being successful and innovative.” as a cross-cultural mediator. We acted as peer mediators and delivered mediation workshops In 2019, the EU Scholarship Programme for The Project was organised in cooperation with in different Costa Rican communities, ranging Cypriot Youth at UWC was also established. a neighbouring IB school, and involved Bosniak, from schools to rehabilitation centres. There’s With the goal to help build bridges of mutual Serbian and Croation students with the aim of a direct link between my first experience understanding within Cyprus, the European re-examining the history of the region together of mediation at UWC and my professional Union is granting six full scholarships for Cypriot and addressing the tensions that persist between interests now.” students to attend UWC Mostar in 2020. the ex-member states of former Yugoslavia. She says of her experience at UWC: ”Living By living with - and learning from - people “One of the goals of this project was for us with people from around the world taught me from the other side of the wall, ocean or younger generations to spend time together that actions carry different meanings when valley, students learn to navigate the tensions and realize that we are actually all very similar interpreted through diverse experience. Each that divide our world and begin to see the and that those small differences shouldn’t be a one of us arrives at UWC with the stereotypes similarities that unite us. They bring these barrier to success. And it ended up being even that consciously and unconsciously prevail experiences and skills with them wherever more successful than I expected. Although at home and then find the means at UWC to they go next, helping others to resolve conflict there was some discomfort between the constructively address and embrace those and build bridges rather than walls. students of different nations at the start, that differences. Through student gatherings, quickly evaporated as we examined together community meetings and even mealtime how people from all three nations used to live discussions, we engaged with both the and work together. The project showed me relational and substantive elements of that we younger generations are much more disputes. We were empowered to create open minded and want to cooperate with one our own outcomes based on clearer and another. I strongly believe that in the future, more confident understandings of ourselves, when younger generations come to power, reconciling relationships as well as world views we will all be better off. After graduating from in the process. These experiences convinced UWC it will be my mission to show even more me of conflict’s transformative potential, people that hate will bring us nowhere and which is the very reason why I combine a that we really are stronger together.” career in law with the practice of mediation.”
Photo: Massimo Marigo/RTV Maastricht
18 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 OUR IMPACT IN 2019 19 A New Generation of Change-Makers
UWC East Africa Smokeless Kitchens Team UWC Atlantic Young Voices Team Pearson College UWC Precious Plastic Team How do you inspire and equip students to be the change they want to see in the world? This When the team found out that respiratory The Young Voices team found that a lack Antoine from Switzerland and Eden from year, over 1200 service projects took place disease was one of the leading causes of death in of civic engagement among young people Canada were inspired to start their Precious across UWC campuses, spanning a huge range Tanzania, and that it was directly linked to smoke in Wales is giving rise to a host of societal Plastic project in a Marine Science class, where of causes from offering peer support to fellow inhalation caused by the stoves most families issues, including deepening inequality, social a beach clean-up forced them to come face to students and helping to maintain the campus, used everyday for their cooking - they went exclusion and a culture of blame. “At its core”, face with the critical need for proper recycling to reaching out to local organisations, schools about designing their very own smokeless stove they say, “our project embodies our belief that practices. The pair felt disheartened by the lack and community centres. design. These stoves are low-cost, remove smoke every young person should actively participate of action on this issue in the community, and from inside the house and use significantly in society in our capacity as citizens.” decided to take their own steps. 26 UWC short courses inspired 918 less fuel. This design had the potential to solve participants on a wide array of topics, from two crucial issues: the overwhelming effects To tackle this issue on the local level, they set The result was a plan to build a small plastic developing a practical approach to building of smoke experienced by families in the Moshi about designing a peer-led civic education recycling factory on campus. This will allow a sustainable future in its economic, social region and the amount of time women had to programme for 13 to 18 year olds with the aim the team to reduce the amount of plastic and environmental dimensions, to exploring spend each day collecting firewood. But the big of passing on all that they learnt at UWC. The wasted on campus, while also helping to community building techniques and question was how they could make these stoves programme was created to help young people inspire the surrounding community to follow opportunities for youth activism. available to families in villages across the local in neighbouring schools become engaged in their footsteps. Antoine says, “we could not area. This was when the opportunity to apply for and compassionate citizens of tomorrow, live with the UWC mission of creating a more Service Learning is a cornerstone of a UWC the Young Aurora prize arose. while also closing the gap between the sustainable future while knowing that tonnes education. Many alumni reflect that it was civic awareness of teenagers from different of plastic were habitually being thrown out at both one of the reasons they chose to go A few months later, the team found socioeconomic backgrounds. On the national our College. Even if our project can not solve to a UWC, and one of the experiences they themselves on a stage at UWC Dilijan in level, the team are also working working with the wider issue of plastic waste, we truly believe cherished the most. Students are encouraged Armenia, accepting $4000 in prize money to the Welsh Youth Parliament, the Electoral it can bring Pearson College UWC a step closer to look beyond the current state of affairs, further develop their project. Reflecting on Reform Society, Youth Cymru and other towards its ultimate goal of a sustainable and see the possibilities for change they the journey the team have taken so far, final leading organizations to advocate for Votes future. We would be so proud if we could also provide. This gives them a strong sense year student Yahaya Ndutu from Tanzania, at 16 legislation and the inclusion of civic set an example for other schools and colleges of the benefits of service, the power of who was himself diagnosed with a respiratory education into the National Curriculum. The in this regard.” We look forward to seeing the community, the challenges of change and the disease at a very young age due to smoke and Young Aurora jury expressed their heartfelt team move towards this goal with the $2000 opportunities that accompany failure. dust, says that it is the “realisation that even admiration for the team and pledged $2000 they received at the Young Aurora final. teens, with the right motive and a structured to help them achieve the next goals they have Among the many examples of student-led, organisation, have the power to enact life- set out for their project. short course and alumni projects in 2019 are changing projects” that will stay with him. the three Young Aurora teams from UWC Atlantic, UWC East Africa and Pearson College UWC. These change-makers were chosen out of a pool of sixteen projects from across UWC schools and the African Leadership Academy, and presented their humanitarian projects to a jury composed of notable figures in the fields of education and humanitarian work at the prestigious Aurora Forum in Armenia.
20 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 OUR IMPACT IN 2019 21 Ethical Leaders in politics: Ethical Leaders in Business: Ethical Leaders in Activism: Rohan O’Neill-Stephens from New Zealand, Kesava Kirupa Dinakaran from India Aoife Flemming from Ireland and Brazil, UWC Robert Bosch College, 2017-2019 UWC Mahindra College, 2016-2018 UWC Maastricht, 2014-2016
Rohan graduated from UWC in May 2019. Mere months after graduating from UWC, “At UWC I felt I was continuously learning by In October 2019, he was elected to serve Kesava was awarded the first prize in the being challenged by my teachers and peers to on Nelson City Council in his New Zealand Infosys Science Foundation Nutrition develop myself and have a positive impact on hometown. Reflecting on this quick transition, Challenge, by Amartya Sen himself, for the world around me.” A New Rohan says: “At UWC, the most rewarding designing and revamping the current model and energising aspect was striving to build a for tackling malnutrition in India. He was also In October 2019, Aoife was elected as the strong community, and to enable everyone named one of the 30 most influential social Dutch Youth Representative to the UN on Generation in it to thrive. It made me want to be a part entrepreneurs between 13 and 19. Today, sustainable development, a role she has of change, and make tangible improvements he is in the process of setting up his second taken on beside studying law at Leiden of Ethical Leaders in the lives of those around me. I want to business in Silicon Valley, Digital Brain, with University and working as a legal assistant for continue in that spirit.” the support of an array of influential figures in the environmental organization, The Ocean A values-based education means placing the tech start-up world behind him. Cleanup. She says, “climate change is one of compassion and service, mutual responsibility, The question of what makes an ‘ethical leader’ the biggest challenges of our time, and young and respect for the environment at the core has therefore become immediately relevant When asked to reflect on what ‘ethical people will have to live with the consequences of what it means to be a responsible and to Rohan. He says, “An ethical leader to me leadership’ means to him, Kesava says, “UWC the longest. Therefore I think it’s extremely successful leader. These are the leaders we is someone who leads with compassion and has had an immense role on the way in which important that we have a voice when it comes need to face the problems of the present and courage. Someone who is unafraid to put I think about ethical leadership. The reason to deciding and implementing measures to to innovate our future. forward truly transformational visions and will being that at UWC we are told from day one mitigate the effects.” fight to bring along their communities with what the culture of our community is and them, standing alongside those most affected. what our focus is on. And that filters down As a leading voice for youth on the topic UWC showed me that from the smallest scale into every aspect of everyday life at UWC, of climate change, Aoife reflected on what to internationally, the people we respect and from how we talk to each other to how we ‘ethical leadership’ means to her, “To me, remember the most are those willing to put build projects and, ultimately, our futures. being an ethical leader means looking out for everything on the line for what’s right.” The same kind of idea can be applied to what the well-being of the earth, as well as that I’m building today. UWC led me to set up a of other people, near and far. My time at Looking back on this accomplishment and framework early on for the kinds of values UWC has taught me that there are so many forward to the future, he says “I could never I would always want to stand for in the interests and sensitive issues that I should be have imagined being elected at such a young business world, from being kind to others to aware of, and this will definitely help me in the age, neither could many pundits. But I think rules around data protection. Maintaining future, and already has. For example, as much this is a testament to the growing zeitgeist that is of the most important value to me as climate change and sustainability are topics of youth leadership. I know my generation and fundamentally that’s what ethical that have the ability to unite people through won’t forgive, and can’t afford, inaction or leadership is.” their sense of urgency, it can also create political expediency, and that motivates me division. People are asking themselves whose each day to fight harder. I want to be a part responsibility it is to mitigate the effects of of a movement for a more just and equitable climate change. I hope that by listening to society in New Zealand - and around the these different viewpoints I can represent world - and enable those whose voices have Dutch youth in a way that does justice to the been continually overlooked to take the centre plurality of opinions and people that exist.” stage in creating this change.” Photo: Hindele Zondervan
22 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 OUR IMPACT IN 2019 23 Support in 2019
With Gratitude
For 57 years, UWC has sought out budding changemakers in every corner of the world, and helped them to guide us towards a more united and stable world.
Throughout that time, we’ve been supported by many. When we were first finding our feet, Antonin Besse donated St Donat’s Castle to us, a castle that is now home to UWC Atlantic. And every day since, our message of hope has been echoed by the patrons, partners and volunteers who do what they can, and often more. We could not achieve all that we do without you all.
Our global supporters cross borders, and industries. They come from education, finance, business, government and NGO
sectors, to name but a few. Philanthropic European Union support in all its forms, time, treasure, and talent, is essential for UWC. Thank you for standing by us, and supporting young people in their dreams for a more just, sustainable and peaceful future.
The Johan and Marianne Andresen family
24 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 SUPPORT IN 2019 25 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT What was it that drew you to UWC at the is already living the ethos of gratitude in action beginning? by doing so much to give back to Armenia. There’s Bora from Turkey who has been Aurora Our story with UWC was to some extent navigating a huge shift in his understanding of accidental but also quite organic. We knew the Armenian Genocide, learning about it for we wanted to build a school and we knew we the first time from the Armenian perspective. Humanitarian wanted it to be international, to enable young And there’s Workneh from Ethiopia who, people from across the world to understand before receiving a scholarship to UWC Dilijan, each other from an early age, and to open up worked as a shoeshiner on the streets to earn Initiative the whole world to them. This notion was very kerosene so that he could study by light at coherent with what we found at UWC, and we night. Workneh is now studying at Harvard quickly came to see how the ethos of our two University, receiving an international education organisations was almost identical. Kurt Hahn’s on a par with people from the richest families. Veronika Zonabend vision of creating a global community across Such stories cannot but inspire. differences to avoid a Third World War has Veronika Zonabend is the founding partner and affected by conflict, displacement and poverty become no less acute today. With the current What makes you hopeful for a more united the Chair of the Board of Governors of UWC to attend a UWC school on a full scholarship. trends in isolationism and populism, we need and peaceful future? Dilijan in Armenia. She is actively involved Thanks to Aurora, the potential of each of bridge-builders. We need to keep the dialogue in humanitarianism, focusing primarily on these students to become global advocates between nations and cultures open. It is ok UWC schools! Every time I visit a UWC the promotion of global education. Together for a more peaceful and sustainable future is to have different opinions - as UWC students school I think: yes, the world has a future. The with her husband, Ruben Vardanyan, she has being realised. quickly find out - but it is important to find young people there are so optimistic, both established Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, common ground on this shared planet. I believe about their own future and their ability to Scholae Mundi, the RVVZ Family Foundation How did your work in the field of that the main purpose of education is three- make a difference to our shared future. Their and the IDeA Charitable Foundation, all of humanitarianism and education begin? fold: to develop your own skills and viewpoints, enthusiasm and energy is so infectious. And which implement philanthropic sustainable to find your purpose in the world and to that gives me hope for our world. development projects in Russia, Armenia and Since childhood I’ve understood that education connect with the wider human community. other countries. is very important. My family, like many This is the kind of education I found at UWC. other Russian families, know what it is like Veronika’s partnership with UWC began with to suddenly lose everything overnight. And What inspires you about the UWC the founding of UWC Dilijan and has since in those situations, all that stays with you is movement today? Why is a partnership broadened to include a number of initiatives your knowledge, your skills and your network. such as ours important in today’s world? and programmes, including the Aurora-UWC Having an education and a network of fellow Gratitude Scholarship Programme. Founded humans that you can rely on, therefore, The world needs more humanitarians. So by on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian is essential for all of us. That’s where my combining Aurora’s humanitarian mission with Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, fundamental belief in the importance of UWC’s educational model, we can turn all Aurora Humanitarian Initiative seeks to humanitarian thinking, combined with a focus that talk about humanitarianism into real life empower modern-day saviors to offer life on education, stems from. This is in part what commitment. Because a UWC education is not and hope to those in urgent need of basic we hoped to capture with Aurora Humanitarian just an opportunity, it is also a challenge for humanitarian aid anywhere in the world and Initiative; founded in tribute to those young people to commit themselves to give thus continue the cycle of giving internationally. humanitarians around the world who helped back to society. the Armenian people during the Genocide 100 One strand of the Initiative’s work offers years ago, we wanted to show gratitude to our What UWC student story has inspired you academic scholarships to UWC schools for fellow human and continue the cycle of giving. the most? at-risk youth from the Middle East who have It is very important to always remember that been affected by conflict, displacement, when someone has given you a second chance, There are so many amazing students that it is and poverty. Since its launch in 2016, the it becomes your turn to give back to someone always hard to just pick one. And they are all Programme has sponsored 41 young people else who needs it. still so young! There’s Kenzo from Japan, who
26 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 SUPPORT IN 2019 27 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT way they view the world and to promote social occupation or exile, particularly Afghans, cohesion. And what makes such an education Palestinians, Syrians and Tibetans. People so important in today’s world is that in addition enduring war or oppression have the most The Horizon to being offered a strong academic foundation, to gain from the UWC experience, precisely the scholars have the opportunity to debate because they have very limited access to issues and engage in community service projects good education. My hope springs from seeing Foundation that equip them with the skills and confidence just how well these students do when they required to tackle pertinent issues such as move on to university, or return to serve their climate change, human rights, the plight of home communities. I’m also hopeful that, in refugees. All of this helps us foster a generation addition to Horizon’s scholarships, our recently Samia El Tabari of inclusive change-makers who will hopefully launched Community Engagement and Seed promote positive change in our world one day. Funding Initiatives will enable our scholars to Prior to becoming CEO of the Horizon projects – especially for young people who implement projects that promote cross-cultural Foundation, Samia El Tabari worked for over don’t have access to such great opportunities - What student story inspires you the most? understanding and community development. two decades in educational and development are the preferred vehicle for their philanthropic More broadly and with a long-term vision, projects with refugee and other communities, drive. Therefore, they were immediately To date, Horizon has supported 119 scholars Horizon hopes that its scholars will become most of which have been Middle East focused. intrigued when they were approached with over multiple years and, of those, 91 are a community of change-makers who in time the prospect of two Palestinian boys from a Horizon-UWC scholars! So, we have too will return home – to promote positive change Samia started working alongside UWC in 2016 West Bank refugee camp being supported to many stories that inspire us on many levels and support their communities, despite the after she joined the Horizon Foundation and attend UWC Atlantic in 2006. The excellent to mention here. Our scholars are talented disadvantages of conflict. its mission of developing a well-rounded and reputation of UWC Atlantic was definitely and resilient. We have scholars who’ve moved internationally-aware generation through an additional factor that then motivated the on to graduate from Harvard and MIT, some exemplary Education. The Foundation mainly Foundation to launch our partnership with who joined big companies like Google or focuses on refugees and students affected by UWC. However, more than that, it was the Dropbox, others who launched start-ups, conflict, occupation or exile, and supports its possibility that a school could bring together some who are engaged in development work scholars to attend leading boarding schools for students from so many different parts of in their communities back home and so on. their final two years of secondary education. the world under one roof. That was very Many stories resonate with us – one of our By providing educational opportunities and compelling. We felt that the care that UWC first two UWC scholars is now working with support to young people through scholarships, provided would allow our scholars to integrate UWC International! Another scholar, who had the Foundation seeks not only to offer new more easily. Another main attraction point is missed out on three years of schooling prior to horizons for students but also to foster the access that UWC provides to full funding attending UWC because of the conflict in Syria, positive change in their communities. at US universities through The Davis UWC achieved high marks in his IB and obtained a Scholars Program. This makes us feel that the full university scholarship. A most inspiring The Horizon Foundation has been sponsoring future of our scholars is even more secure. example that really speaks to me is the story UWC students since 2006, and in 2016 entered of one of our scholars who has been working a partnership with UWC International to fund What inspires you, and the Foundation, for several years on increasing the engagement scholars from Afghanistan, Palestine, Syria, and about the UWC movement today and why and representation of youth in Palestine. With Tibetans in India. Horizon has supported over is it important in today’s world? a seed fund from Horizon she has also recently 90 scholars to attend UWC schools. set up a music summer camp in Dheisheh We’ve seen time and again through our refugee camp in Bethlehem reaching 50 What drew the Horizon Foundation to scholars the amazing opportunities that children through music education and activities. UWC at the beginning? UWC unleashes. UWC is a great platform for personal and multicultural exchanges amongst What makes you hopeful for a more united Horizon founders, Patrick and Kirkland the students and the local community. This and peaceful future? Smulders, have long believed in the allows our scholars to both “educate” and opportunities that a good education can “learn” from their peers and people in their As you know, the Horizon Foundation focuses provide to anyone in life. As such, educational new communities, helping to influence the on refugees and students affected by conflict,
28 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 SUPPORT IN 2019 29 Saying Goodbye to Three UWC Legends
It is with great sadness, and even greater admiration and gratitude, that we said goodbye to three heroes of the UWC movement this year.
David B. Sutcliffe, who passed away on David B. Sutcliffe 11 November 2019, was one of UWC’s truly great men: he worked with Kurt Hahn at Gordonstoun and became a founding staff member at UWC Atlantic, and then the Principal. David went on to become the founding Head of UWC Adriatic and the co-founder of UWC Mostar.
Colin Jenkins passed away on 15 November 2019. His influence on the UWC movement and the people that form this community extended far and wide. From houseparent at UWC Atlantic to Principal, and founding Head of UWC Costa Rica, UWC SEA and UWC Dilijan, Colin brought his far-reaching experience of UWC, alongside his energy and commitment to every corner of the world of UWC.
John Lawrenson passed away on 1 October 2019. He arrived at UWC Atlantic in 1978 Colin Jenkins and quickly became instrumental in shaping the UWC movement that we know today. He went on to wear just about every hat on offer in the UWC movement, as teacher and houseparent at UWC Atlantic, being part of the founding team at Li Po Chun UWC, Rektor at UWC Red Cross Nordic, Chair of the College Heads Committee and as a member of the UWC International Board. He also contributed to the early work that eventually led to the founding of UWC Changshu China.
All three men shaped and inspired the UWC movement in a number of significant ways. It is safe to say that we would not be where we are today without their determination, grit and love for UWC. Thank you for all that you did.
John Lawrenson
30 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 SUPPORT IN 2019 31 The Year in Numbers
UWC Schools Financial Year 2017-2018
TOTAL INCOME TOTAL EXPENDITURE
$244M 2015 2015 $213M
$243M 2016 2016 $218M
$305M 2017 2017 $282M
$313M 2018 2018 $284M
GRANTS AND DONATIONS TOTAL STAFF BREAKDOWN In 2019
Academic Staff (FTE*) 1264 Individuals Outsourced Foundations incl. alumni 7 $6,5 $16.4 Administrative and Management staff (FTE) Campus Staff (FTE) Corporations 939 958 $2,1 Outsourced Total income from 32 Grants and Donations In-house 1257 US$61M National Committee Scholarship Funding Outsourced $8,4M In-house 607 907
Governments Other $23,6M Donors In-house $3,5M 351
*Full Time Equivalent
32 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 THE YEAR IN NUMBERS 33 The Year in Numbers
UWC International RESTRICTED FUNDS Financial Year 2018-2019 BREAKDOWN Donations for National Committees $105,740 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Donations for Schools Davis-UWC and Colleges Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total Funding* $197,120 Funds Funds Funds 2019 2018 $3,4M £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Harvard Impact Study Total Restricted Funds $392,935 INCOME US$7,1M Fees from schools and colleges 2.589 773 - 3.362 3.040
Scholarship Grants and donations 3 2.745 - 2.748 3.335 Investment Income Grants $49,606 $2.9M Interest and investment income 310 38 - 348 200
Other income - 28 - 28 -
Total income 2.902 3.584 - 6.486 6.575 *Paid directly to UWC schools but managed by UWC International
EXPENDITURE TOTAL STAFF Fundraising costs 206 - - 206 485
Grants towards scholarships and 23 7 14 211 2.691 - 2.902 3.213 staff members consultants nationalities other disbursements
Communications and publications 494 - - 494 424
Services to national committees, 634 911 - 1.545 907 schools and colleges
Strategy and development 786 - - 786 643
Total expenditure 2.331 3.602 - 5.933 5.672
34 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 THE YEAR IN NUMBERS 35 www.uwc.org
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