Dear friends of UWC,

Over the past few weeks, I have attempted to find the right words to encapsulate my experiences since I joined UWC International, yet, words do not always do justice to our feelings. The one word that comes to mind right now is community.

It feels like a community when I receive emails and LinkedIn messages from alums across several generations reaching out to welcome me and share their hopes for the continued impact of UWC in the world. It feels like a community when I have the opportunity to join a group discussion with students from UWCSEA who are undertaking a research project on globalisation and its impact on culture (you were all fantastic, Krishiv, Shruti, Maia and Charlie!). It feels like a community when I join meetings of the Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ARDEI) committee of the UWC International Board, and realise that some members are either joining the meeting at midnight, at 5:00am, or right in the middle of Sunday lunch. It takes commitment to build community, and determination to sustain it.

Unfortunately, the sad news coming out of Ukraine today reminds us of the need to hold our community close. I am especially thinking about members of our Ukrainian and Russian National committees and the students across our schools and colleges who might be worried about what the future holds for them and their families. For many years, Russian and Ukrainian students have lived and studied side-by-side at UWC, and that is the picture of the world we desire. One of my favourite quotes from the civil rights leader and pacifist, A.J. Muste reads: “There is no way to peace; peace is the way”.  

Also, as our global community continues to forge a way through the COVID-19 pandemic and its many debilitating effects, we will inevitably experience moments of great delight and moments of extreme discomfort. We were thrilled to receive the news this month that international students, who had been studying remotely, would finally be allowed to enter Japan to continue their studies at UWC ISAK Japan after many months of hopeful waiting.

Almost concurrently, we received news from Li Po Chun UWC that spiralling COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong had prompted the government to announce prohibitions on gatherings, thereby forcing the College back into remote learning. We are sending our very best wishes to all members of our community across the world who are weathering one storm after another, and hoping for brighter days very soon. Our community is strengthened when we stand with each other in difficult times, as well as good times.

Good times are on the horizon! I am absolutely delighted to be participating in the UWC Unlocked Community Village Meeting Talks twice over the next few days. I am looking forward to reflecting on my first few months, answering several questions from our community, and sharing some hopes for our journey ahead. After all, a community that speaks together, stays together, right? I might have made that up, but it encapsulates my anticipation for the Talks. I hope that many of you are able to join.

With love, respect, and admiration for all you continue to do for the UWC movement. May peace prevail in the world. 

 

Faith Abiodun
Executive Director, UWC International

With global events making us reflect more than ever on the need for peace in the world, it’s been heartening to receive stories from students and alums telling us about how their UWC experiences have helped them overcome preconceptions and forge friendships across cultural, religious and historical divides. Take a look at our recent posts on Instagram and Facebook where we’ve shared some of these inspiring stories. Following UWC’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, we are keen to make sure that we talk more about peace as the core of the UWC mission. If you have any other stories to share (big or small), please let us know.

A warm welcome to the community to the new Principal of UWC Changshu China, Simon Head. Simon has nearly 30 years of experience in teaching at leading international and IB World Schools in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and China. We also welcome two new Chairs of UWC school boards: Sibongile Gumbi, who was nominated as Chair of Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa’s Board in November. Sibongile already has strong connections with UWC, having attended Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA (1984-1986) and Pearson College UWC (1989-1991). Her background in pharmacology has led to an interesting career in the field of biosciences. And also Angelique Paulussen, a parent of a UWC Maastricht alumna, who took up the position as Chair of the School Board in January. Angelique has a background in life sciences, tech and consumer industries.

We’re delighted to have been one of the anchor partners for Rise since its inception, and you may remember that 10 of the 2021 Rise Global Winners were part of the UWC community. Selected from tens of thousands of applicants, these young people will now have access to lifelong benefits, including generous scholarships, mentorships, and funding and career development opportunities to help scale their sphere of impact in the world. Our interview with Rise’s Executive Director, Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, shows how deeply aligned Rise is with the values and mission of UWC.

Visit uwc.org/jobs for current opportunities, including:

• Multiple Teaching Opportunities, UWC Changshu China (Changshu, China)
• Director of Performing Arts, UWC Adriatic (Duino, Italy)
• Activity and Events Operative x 2 posts, UWC Atlantic (Wales, UK)
• IB DP English Teacher, UWC Dilijan (Dilijan, Armenia)
• IB DP Mathematics Instructor, UWC USA (Montezuma, New Mexico)

The UWC Community Village Meetings are back, and we’re kicking things off with two opportunities to meet and speak with the new Executive Director at UWC International, Faith Abiodun. The first is this coming Saturday, 26 February 2022 at 2pm UTC; and the second meeting will be on the following Thursday, 3 March 2022 at 2pm UTC.

Registration for both events is now live on the UWC Hub, where you also have the opportunity to submit questions for Faith ahead of the meeting. For longer format questions, please email: communications@uwcio.uwc.org. If you are a UWC student or alum, current or former staff member or volunteer and not on the UWC Hub yet, make sure to join today and register for the events - we hope to see as many of you there as possible!

This month marks the first-year anniversary of the founding of the Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ARDEI) committee of the UWC International Board! If you missed our special interview in November with the Co-Chairs Maria Ines Kavamura and Rod Jemison, and ARDEI committee member, Tamaisha Eytle, then please have a read here. After extending their research far and wide into UWC, the Committee has now concluded its discovery phase, and is moving towards the next phase. 

Designed as a safe space for UWCers to meet and interact, we are continuing to see tremendous growth in membership to the UWC Hub. This short video gives a great insight into the resources you’ll find there, including jobs, internships, mentorships, connections to other UWCers and access to the Hub Digest. All UWC events and registration links are featured on the UWC Hub, including the upcoming Unlocked Talks Community Village Meetings.