Welcome to the
November UWC Newsletter

Dear friends of UWC, 

a newsletter like this edition does not need much of an introduction, since most topics featured could easily have become a "breaking news" item:

• We welcome the new incoming Chair of the UWC International Board Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro;
• The UWC International Board passes three new projects for UWC schools or colleges into the next stage of the rigorous approval process. If they become a reality, UWC will become stronger in parts of the world where it is still far too little represented: South America, the Middle East and Africa;
• For the first time, a current UWC student leads an official UWCx Initiative, demonstrating how UWC community members make an impact;
• The King and Queen of Norway visit UWC Changshu China, writing the next chapter in a fairytale-like “from one scholarship to changing thousands of lives” story, and;
• We continue to stand together behind Amaya Coppens and demand her fair treatment in Nicaragua in line with the rule of law.

Just a few days ago, the annual UWC governance meetings which brought together representatives from across the entire UWC movement were hosted by UWC Dilijan College in Armenia. During one week of joint meetings, we learned from each other, challenged each other, agreed and disagreed, shared experiences, tackled difficult issues, exchanged information, listened to each other and each read through approximately 500 pages of preparatory material -- all with a goal to make the UWC movement even stronger going forward.

My personal highlight was a robust and difficult discussion held by the participants of the meeting of the UWC national committees of the MENA (Middle East and Northern Africa) region. People disagreed passionately, defended strongly opposing arguments, laughed and shed tears showing how deeply they felt about the subject. And yet -- people listened. People gave each other space to reflect and understand. People respected one another. A conversation which seemed impossible in light of dramatic differences of opinion suddenly became a learning opportunity, a space to step into another’s shoes. In that moment, I thought: “If that is what UWC teaches its students, staff, volunteers and alums, then we must be doing something right - and this is all worth it.”

Exciting times and many new beginnings lie ahead. And none of it would be possible without the dedication and commitment of so many dedicated members of the UWC movement. From the bottom of our hearts: Thank you!

With warmest UWC wishes from London,
Hannah
Director of Communications and Engagement, UWC International

In this newsletter:

• Welcoming Musimbi Kanyoro: New UWC International Board Chair
• New UWC School and College Projects
• UWC International Releases Annual Review 2017
• UWC Impact Stories: Medicine
• Meet the UWC National Committees: UWC Yemen
• Mouthful, a UWCx Initiative, Spreads to 11 Cities
• UWC Changshu China Receives Royal Visitors
• UWC Patron Shelby Davis in Eswatini and Mauritius
• UWC Educators Making an Impact
• Update on #FreeAmaya
• Work With UWC!

We are very excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro as Chair of the UWC International Board! Dr. Kanyoro will take over in 2019 from Sir John Daniel, who has served in the role since 2013. To learn more about Dr. Kanyoro and her journey to UWC, read about her appointment here.  

The UWC movement continues to attract proposals from across the world for new UWC schools or colleges to be opened. The most recent proposals put forward to the Board have come from Colombia, Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates. Opening new UWC schools or colleges in those countries would increase UWC’s representation in the Arabic speaking world and the Southern Hemisphere considerably. All proposals for new UWC schools or colleges are considered by the UWC International Board in a three-step approval process and against the “General Principles and Criteria for New School and Colleges”.

Want a “big picture” look at the UWC movement? Check out the first-ever UWC International Annual Review for 2017!
Inside, you'll find profiles of changemaking students, initiatives and alumni - and get an inside look at the biggest UWC news in 2017, including a feature interview with UWC's Executive Director about the UWC Strategy: 2018 and Beyond. Take a look (and stay tuned for the 2018 edition) here.

Many UWC members - students, alumni, teachers, volunteers, parents, and more - are living the UWC mission for peace and sustainability in their daily life around the world. Among them are many doctors and others working in the life-saving field of medicine, which has inspired our latest topic for stories about UWCers making an impact. Waruiru Mburu (UWC South East Asia, 2007-2009), who is currently pursuing a PhD in Cancer Epidemiology, has focused her career on strengthening healthcare systems and reducing health care access inequalities. Dr. Luca Fricke (UWC Adriatic, 2002-2004) now works in a pediatric hospital and has dedicated much of his life to emergency relief work. Read about their experiences and look out for more inspiring stories to come! You can also let us know if you or a fellow UWC student or alum is making waves in the field of health and medicine by writing to communications@uwcio.uwc.org.

 

Created by current UWC student Luc (USA, UWC Maastricht 2017-19), Mouthful.org is a non-profit organisation which brings high-achieving young people from underserved backgrounds with global influencers and entrepreneurs. Through sharing a meal together, groups of students and high-level professional “guests” gain insight into how to address the world’s most pressing issues. Mouthful dinners are set to take place in 11 cities worldwide by 2019. Having recently joined the network of UWCx Initiatives, Mouthful is looking for more UWCers to get involved, whether as organisers or as guests - visit their website for more.

Read our coverage of the Norwegian King and Queen's visit to UWC Changshu China last week: and learn how the gift of one single UWC scholarship in China 20 years ago has led to the first UWC college being founded on the mainland of China, educating hundreds of young people from around the globe each year since 2015.

As Patron of the UWC movement, Shelby Davis (along with his wife Gale) has dedicated hundreds of hours and millions of dollars to provide access to education for thousands of UWC students and alumni around the world.   
In October, Shelby and Gale visited Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa, where they caught a glimpse of student life and where members of the UWC community had the chance to thank them for their wonderful philanthropy. Read about their exciting trip here.
Shelby and Gale were subsequently welcomed in Mauritius by UWC International Council member Yamal Matabudul and the rest of the UWC Mauritius National Committee. “Just being around [Shelby] and witnessing first-hand how someone who has achieved so much and beyond can stay down to earth, humble and genuine is a lesson for life,” says Yamal. “Shelby makes us want to be better and to contribute more. Hardly have we ever met such a fan of UWC!”

We often hear about how UWC students and alumni are changing the world (see, for example, the story of UWC Mahindra College alumna Josephine Liang, the “Robin Hood of baked goods” here). But educators and staff at UWC schools and colleges are changemakers too! Niki Tippins, Head of Tennis at UWCSEA Dover, was recently featured by the Women’s Tennis Association for her work teaching youth with special needs how to play tennis - and for engaging her students at UWCSEA in this important work.  

On 10 October, Amaya Coppens (Li Po Chun UWC, 2012-2014) was presented to court and the judge denied all the requests of the defence to move her case to another jurisdiction and to make her hearings accessible to the public. Amaya, who was detained by police forces in Nicaragua on 10 September under the accusation of conducting terrorist acts and arson, will have her next court date on 10 December and will remain in prison until then. Individuals across the UWC movement continue to mobilise, raising awareness about this situation as it unfolds in Nicaragua. Here is the Free Amaya Coppens Facebook page created by Amaya’s friends.

Looking for an opportunity to get involved with international values-based education? Apply to work with UWC! There are several open positions across the UWC movement - visit our website today for current opportunities, including: