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November 2019:
Time To Remember
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Dear friends of UWC,
October and November were months of mixed emotions at UWC. We rejoiced at the heartwarming opening ceremony of UWC East Africa in Tanzania, we were excited to watch the wonderful student teams competing in the final of Young Aurora at UWC Dilijan in Armenia and we celebrated together at UWC Atlantic in Wales at this year’s UWC International governance meetings. But we were also shocked by the news that Amaya Coppens (Li Po Chun UWC, 2012-2014) has been detained again. We were worried by the news we receive from Hong Kong (although impressed by how well the college community of Li Po Chun UWC handles the situation!) and concerned about what we hear from UWC alumna Lina Attalah in Egypt who is working to keep independent journalism alive under increasingly difficult circumstances. And we were deeply saddened by the passing of two big legends of UWC: David B. Sutcliffe and Colin Jenkins.
Many of us have crossed paths with David and Colin in their different roles throughout the last decades. As colleagues and teachers, as heads of school and as friends, as educators, as sources of inspiration and as role models - and especially as two highly committed and passionate members of the UWC movement. As much as we mourn their loss we are also filled with gratitude. Both of them have written UWC history.
One moment which moved me deeply this month happened at UWC Atlantic where all UWC International governance members - alongside many supporters and friends of UWC Atlantic from Wales and beyond - gathered for a festive evening in the wonderful Bradenstoke Hall. During the evening -- and after a long day of partly very heated meetings -- Edward Picton-Turbervill, music teacher at UWC Atlantic, invited everybody who felt like singing onto the stage. Just a few moments later we were all singing ‘Calon Lân’, a traditional Welsh song, together. (In Welsh! The present Welsh speakers were showing amazing grace and patience with our poor pronunciation). It was what you might call a “real UWC moment”. Members from across the globe, from different generations and points of view, with different roles and views of the world, were singing together. As my former music teacher from UWC Adriatic would say, “Music is harmony - singing together will make us happy”.
As we enter the festive season in many parts of the world, maybe we should remember this, especially when things feel difficult, challenging and sad: Let’s sing together more often!
In hope for a harmonious future - and with gratitude,
Hannah Tümpel
Deputy Executive Director at UWC International
UWC Adriatic (1996-1998)
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Saying Goodbye To Two UWC Legends
It is with great sadness, and even greater admiration and gratitude, that we say goodbye to two heroes of the UWC movement:
David B. Sutcliffe, who passed away on 11 November 2019, was a giant in the UWC movement. 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 founder of UWC Mostar. Andrew Maclehose’s and Henry Thomas’ tributes offer a wonderful glimpse into the many fundamental ways in which David shaped the UWC movement.
David’s funeral will take place at All Saints’ Church, 122-122A High Street, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 2HS on Friday, 29 November at 11.30 am. Family and friends are welcome. There will be a reception afterwards at The Tiger (church hall) next door. Family flowers only.
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 long experience of UWC, alongside his energy and commitment to every corner of the world of UWC. Keith Clark, the former Executive Director of UWC International, pays this beautiful tribute to him.
The funeral service will take place at 1:30pm, 30 November 2019 in the Bradenstoke Hall, UWC Atlantic, followed by the burial at St Donat’s Church. A reception will be held afterwards in the college library. The family have asked for no flowers. All are welcome.
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#FreeAmaya: Please Spread the Word
Amaya Coppens (Li Po Chun UWC, 2012-2014) is known as a social activist, in particular for her work as a volunteer for medical campaigns helping rural communities. Originally arrested on 10 September 2018 under suspicion of conducting terrorist activities and involvement in arson attempts, she was released on 11 June 2019. Amaya was arrested again on 14 November 2019 while bringing water to protesters inside a church in Nicaragua.
Once again, we call on the government and judicial system in Nicaragua to ensure the respect of the rule of law, human rights and the personal integrity of Amaya and others arrested during the protests in Nicaragua. Please help Amaya by sharing this news, to make sure we keep the attention on her case high. Please use the following hashtags on social media: #FreeAmayaCoppens #LiberezAmayaCoppens #LiberenaAmayaCoppens. If you are on Facebook, please use this profile frame to give visibility to Amaya's situation. And if you are taking actions to spread the word about Amaya’s situation, make sure to let us know.
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EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC
We are delighted to announce that the European Union (EU) is granting six full scholarships for Cypriot students to complete their final two years of high school at UWC Mostar in 2020. The EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC aims to contribute to building bridges of mutual understanding within Cyprus. If you are a Cypriot student - or if you know any - don't let this opportunity pass by! Applications close on 15 February. More information is available at www.cy.uwc.org.
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Welcoming UWC East Africa
On Friday 25 October, UWC East Africa celebrated becoming the 18th school to join the UWC movement with an official Opening Ceremony. You can read the words of Jens Waltermann, Executive Director of UWC International, from the day here, as he extended the warmest of welcomes to UWC East Africa and reflected on the significance of this next big step. Click here to see pictures from the Opening Ceremony. |
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Harvard UWC Impact Study
We extend a big thank you to all alums who filled in and shared the survey for the Harvard UWC Impact Study. 7676 UWC alums took part - possibly making this one of the biggest data samples and most comprehensive questionnaires ever collected on the educational experience of high school alums from one international educational institution. We now need to be patient as the Study continues into the next phases, before a final report is expected to be published in late 2021. Thank you again for the enthusiasm and help. As always: Together we can!
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Young Aurora 2019
In this third year of Young Aurora, student teams from UWC Atlantic, UWC East Africa and Pearson College UWC were selected to present their humanitarian projects to a jury composed of notable figures in the field of education and humanitarian work. All three teams presented their detailed research, hard work and passion to the final jury at UWC Dilijan. Congratulations UWC East Africa for winning the first prize of $4000 and for both runner up teams for winning $2000 each - we can’t wait to see how you will use the funds to further develop your projects! You can read more about the final stage of Young Aurora here. |
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November Governance Meetings
Early November saw the annual UWC International Governance meetings, bringing together the UWC International Council, the UWC International Board and all its committee members for a week of exchange, discussion and joint agenda setting.
The UWC International Council also voted on its next Vice-Chair, Charlotte Meyer (UWC-USA 2001 - 2003) and its incoming Chair (as of 1 January 2020), Quique Bassat (UWC Atlantic, 1991 - 1993). We wish both of them the best of luck for the tasks ahead and thank them for their dedication to the UWC movement!
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Davis-UWC IMPACT Challenge
Congratulations to Li Po Chun United World College and UWC Thailand for reaching their $1m goal in new donations and unlocking their remaining matching funds during this year’s Davis-UWC IMPACT Challenge. The Challenge started four years ago with the aim of encouraging UWC alumni and other supporters to take ownership of UWC’s future by becoming regular donors. The UWC movement still has just over USD $200,000 left to raise for UWC Mahindra College and UWC Red Cross Nordic, with both colleges entering the fifth year of the Challenge. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Challenge so far! Learn more, make a donation or send a note of thanks to Shelby Davis at: http://www.thanksamillionchallenge.org/.
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The Drive For Applications Continues!
Please continue spreading the word about UWC, so that no potential UWCer misses out on the chance to apply! You can find the above video here - please do share it. You can also find the list of national committee application deadlines here and the full list of upcoming Global Selection Programme (GSP) weekends here. The next two GSP weekends will be held in Bangkok (30 November - 1 December 2019) and Toronto (25-26 January 2020).
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2019 UWC Photo Contest
We invite all current UWC students, school and short course alums, staff and volunteers to take part in this year's UWC photo contest by submitting a photo from your life at UWC that relates to the 2019 UWC day theme: “Climate of Change”. Please submit your photo by 1 December for a chance to win and be featured on social media, the UWC website and our annual holiday cards. To enter, simply email a maximum of two photos to communications@uwcio.uwc.org, explaining how it relates to your interpretation of the theme. You can find the contest guidelines here. Please share widely - we can’t wait to see your wonderful work!
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The New and Improved UWC Hub!
We are delighted to share with you the new and improved UWC Hub! Join today to get back in touch with co-years, teachers, roommates and fellow short course alums, learn about new initiatives and job or volunteering opportunities, offer and receive mentoring on your studies and career, discover the new features available… and enter a welcoming and engaging space to share thoughts, ideas and experiences to spark discussions that will allow us all to further innovate the UWC experience together and drive our mission forward around the world. Sign up online or download the App on Google Play or the App Store.
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Work With UWC
Looking for an opportunity to get more involved with international values-based education? Apply to work with us. There are several open positions across the UWC movement - visit http://uwc.org/jobs today for current opportunities, including:
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