UWC Annual Report 2016

Dear UWC friends,
“My first year of active involvement in the UWC world was very inspiring.
For me it proved that we can make a positive difference in the world even with its
current climate of encouraging violence and disrespect, disharmony and falling
out of longstanding international partners. Therefore a personal highlight was
my participation during the UWC Congress in Trieste. Over 600 people, all with
a strong connection to UWC (heads of school, International Office, alumni,
board members and students) gathering to progress UWC into the next phase.
In the current global political climate UWC is standing out for its principles of
education for peace, for tolerance, for understanding of and respect for the
other. I was pleased to see in Trieste that UWC is very much alive, with more
schools and students than ever before, a forever growing group of alumni and
friends in many different organisations and places all over the world. Really
inspiring to see so much enthusiasm and determination to stand up, to make the
difference and to contribute to society.
2016 brought us more good things: meeting the UWC Davis Challenge to raise
USD 1 million in new donations, 21 enthusiastic and motivated students from
The Netherlands and the overseas regions, 24 new alumni, a successful UWC
summer xperience, new members of the Board of UWC the Netherlands and the
Pieter ter Kuile
Chair
UWC the Netherlands
Supervisory Board, and a new Director.
And internationally the opening of the
16th and 17th colleges in Thailand and
Japan. Together with the renewed and
refreshed ambitions of the UWC International
Office, this is a clear sign that UWC
is flourishing and that the UWC mission is
more alive and topical than ever.”
“United World Colleges illustrates that cultural differences do not necessarily
divide us, but can be an enrichment for us all. Students aged 16 to 18 years
from all around the world study together, undertake projects together and support
each other as they grow up towards adulthood and prepare themselves for
further education. They create friendships and bonds that make the world
a smaller, better and more connected place, and they aim for progress in a
respectful and peaceful way. This appealing set of values is an inspiration, shows
Jan Hommen
Chair
Supervisory Board
UWC the Netherlands
ambition and has convinced me to dedicate time and effort to UWC and
education for peace and impact.”
“What society needs in the 21st century is less
detailed skills, but the creativity to bring things
together - branches of knowledge, cultures,
national identities and views on life. UWC
brings the full range of youth experiences and
diversity, lacking in most official discussions,
to the table.”
Professor Robbert Dijkgraaf
Ambassador of UWC the Netherlands
and UWC Maastricht
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