September 2008

UWC makes education

a force to unite

people, nations and

cultures for peace and

a sustainable future

• United World Colleges (UWC) brings students together

from all over the world, selected from within their own

country, on merit and regardless of their ability to pay

• UWC is enhances the teaching of a globally recognised

curriculum with the focus on educating the whole person

• UWC is a challenging experience that equips students

socially, academically, philosophically and morally so

that they are personally able to play an active role in the

pursuit of peaceful and sustainable future

What is United World Colleges?

• UWC was conceived in the aftermath of WWII

• Kurt Hahn, a German educationalist, developed the idea

of a multi-national pre-university school to help

overcome religious, cultural and racial misunderstanding

to avoid conflict

• 16 to 18 olds are well grounded in their own cultures but

also at a unique age when they are impressionable and

open to learn from and respect each others differences

• The first UWC – UWC of the Atlantic – opened in 1962

• Today there are 12 United World Colleges 5 continents

educating 3,000 16-18 year old students

UWC History

The UWC Experience

A rigorous academic programme

Where students are taught to think for themselves rather then learning by rote to pass exams.

A demanding social responsibility programme

Enables young people to learn about themselves and

to develop a sense of responsibility whilst engaging with and supporting their communities.

An intensive multi-cultural environment

Through living together students gain respect,

integrity and responsibility for self, others and

community

• The United World Colleges teach the International

Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

• The IB was pioneered at the first UWC, Atlantic College in

the 1970’s

• The IB is the most recognised and highly regarded

secondary school qualification in the world and, as such,

accepted by the world’s leading universities

• Simón Bolívar UWC of Agriculture offers a tertiary level

three-year agricultural education and training programme

UWC Academic Programme

• Each UWC tailors its programme to its the local environment

– students at UWC Atlantic operate lifeboat and cliff rescue

services along the South Wales coast

– Mahindra UWC students work with local village organisations to

alleviate some of the worst effects of poverty and illiteracy

– Waterford Kamhlaba students provide care programmes for those

affected by AIDS and HIV

• In addition to regular weekly activities, the Colleges

allocate at least one week each year for the students to

devise and implement an intensive service project

Social Responsibility Programme

Multi-Cultural Environment• At the UWC Colleges, an average of 70 different

nationalities are represented each academic year

• Embracing the cultures and nationalities present in each

College is a key feature of UWC life. Activities such as

music, crafts, arts, and drama help students to explore

and develop an international, inter-cultural appreciation

• Living on campus with such a diverse group of peers

creates an environment where values, preconceptions,

and prejudices are continuously questioned and tested

UWC Colleges•Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mostar

•Canada, Vancouver Island

•Costa Rica, Santa Ana

•China, Hong Kong SAR

•India, Pune District

•Italy, Duino,

•Norway, Fjaler

•Singapore

•Swaziland, Mbabane

•USA, Montezuma, NM

•Venezuela, Barinas

•Wales, Vale of Glamorgan

UWC Colleges

• UWC Maastricht

– First to go through the new rigorous approval process

– Open in September 2009, uniquely within Dutch education system

– Model similar to that of UWCSEA – kindergarten to IB2

• Proposals or expressions of interest received for:

– Kenya

– Tanzania

– New Zealand

– Spain

• Middle East

– Currently seeking funding for a feasibility study for a College in the

region

New Colleges

UWC Global Selection Network

UWC has National Committees in 122 countries

• Our Colleges delegate responsibility for student selection

to the National Committee system

• UWC National Committees, only exist through the

commitment and expertise of passionate local volunteers

• These volunteer based National Committees:

– Promote UWC

– School outreach to attract students to apply

– Manage the selection process

– Support the student and their family in preparation for UWC

– Support the national UWC Alumni network

– Local fundraising

UWC Global Selection Network

Every year 1,500 students

from over 120 countries

graduate from the 12

United World Colleges

UWC Students

10%

26%

14%14%

3%

8%

2%

23%

Africa

Asia

Central and Eastern Europe

Latin America and Caribbean

Middle East

North America

Pacific

Western Europe

• Students are selected on personal merit from over 120

countries

• In each country selection is irrespective of race, gender,

religion, politics and the ability to pay

• The UWC scholarship system creates schools that

represent all parts of the world and all aspects of society

• This diversity creates vibrant, enthusiastic and

stimulating communities

• UWC students are selected through a meticulous

process run by the UWC National Committee Network

UWC Students

UWC Graduates5%

27%

11%

4%10%

12%

15%

7%

9%

Arts

Business

education

Law

media

medicine

non profit

politics

science

UWC Governance and Organisation• UWC is governed by the International Board

– Representatives from all the 12 Colleges and leaders in

education, non-profit, business and finance

– Supported by its Presidents Queen Noor of Jordan and Nelson

Mandela and several other patrons

• The Colleges are autonomous in their own jurisdiction

and accountable to the International Board

• UWC is supported by the UWC International Office

– National Committee development and coordination

– Supporting new College initiatives

– Developing and coordinating international fundraising

– PR & Corporate communications

• Annual operating costs are US$70 million with the

average scholarship per student US$20,000 per annum

• College funding sources include:

– Endowments

– Government support

– Key donors – individuals, corporations, trusts and foundations

– College alumni

• National Committee funding sources include:

– Government support

– Key donors – individuals, corporations, trusts and foundations

– Means tested parental contribution

– National alumni

UWC Funding

UWC International Fundraising• Opportunity to leverage the unique global value of UWC

• Expansion of the international UWC fundraising function

to complement existing College & NC fundraising

• Build on the success of managing complex multi-year

private, corporate and foundation scholarships funds

• Attract global partners to align the world-wide impact and

recognition across the sponsoring and UWC organisation

• Engaging Lead Global Partners

Support for UWC can be structured in a variety of ways:

• Gender or ethnicity specific scholarships

– for example enabling more young women to attend a UWC

• Country or region specific scholarships

– for example enabling more students from a specific country or

region to attend a UWC

• College specific scholarships

– for example to support students to attend a UWC in a priority region

for Goldman Sachs to foster better relationships with these scholars

• Build capacity in education and community service

– for example by support the development of regional teacher

training, leveraging the resources of UWC

Investing in tomorrow’s leaders

Contact Details