United World Colleges

UWC makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future (UWC mission statement).

United World Colleges (UWC) is unique. It is the only global educational movement that brings together students from all over the world - selected on personal merit, irrespective of race, religion, politics and the ability to pay - with the explicit aim of fostering peace and international understanding.

UWC was founded in 1962 and originated in the ideas of German educationalist Kurt Hahn. Hahn believed that much could be done to overcome hostility and conflict if young people from different nations, races and religions could be brought together to learn from each other. His intention was to educate the future leaders of Europe and maybe of the whole world. He has chosen the 16-19 year age-group, because he has seen them as the idealists.

Today there are thirteen United World Colleges, each with its own distinctive character, but sharing a common mission and values. In the turbulent world of the twenty-first century, these values are as relevant today as they were in 1962 - perhaps more so.

Please find the year of establishment in brackets.

• UWC of the Atlantic, Wales, United Kingdom (1962)
  http://www.atlanticcollege.org/
• UWC of South East Asia, Singapore (1971)
  http://www.uwcsea.uwc.org/
• Lester B. Pearson UWC of the Pacific, Canada (1974)
  http://www.pearsoncollege.ca/
• Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa, Swaziland (1981)
  http://www.waterford.sz/
• Armand Hammer UWC of the American West, New Mexico, USA (1982)
  http://www.uwc-usa.org/
• UWC of the Adriatic, Italy (1982)
  http://www.uwcad.it/
• Simon Bolivar UWC of Agriculture, Venezuela (1988)
  http://www.sbuwc.uwc.org/
• Li Po Chun UWC of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (1992)
  http://www.lpcuwc.uwc.org/
• Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway (1995)
  http://www.rcnuwc.no/
• Mahindra UWC of India, India (1997)
  http://www.muwci.net/
• UWC of Costa Rica, Costa Rica (2006)
  http://www.uwccr.com/
• UWC in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina (2006)
  http://uwc-ibo.org/
• UWC Maastricht, Hollandia (2009)
  http://www.uwc.nl/
  

  Presidents and Patrons of the UWC Movement
  
  Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, President
  
  Her Majesty Queen Noor became President of the United World Colleges in 1995. Since then she has visited many UWC Colleges and National Committees, attended UWC meetings and events and met with UWC students, graduates, staff and leaders throughout the world. Her Majesty's commitment to international understanding and in particular to peace-building initiatives is an inspirational example to members of the UWC international movement.
  
  Nelson Mandela, Honorary President

  Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as President of the United World Colleges International Council in 1995 and became Honorary President in 1999. Mr Mandela has a long and personal connection with the UWC movement since his children and grandchildren attended Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa . Through his life-long defense of freedom and justice, Nelson Mandela encapsulates many of the ideals which UWC strives to achieve and provides great inspiration for students and graduates.
  
  

  

  Please find more information on the UWC movement here.