On 8 September 2017, at a festive gala in Legau, Germany, two UWC colleges were recognised for their commitment to education for sustainability. UWC Mahindra College in India and UWC Robert Bosch College in Germany were announced as co-recipients of the 2017 One World Award Grand Prix, earning a total prize of £15,000 for their environmental efforts. 

The One World Award is presented every three years by organic food producer Rapunzel Naturkost and IFOAM Organics International to recognize people and initiatives that have an outstanding impact on the international organic movement and its principles. Applying for the  prize was the initiative of three  UWC Robert Bosch students (Miriam Abel - Germany, Zachary Wakefield - USA, and John Michael Koffi - DRC) demonstrating the self-motivation and enthusiasm of UWC students. On the side of UWC Mahindra the student team was supported by two staff members (Ashwin Paranjpe and Ann Jyothis).   

UWC Mahindra and UWC Robert Bosch have both proven themselves to be bastions of sustainability and sound ecological practices, staying true to the mission of UWC to make education a force for peace and a sustainable future. At both UWC colleges, with the guidance of faculty and staff, students undertake various environmental initiatives. At UWC Robert Bosch, there are student groups in charge of garden maintenance and compost mushroom growth, for example, while at UWC Mahindra there is a large focus on water conservation and purification, solar energy, and the maintenance of an organic garden and campus biodiversity park to protect endangered species of flora and fauna. With their projects, the two UWC colleges represent the focus of all UWC school and colleges to make education a force for a more peaceful and sustainable world. 

UWC Mahindra College and UWC Robert Bosch College share this year’s Grand Prix award with the Indian Chief Minister of the Sikkim region in India, Mr. Shri Pawan Chamling. Mr. Chamling is well-known for his commitment to organic agriculture, having ensured the conversion of all farmland in Sikkim, a total of 76,000 hectares, to organic cultivation within just 12 years. Mr. Chamling, his delegation, and the One World Award team visited UWC Robert Bosch College on September 12, and were welcomed by a reception in the Freiburg town hall by the city’s Lord Mayor Dr. Dieter Salomon.

One World Award presentation video:

For press coverage on the One World Award see the below:

• One World Award by Rapunzel, “UNITED WORLD COLLEGES OWA GRAND PRIX WINNER 2017”
• Badische Zeitung, “Ein indischer Bio-Pionier zeigt Freiburg, wie es geht”
• Badische Zeitung, “Indische Ökopioniere am Kaiserstuhl”
• Freiburg empfing die Gewinner des One World Award Grand Prix - Oberbürgermeister Salomon begrüßte Indiens Ministerpräsident Shri Pawan Chamling und die United World Colleges - Freiburg und Pune teilen sich den Hauptpreis