October 2022 marks a special milestone for UWC, as we come together to celebrate 60 years of educating for peace. Since its inception in 1962 at the height of the Cold War, UWC has championed education as a route to a more peaceful and sustainable future, inspiring young people from all walks of life to become agents of positive change. Beginning with the founding of one college, UWC Atlantic, UWC has grown into a thriving global community, which now includes 18 schools and colleges across four continents, hundreds of short courses, more than 4,000 volunteers, educators, partners, donors, students, staff, and more than 60,000 alumni. 

Our 60th anniversary is a chance for us to celebrate and honour the inspiring changemakers who have blazed new paths for education, giving our students the tools and experience needed to become future peacebuilders. And to reflect on the individual and collective steps taken, both big and small, which have furthered the cause of peace and sustainability in the world. 

As we look to the future, we must renew our focus on the power of education as a force to unite. Our mission inspires us to do everything within our influence to develop a global community of people who work together to make the world a better place for current and future generations. We will continue to do this by deliberately seeking deserving young people from all corners of the world, equipping them with the requisite skills, competencies and mindsets to make a tangible difference in the world, and connecting them to each other as well as other catalytic networks that will propel them forward on their changemaking journeys.

Our founder, Kurt Hahn, did not believe in preaching to or coercing young people, but instead encouraged positive action by instilling a service mindset with the reminder “you are needed”. In a world still blighted by war and conflict, this call to action is more relevant now than ever. 

Let’s Celebrate Together!

Under the overarching theme “EDUCATING FOR PEACE. Striving to change the world since 1962”, we kicked off our year-long celebrations with a LIVE event on Friday, 30 September. We’ve had an exciting line-up of speakers, including UWC’s President, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, and UWC International’s Executive Director, Faith Abiodun.

UWC’s 60th anniversary is also a wonderful opportunity for our community members to organise their own celebratory events. These can take place online or anywhere in the world until October 2023. Perhaps you want to organise an alumni dinner, an art auction, a fundraising marathon or set up some CAS projects. Whatever your inspiration, get help with bringing it to life by using our digital toolkit, complete with official logos and plenty of other promotional resources. Then don’t forget to let us know your plans so that we can add them to the map below! Let’s show the strength and global reach of the UWC community in celebrating this incredible milestone.