In the two weeks, all of the UWC schools and colleges – with the exception of UWC Waterford Kamhlaba that traditionally follows a calendar ending in November – celebrated their 2016 Class of graduates with moving and beautiful Closing Ceremonies.

Smiles, tears and hugs were leitmotivs in all these celebrations which represent for the students end of the last two years of high school under the IB Diploma, but especially a goodbye after two years of the rigorous and challenging UWC programme made of academic challenges, experiential learning, outdoor activities and a deep involvement within the local community.

But graduation is not just a time to say goodbye: it is also a time to celebrate the values that lie at the heart of the ‪UWC movement and to encourage all graduating students to become active citizens contribution towards a more peaceful and sustainable future.

It is with this spirit in mind – a spirit of new beginning, rather than of end – that many of the Heads of colleges said goodbye to their (ex) students, inviting them to bring the UWC values into their further education, careers and life. Laurence Nodder, Head of UWC Robert Bosch College, which just came to the end of its first two-year cycle, said:

“Like our former Honorary President Nelson Mandela, I believe that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. It is a slow process and one person (or maybe 103 people) at a time, but it is the most powerful process that I know. I believe in growing student responsibility, growing autonomy and personal sense making. Naturally this has to find expression within the social and regulatory environment of the host country. But I am growing in my conviction that this needs to be a cornerstone of an educational approach for this age group. In my view such an approach also provides a protection against indoctrination. I believe in tolerance, that tolerance is enhanced through personal relationships across divides. I believe that our experience of our humanity is enhanced, not diminished, by our diversity. I also believe that tolerance should not and must not replace the quest for social justice and the quest for a sustainable future. Finally, I believe in building a coalition of people willing to remain in dialogue even when we deeply disagree, a coalition of people willing to share in increasing proximity our planet earth – as a necessary counter to the forces of intolerance and extremism”.

You can watch Laurence’s full speech at min 32:57 of the Closing Ceremony video.

While here are some of the words of Richard Lamont, Head of UWC Red Cross Nordic, with which he addressed his 2016 graduates:

“We hope that here at RCN we have contributed to educating your minds and your hearts – and encouraged you, at all times, to be kind to others and to tread thoughtfully in pursuit of your own dreams and to tread carefully in the territory of other people’s dreams. Living our daily lives by the values of UWC in a deliberately diverse community is invigorating but also undoubtedly challenging – genuine understanding and wholehearted subscription are not immediate. These are values to be experienced, to be tested and, we hope, to be respected and treasured in the years ahead. It has been our responsibility as staff here at RCN to accompany you on your journey so far - not as your friends but as your guides, charged by your families and National Committees to help steer you to this day. A good teacher, a good guide is one who makes himself or herself ‘progressively unnecessary’ [Thomas Carruthers]. This is undoubtedly an exciting time for our graduates, with new paths ahead, important challenges on the horizon. For all of you, in some sense, it is a journey into the unknown, into risk – towards life’s improbabilities. What you learn about yourself and your friends along the way is at the heart of the experience - and I am certain that the invaluable friendships forged here with fellow students will nourish you for many years to come”.

You can read Richard’s full speech here.

Another example comes from UWC Atlantic College, where the Principal John Walmsley said:

“A woman called Janet Galbraith said in 1986 that the two qualities that are most important to young people of today are hope and imagination. Hope to believe they can change the world they live in and imagination to find ways to do so. I hope you believe that you can change the world, whatever occupation you find yourself in. I hope that you will keep in contact with each other, particularly if you find yourself on opposite sides of a conflict or a divide. I hope you will fondly remember the fellowship of this place and the bond that held you together in good times and when things were more difficult. I know that you understand that it is this diverse, colourful, anarchic and empathetic bunch of students that make AC what it is”.

You can watch John’s full speech at min 1:07:37 of the Closing Ceremony video.

For more videos and many pictures about the 2016 graduation celebrations, visit our Facebook Page (UWC) and Instagram Profile (uwc_io).