United World Colleges

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

In 1963, Waterford was one of the first schools in Southern Africa to welcome students irrespective of race, religion or socio-economic background. Waterford Kamhlaba joined the United World Colleges (UWC) movement in 1981, having first been an associate member of UWC since 1978.

UWC is a movement of 18 colleges worldwide. The values at the core of the UWC are:

• International and intercultural understanding
• Celebration of difference
• Personal responsibility and integrity
• Mutual responsibility and respect
• Compassion and service
• Respect for the environment
• A sense of idealism
• Personal challenge
• Action and personal example

UWC schools, colleges and programmes offer a transformational experience for young people, enabling them to discover the possibility of change through courageous action, personal example and selfless leadership.

Waterford brought to UWC a deep conviction that social justice is integral to achieving a peaceful and sustainable future. Waterford shows that UWC’s mission to make ‘education a force for peace and a sustainable future’ is not simply about the impact of its graduates, but also about creating opportunity for those who otherwise would have little. Waterford also introduced to UWC its Honorary International President, the late Dr. Nelson Mandela, and UWC Patron, the late Lord Richard Attenborough.

The other schools in the UWC movement are:

• Li Po Chun UWC
• Pearson College UWC
• UWC Adriatic
• UWC Atlantic College
• UWC Changshu China
• UWC Costa Rica
• UWC Dilijan
• UWC East Africa
• UWC in Mostar
• UWC ISAK Japan
• UWC Maastricht
• UWC Mahindra College
• UWC Red Cross Nordic
• UWC Robert Bosch College
• UWC South East Asia
• UWC Thailand
• UWC-USA

UWC depends on the dedication and expertise of a network of volunteers to find, select, and support students promise who share the UWC ideals. These volunteer groups are called National Committees (NC) and operate in over 155 countries worldwide. UWC National Committee students join Waterford for the two-year IB programme.

Find more information at www.uwc.org