Foyer of UWC Changshu
Last weekend, Barry and Veronica Drake, from our Hong Kong office, attended the ceremonial opening of the United World College (UWC) Changshu China.
The stunning purpose-built facility, situated on the picturesque Kuncheng Lake in Changshu, two hours out of Shanghai, is the 15th school to join the United World College group. The first United World College was founded in 1962 to help fulfill the educational vision of Kurt Hahn, who asserted,
"I regard it as the foremost task of education to ensure the survival of these qualities: an enterprising curiosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self-denial and above all, compassion."
Like all the others in the group UWC, Changshu China brings together, in a boarding environment, students from all over the world to study and learn from each other. Another firm advocate of the group's philosophy, Lester Pearson, said,
"How can there be peace without people understanding each other, and how can this be if they don't know each other?"
Dr. Barry Drake with Gumboot Dancers
The school actively pursues socio-economic, ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity through a robust scholarship program, which also accepts applications from students with physical challenges. Collectively, the UWCs form a unique global educational movement that brings together young people from all over the world, with the explicit aim of promoting peace and international understanding.
Among the foreign dignitaries at the opening were Her Majesty, Queen Noor of Jordan; President of the UWC movement, Sir John Daniel; Jill Longson, Chair; and Shelby Davies, Vice Chair of the UWC International Board; other major philanthropist supporters of the movement; and heads of many of the UWCs from around the world.
Senior Associate Barry Drake worked with the founding fathers of UWC Changshu, Jiapeng Mark Wang, Xiaohang Sumner, and Wang Yi, over a five-year period, to establish the first UWC in China. He was Senior Consultant and Interim Founding Head for the school.
To gain access to UWC Changshu's full profile on Search Associates, including all open positions, candidates can apply for membership by clicking here. Candidates already registered can easily access the school profile directly through their dashboard.
Please Note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information will change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.
