The History of UWC

United World Colleges had its origins in the late 1950s in the ideas of the renowned German educationalist Kurt Hahn, founder of Salem School in Germany, Gordonstoun School in Scotland and the Outward Bound Trust.

Kurt Hahn had been invited to address a NATO Defence College where he saw former enemies from several nations working together towards a common goal. With a number of colleagues— several themselves military officers— Hahn realised how much more could be done to overcome the hostility of the Cold War if young people from different nations could be brought together in a similar way. He envisaged a college for students aged 16 to 18 who were already grounded in their own cultures but impressionable enough to learn from others. Drawn from all nations, the students would be selected purely on merit and potential, regardless of race, religion, nationality, background or financial means.

The UWC philosophy

The first school, Atlantic College, opened in 1962 in South Wales with 56 students. It developped rapidly and in 1967 Lord Mountbatten became chairman. He set himself the target to enlarge the international dimension of UWC and envisaged a new movement with several Colleges.

In 1971 the second College opened: United World College of South East Asia in Singapore. A further College followed in 1974: former Canadian Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner Lester Pearson had dreamed of establishing an institution like Atlantic College in Canada and it was fitting that the Lester B Pearson United World College of the Pacific became Canada's living memorial to its much-respected leader.

In 1978 Lord Mountbatten was succeeded by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales as chairman of United World Colleges. In rapid succession 5 new schools were establihed: in 1981 Waterford KaHmlaba College in Swaziland. In 1982 Armand Hammer United World College of the American West in New Mexico and United World College of the Adriatic in Duino opened. In 1988 Simon Bolivar United World College of Agriculture became member of the United World College Movement. In 1992 United World College in Hong Kong opened, the Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong. In 1995 the Red Cross Nordic United World College was added to the UWC family. In 1997 the Mahindra United World College of India opened her doors for the first students in India. In 2006 two new schools will be opened: United World College of Costa Rica aswell as United World College of Bosnië.

Now, after 44 years, the United World Colleges Movement has 12 schoold. Several worldwide new initiatives are investigated. In the Netherlands the opportunity to open up a school in Mastrichtis seriously studied (see also www.uwcmaastricht.nl)

In all the years since Atlantic College opened, more than 27,000 students from 176 countries have attended the United World Colleges. Every year 1300 students are challenged by the UWC Philosophy. In the Netherlands we can count on over 500 alumni.