SANMUN 2017 in Sandefjord

2017-11-21T10:48:19+01:00November 21st, 2017|

On the weekend of 4th to 5th of November, a delegation of UWC RCN students attended the SANMUN (Sandefjord and Nesbru Model United Nations) Conference in Sandefjord. In this simulation, the following RCN students represented France in various committees: Ayanda (Cayman Islands), Brodi (Sweden), Hrafnhildur (Norway) and Htet Htet (Myanmar). On behalf of the team, Htet Htet shares this video for an impression of the conference and Hrafnhildur offers her reflections:

At 0500 in the morning Friday the 3rd of November we were four very tired second year students that were ready to go. We were going to Sandefjord Model United Nations, a MUN conference hosted around two hours outside Oslo by a Norwegian IB school. Even though we really appreciated getting fast food during our stop in Oslo, it was very nice to arrive in Sandefjord after a long day of travelling. We were placed with host families with students from the local school, and they were very welcoming and took great care of us. A big thanks to them for making us feel so at home! The conference started with some interesting guest speakers after which we moved into our respective committees. We were representing France in DISEC, UNEP, SOCHUM and UNHRC discussing topics ranging from clearing the oceans of trash, to immigration policies and nuclear disarmament. Even though the format was unfamiliar to all of us, we learned a lot from debating and discussing outside the safety and familiarity of UWC RCN. It was a great chance to interact with local Norwegian youth and to see another part of Norway. We had a great time, and at the end we had a General Assembly with all participants. The resolution that Brodi submitted passed, and Ayanda was awarded best speaker of UNEP. A great conclusion to the conference!

After the team returned to campus, the SANMUN director contacted UWC RCN to say, “…your students were superb!!! They did a wonderful job and they were role models to ours. We have a few of ours that are so inspired by your students that they would be interested to find out about possibilities to attend your MUN conference”.

Many thanks to Ayanda, Brodi, Hrafnhildur and Htet Htet for their great contributions!

Nordic National Committees

2017-11-20T15:27:12+01:00November 20th, 2017|

It was a pleasure to host the Nordic National Committees (representatives from Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Åland) on campus for their Annual General Meeting this weekend. Their itinerary included connecting with students, meeting for their AGM and with members of the Education Management Team and the Admissions Development Team, attending the Christmas lights event and the joint production of ‘The Paperbag Princess’ delivered by RCN and the Bergen National Opera.

We are looking forward to working together, following encouraging discussions, to launch a Nordic Short Course in 2018 – this would give us the opportunity to extend our UWC impact and to take advantage of our spectacular campus in the summer and facilities.

The Paper Bag Princess

2018-10-16T09:31:44+01:00November 20th, 2017|

The Paper Bag Princess

The Paper Bag Princess

Bergen National Opera and UWC Red Cross Nordic collaborated last week to perform ‘The Paper Bag Princess’, an opera based on Robert Munsch’s story of a kidnapped prince, a brave princess and a fierce dragon. A team of eight from the BNO arrived at the campus at lunchtime on Thursday 16th November and stepped straight into rehearsals with a group of 14 students (and one member of staff) representing 11 different countries. This was a wonderful opportunity for students – both on and back stage – to work alongside a professional director, chorus master and soloists and other members of the BNO team to deliver a performance where Händel meets Norwegian folk tunes in this magical story of a prince being kidnapped by a dragon, and a brave princess coming to the rescue.

The dress rehearsal on the afternoon of Saturday 18th November was open to RCN students. The final performance was held on Saturday evening and was played in front of a packed house in the Høegh. Staff families, members of our local community (both young and old), patients from the Red Cross Rehabilitation Centre with which we share a campus, representatives of the Nordic National Committees and many others came together to enjoy a highly enjoyable evening.

A café was run by Foundation Year students to raise awareness of the programme with all proceeds going towards this RCN access programme for students from underprivileged backgrounds.

Click here for the programme of ‘The Paper Bag Princess’.

Click here for an album of photographs (with many thanks to photographers Rodrigo Freitas and Elias Lont).

With huge thanks to the BNO team – and we look forward to working on future projects together.

Larry Lamont (Rektor) and Dan Silfwerin (staff member in charge of the production).

Rehabilitation Centre Project

2018-10-16T09:31:45+01:00November 20th, 2017|

Red Cross Haugland Rehabilitation Centre has started up a new programme for children who have overcome brain cancer. The group consists of eight children between the ages of 9-17 years old, who mostly have been through surgery and chemotherapy. The aim with the project is to handle everyday life after cancer treatment, prevent late effects and achieve better functioning physically, socially, and cognitively. Five of our students have been given the opportunity to assist with this two-week programme. In collaboration with staff from Haugland, they have tailored a plan of activities to accommodate the needs of all the children in the group. These have included everything from art projects to introductory karate sessions. The main focus has been to involve the children in activities that are fun and relating to what they can do back at home. Over the first week, there have been many smiles and much laughter. A rewarding experience for our students in a mutually enriching framework.

One of our participating students, Jesper (Denmark) wrote:

We are five students lucky to have been given a chance to assist Haugland Rehabilitation Center with their two-week programme for children who have fought, and beaten brain cancer. In collaboration with staff from Haugland, we tailored a plan of activities to accommodate the needs of all the children in the group. Our main priority has been to involve the children in activities that are both fun and ‘ordinary’. After all, they just want to be treated like normal children. Over the first week, we have smiled, and we have laughed. Hopefully, the children will stand at the end of the programme looking back on 14 days where they have bonded and rejoiced with everyone involved. As participants, we have indeed been reminded of the happiness that selfless aid brings. We express our sincere thanks to Haugland Rehabilitation Center for giving us this wonderful experience.

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