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Building Bridges Through Experience: UWC Educators at RCN

2025-01-31T08:56:30+01:00January 31st, 2025|

Between January 20th and 25th, 2025, UWC Red Cross Nordic, in collaboration with the Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding, hosted an international professional development training course for UWC educators from across the movement. This initiative was inspired by the shared history and educational values of UWC and Outward Bound, both deeply committed to experiential learning and peacebuilding.

Educators from seven UWC schools—UWC Adriatic, UWC Robert Bosch College, UWC Changshu China, UWC Dilijan, Li Po Chun UWC of Hong Kong, UWC Mostar, and UWC Red Cross Nordic—joined the training, alongside representatives from UWC International and the affiliated organization Seeds of Peace. The trainer team brought expertise from The Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding, Outward Bound International, and Penn State University.

This unique training focused on Experiential Peacebuilding, a methodology that aligns with the UWC mission and fosters community-building, trust, and conflict resolution. As the kick-off event for UWC RCN’s 30th anniversary celebrations, this training set the stage for a year of meaningful initiatives. Looking ahead, we hope to establish this as an annual event, continuing to equip educators with practical tools to integrate peacebuilding practices into their daily work.

At the heart of Experiential Peacebuilding lies the belief that peace is built from the inside out and from the bottom up. Participants explored peacebuilding through four interconnected relationships:

  • The Self
  • Self & Others
  • Self & Community
  • Self & Nature/Environment

Through theory, interactive exercises, and outdoor challenges, the course provided an immersive experience that placed participants in the role of both learner and leader.

The first two days were dedicated to peacebuilding and experiential learning theories, explored through engaging, hands-on activities. Then, on the second evening, the group prepared for an overnight winter expedition in Sogndal. For many, cross-country skiing and camping in sub-zero temperatures was an entirely new challenge—pushing comfort zones, strengthening trust, and forging deep connections. By the time they returned to campus on Day 4, the participants had not only gained unforgettable experiences but had also built strong bonds with their peers.

The final two days focused on reflection and application. Participants analyzed their experiences, connected theories to real-world contexts, and planned how to bring Experiential Peacebuilding into their schools and communities. The closing session fostered collaborative discussions on future initiatives and next steps, ensuring that the impact of the training would extend far beyond the week itself.

With this training, UWC RCN continues to champion education as a force for peace, empowering educators to cultivate stronger, more connected communities—one experience at a time. We look forward to seeing this initiative grow and inspire future generations of UWC educators.

Latest News

UWC International Congress 2024

May 29th, 2024|

Education as a Force The 2024 UWC International Congress, held from 29 February to 2 March, marked a significant milestone in the history of our movement. This Congress, which was a culmination of [...]

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Natasha Lambert Appointed as New Rektor at UWC Red Cross Nordic from 1st August

2024-12-10T08:09:27+01:00December 10th, 2024|

We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new Rektor, Natasha Lambert, who will start in the position on 1st of August 2025. Following an extensive global selection process, Natasha’s appointment reflects her outstanding qualifications, deep understanding of UWC values, and vision for the college’s future.

Since joining UWC RCN in 2018, Natasha has served in pivotal leadership roles, including Director of Academics and Deputy Rektor, where she has played an integral part in the college’s development. Her background in education is remarkable: Natasha holds a prize-winning degree in Spanish and Philosophy from Christ Church, University of Oxford, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Birmingham. Fluent in Spanish and French—and learning Norwegian—Natasha brings a rich international perspective to her leadership.

Natasha’s approach to education emphasizes empathy and student-centered learning, inspiring students to become responsible global citizens. She is eager to lead the college’s dedicated team of 70 staff members and to strengthen RCN as a place where extraordinary learning happens.

“I care about preserving a diverse student body, about making sure that we can admit students on the basis of their potential, without regard for ability to pay. I care about ensuring that there is equal access to opportunities for students when they are here. I care very much that this should be an excellent place to work. I care about making sure that students can speak and disagree together and learn from each other, and that our classrooms continue to be the places where constructive disagreement and personal challenge can happen, under the guidance of our wonderful teachers. I care that our programs stay true to the mission, that our students experience friluftsliv and that they leave here committed to service and with the capacity to bring about change in the world.” – said Natasha.

We thank Pelham and Ulrike Lindfield Roberts for their unwavering dedication to RCN. Under Pelham’s leadership, the college has flourished, and his efforts to build a strong leadership team have paved the way for Natasha to step into this role. Natasha and her family are already valued members of Fjaler, and we look forward to the college’s continued success under her leadership. The whole UWC Red Cross Nordic community and our whole neighborhood welcome Natasha Lambert as Rektor.

Latest News

UWC International Congress 2024

May 29th, 2024|

Education as a Force The 2024 UWC International Congress, held from 29 February to 2 March, marked a significant milestone in the history of our movement. This Congress, which was a culmination of [...]

.

Go to News Archive

Melisa Gondo Chilimanzi, RCN ’12

2024-11-19T10:32:09+01:00November 19th, 2024|

Today, we’re thrilled to introduce Melisa Gondo Chilimanzi (RCN ’12), a recent contestant on The Great Australian Bake Off. Melisa’s journey to the Bake Off Shed has been a long and inspiring one, drawing flavours, ideas, and even her Viking-themed creations from her time at UWC Red Cross Nordic.

“Reflecting on my time at RCN and my baking journey,” she says, “so much of what I made on the show was inspired by the people I met and the flavours of Norway.” Melisa recalls how birthdays at RCN were celebrated by baking cakes in the dayrooms, often with her running to the local shop for brownie mix. “So much of it started in Flekke“.

After RCN, Melisa earned a business degree from the University of Pennsylvania and began a career in finance, first in New York City, and then in Sydney, Australia, where she has lived for seven years. “Finance is very structured,” she shares, “and baking has been my creative outlet.” Her baking passion grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, as she experimented with new recipes and shared them on social media. Encouraged by a friend, she auditioned for The Great Australian Bake Off—an experience that taught her new skills and fueled her drive to improve and try again. Two years later, she made it to the final 12.

During the competition, Melisa drew on memories from Norway and RCN for inspiration. In episode 4, Melisa baked a Viking ship using pepperkake, inspired by many nights in the day rooms and cantina eating pepperkake around Christmas. Her Viking ship biscuit vehicle, for example, was crafted with great historical detail, featuring wheels to replicate how Viking boats were rolled inland. “That was completely inspired by my time in Norway, and I’m proud I got to tell that story.” Her “Blåbær Scones” in episode 3 also paid tribute to Norway, blending blueberry jam—a flavour she first tasted in Flekke—with memories of the school’s knekkebrød and jam during Cookie breaks. And for a colourful cake challenge in episode 5, she created a Kente inspired Sarawak layer cake, inspired by fond memories of Daniel and Barbara and the Ghanaian Community that embraced her as family during her time at RCN.

Melisa’s baking passion has since evolved into her own business, Mondi. “Mondi,” derived from the word “zvimondimwi”, represents the delightful sweets she grew up enjoying. Currently a weekend side hustle, she hopes Mondi will one day grow into a cake studio or even a chocolate company, celebrating African heritage and crafting chocolates inspired by Africa’s vibrant flavours and rich cocoa tradition.

Reflecting on her The Great Australian Bake Off experience, Melisa admits that being filmed while baking was intimidating. “Suddenly, you’re in an unfamiliar kitchen with cameras on you,” she recalls. “I felt a responsibility representing my culture as a Black woman on TV, but it was about finding confidence within.” RCN, she says, helped her gain a deeper appreciation for her heritage, thanks to the pride her fellow students took in their own cultures. “When I got to RCN, I met all these other people, from many different cultures, who had so much pride in their own culture. This inspired me to learn about my own culture and have more pride in it. Being able to tell my story made me feel really proud! I would encourage everyone to explore and open themselves up beyond traditional boundaries. For me, during my time at RCN I just thought, I’m going to study, get a degree and build a career in finance. But now branching out, baking, trying to think outside of that box. And it’s been such an enriching experience learning many different skills. So I’d really, just really encourage everyone to just think outside of traditional career and life boxes and just be open to how life can shape up.”

Melisa’s message to the broader RCN community says “ I’d like to stay connected to the broader RCN community and I’d love for everyone to follow my instagram page: @mels_baketopia. “

If you would like to watch the episodes of The Great Australian Bake Off and see the incredible display of Melisa’s baking skills, please check this YouTube channel!

People of RCN

In People of UWCRCN you find stories of alumni or other members of our community. Here are the laterst.

Melisa Gondo Chilimanzi, RCN ’12

November 19th, 2024|

Today, we’re thrilled to introduce Melisa Gondo Chilimanzi (RCN '12), a recent contestant on The Great Australian Bake Off. Melisa’s journey to the Bake Off Shed has been [...]

Erick Bruckner Iriarte, RCN’21

August 27th, 2024|

Arriving at UWC Red Cross Nordic was a life-changing experience for me. At 16, with only a slight idea of how to speak English, I attended the school’s [...]

Giulio Giorgi, RCN ’03

June 28th, 2024|

Giulio Giorgi, a proud and talented alumnus of the United World Colleges Red Cross Nordic (UWC RCN), embraced the spirit of global citizenship and community service that defines [...]

Go to People of RCN Archive

Erick Bruckner Iriarte, RCN’21

2024-08-27T13:19:19+01:00August 27th, 2024|

Arriving at UWC Red Cross Nordic was a life-changing experience for me. At 16, with only a slight idea of how to speak English, I attended the school’s summer course to prepare for my two years at RCN. Once I arrived, I kept thinking, ‘I can’t believe I am here,’ which marked the beginning of a wonderful experience at this institution.

During my second year at RCN, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and I had to return to Bolivia., with the uncertainty of not knowing if I would ever come back. This made me appreciate my first year at RCN even more, motivating me to fully embrace every learning opportunity at UWC. Once I returned to campus, I aimed to gain knowledge not only from textbooks but also from my classmates and teachers, who provided a truly supportive environment where I was able to grow as a person. When my graduation came, I realised I needed to apply the UWC values I learned in every aspect of my life.

After leaving RCN, I aimed to create UWC-like opportunities for myself and others. This led me to become the Vice-Chair of the UWC Bolivian National Committee. Inspired by my own experience, I started volunteering for the committee right after graduating from RCN. I began by reviewing applications and essays, and now I have been in charge of running our selection process, nominating students to their schools, and providing an orientation process so that they can fully embrace their UWC experience. I’ve also led our very own School Visits project, which, with financial help from the IO, allowed us to travel to remote, underrepresented parts of Bolivia to promote UWC and share such an amazing opportunity.

Volunteering for National Committees, the backbone of the UWC movement, is my way of giving back. Regardless of age or experience, everyone can contribute to the movement, it just takes a bit of dedication. Even in university or abroad, there are many virtual ways to offer help to your NCs. As a UWC graduate, you know what it takes to make the most of the experience and how to prepare. Volunteering has also given me numerous benefits, including skill development and networking across the globe, which have helped me boost my professional readiness for the future. Despite the hard work at my NC, this quote by Faith Abiodun keeps inspiring me to give my best: “There is always someone working for UWC, at each minute of each day, someone is working to improve and better UWC.”

Another part of my life in which I tried to implement the UWC values was my higher education. At Case Western Reserve University, I noticed that many UWC students weren’t connected, and many local students didn’t know about UWC. So, along with some friends, I founded a UWC Student Organization as an attempt to support international students and promote UWC values. Our organization shares global perspectives with the local community, creates safe spaces, organizes gatherings, and plans projects that impact both locally and globally. It’s challenging, but we always try our best to promote our mission at the university.

My message to UWC students, alumni, and friends is that the UWC experience never ends. Connect with people, reflect on your experiences, and think about what has inspired and transformed you. Help more people connect with UWC. Use your knowledge and skills to give back to your community. Whether through donations or volunteering, your contributions make a difference, and they allow us to keep making a difference through UWC.

People of RCN

In People of UWCRCN you find stories of alumni or other members of our community. Here are the laterst.

Melisa Gondo Chilimanzi, RCN ’12

November 19th, 2024|

Today, we’re thrilled to introduce Melisa Gondo Chilimanzi (RCN '12), a recent contestant on The Great Australian Bake Off. Melisa’s journey to the Bake Off Shed has been [...]

Erick Bruckner Iriarte, RCN’21

August 27th, 2024|

Arriving at UWC Red Cross Nordic was a life-changing experience for me. At 16, with only a slight idea of how to speak English, I attended the school’s [...]

Giulio Giorgi, RCN ’03

June 28th, 2024|

Giulio Giorgi, a proud and talented alumnus of the United World Colleges Red Cross Nordic (UWC RCN), embraced the spirit of global citizenship and community service that defines [...]

Go to People of RCN Archive

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