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.

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UWC International Congress 2024

2024-05-29T13:27:12+01:00May 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 the UWC’s 60th anniversary celebrations, adopted a hybrid format, bringing together over 400 participants at our school in Phuket, UWC Thailand, while also connecting with numerous others virtually worldwide.

Under the banner of “Education as a Force,” derived from our mission to harness education as a catalyst for peace and sustainability, the Congress delivered inspiration to all. The event created dynamic discussions, fostered collaboration and paved the way for transformative initiatives across our global UWC community and beyond. Through a series of pre-Congress workshops and plenary sessions spanning from September 2023 to February 2024, followed by both in-person and virtual sessions at our first truly hybrid UWC International Congress, the UWC community came together in our commitment to drive change.

From UWC Red Cross Nordic A delegation of 9 attended the event, among them two students, Leslie Noelle Ndikumana and Tenzin Norbu Lama. This is how Leslie remembers the fantastic event:

“The UWC Congress is an event happening once every six years, this year it took place on 29 February – 2 March 2024 in Phuket, Thailand. The event celebrated the UWC movement’s 60th anniversary as well as brought together students, alumni, staff, donors, NC members, and more in discussing the future of education and re-aligning UWC’s educational model to the greatest needs of our time. Through a combination of keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops and impact talks, we will re-energised UWC’s mission to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. The key sessions of the Congress were divided into 5 different tracks: Curriculum, teaching and learning, Admissions, Wellbeing, Financial sustainability, and Educational leadership and partnership. Outside of the 3 days with key and plenary sessions, we also had Student delegate time and a Gala dinner at the end for everyone.

My personal experience with it was great, I got to meet different people, RCN alumni, directors, politicians, and even more inspiring people from all the different UWC schools. It’s crazy to think about how many there are. I think my favorite part about it all had to be visiting another campus and meeting other fellow student delegates, chosen to represent their schools. We all managed to plan and execute a great project we’re hoping will last until the next congress. I genuinely made lifelong friends and memories in those 4 days, it was an amazing experience that I’ll never forget.”

We would like to thank the organizers and hosts, UWC Internation and UWC Thailand, for these inspiring and impactful days!

Photos: Tenzin Norbu Lama

Graduation 2024

2024-05-29T10:30:10+01:00May 29th, 2024|

Dear Graduates,

Your time at RCN has left a lasting mark on our community, weaving your unique stories into the very fabric of our school. Your classmates, roommates, friends, and teachers helped you become who you are now. Don’t forget them!
Whether you go on to become doctors, parents, carpenters, lawyers, activists, artists, politicians, scientists, architects, or friends, know that you are shaping the future as global citizens. Your contributions have already made a difference, and your future endeavors will continue to inspire and impact those around you.
We are proud of the young adults you’ve become during the two years you spent with us and excited for the incredible paths ahead of you. Keep dreaming, keep making positive change, and always carry the UWC spirit with you.
Thank you for sharing two unforgettable years with us; congratulations and best wishes for a bright and successful future!

Dear parents, friends, families,

Our heartfelt thanks go to you, who have supported these students throughout their transformative journey. Whether joining us in person or virtually for this bittersweet celebration, your encouragement has been game-changing in their growth and success. Your love and guidance have made a world of difference.

We are deeply grateful to our staff members who dedicated themselves to teaching and supporting our students and who attended the graduation to cheer for the Class of 2024. Our sincere appreciation goes to our speakers, Anne Bergh, General Secretary General of the Norwegian Red Cross; Leif Jarle Espedal, Mayor of Fjaler Kommune; and Elizabeth Sellvold, Chair of our Board, for addressing the graduates. We also thank all our special guests for joining us on this beautiful day:

Synnøve Sande, Norwegian Red Cross
Dag Hovland, Norwegian Red Cross
Anja Vardan Canales, Norwegian Red Cross
Jens Petersen, Deputy Chair of the Board
Lone Petersen
Gro Fivelsdal, Rektor of Dale Vidaregåande Skule
Linnea Steinveg, UWC Norway
Thor Erlend Mehammer, Norwegian Red Cross
Margrethe Skåden, Norwegian Red Cross
Norvall Nøringset, Norwegian Red Cross
Inger Johanne Osland, CEO of Red Cross Haugland Rehabilitation Centre

Photos: Felix Klevnäs, Ana Pol Mayoral, Sofiia Halushka

UWC Red Cross Nordic collaborating with the Nobel Peace Centre

2024-04-19T09:35:50+01:00April 19th, 2024|

On Wednesday 3rd April 7 of our students visited the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo for an action packed day of workshops that culminated in a panel discussion. Amalia (Norway), Asta (Denmark), Maya (Morocco), Mubashra (Pakistan), Rofayda (Egypt), Ryan (China) and Shahed (Palestine) worked together  to put on three workshops for upper secondary school students  from Oslo around the prompt “What are you willing to sacrifice for a cause you believe in?”.

In the evening, we were invited to host a panel discussion as part of the Nobel Peace Talks series. The Nobel Peace Talks events aim to highlight topics that are relevant to the current Nobel Peace Prize winner, Narges Mohammadi, a women’s rights activist from Iran who was awarded the prize in December 2023. We chose to host a panel titled The Power of Youth Activism which involved a discussion of what it means to be a young person involved in activism, both in

 Norway and around the world. Second year student Shahed Zahaykeh was joined on stage by Marianne Dahl, who works on non-violent activism at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and Norwegian climate activist and UNICEF ambassador Penelope Lea. The panel discussion was moderated by second year student Asta Nuka Fruelund Gabriel. A recording of the panel session is available to watch below.

This was a fantastic learning experience for our students and we were pleased that the events gave us a chance to reconnect with alumni and partners in Oslo, as well as to meet new friends. We want to extend a special thank you to the Nobel Peace Centre for partnering with us to make this event happen and we are excited about the opportunity for more collaborations in the future.

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