Weeks of Discovery: Special Weeks at UWC Red Cross Nordic

2024-03-08T10:25:06+01:00March 8th, 2024|

At Red Cross Nordic UWC, learning is a holistic journey. Students embark on enriching experiences that spark their interests, develop their abilities, and forge meaningful connections.  For two weeks in February experiential learning takes over the Campus: second-years are preparing for upcoming exams through practice tests, while first-years have been enjoying a snowy adventure on skis, gaining valuable first-aid skills, and taking part in a mock Model UN conference.

Mock Exams: Practice Makes Perfect

The mock exams leading up to the May IB exams are like a dress rehearsal for the big performance. By taking these practice tests, students gain valuable experience with the exam format and identify topics requiring further study. Mock exam scores also factor into year-end grades, so treating them seriously and using them as a learning tool is essential.

Trading Textbooks for Snow: Friluftsveka

While mock exams occupied the second years, first-year students embraced the Nordic winter wonderland during their annual ski adventure, or “friluftsveka.” This week-long immersion in Stryn saw them carving through snowy slopes, crackling fires illuminating their evenings, and even braving an overnight stay under the stars. Stepping outside their comfort zones, they forged connections with nature and each other. Even for those new to skis, their spirit of adventure and resilience shone brightly throughout the week.

First Aid Course: Preparing for the Unexpected

The RCN First Aid Course equips all first-year students with the confidence to act in an emergency. This intensive 12-hour program is led by David Robertson, who not only teaches Biology and Chemistry but is also a certified member of the Norwegian Search and Rescue Corps and the RCN First Aid team who trained for a year! Based on the Norwegian Red Cross program, the course equips students with essential first-aid skills. Standout students can take their knowledge even further by joining the college’s first aid team. This elite group hones advanced techniques, learns wilderness first aid, and even has the opportunity to become instructors, sharing their expertise with future first-year students.

Global Citizens in Action: The RCN Model United Nations

The annual RCN Model UN is a special intellectual challenge, emotional engagement, and even a touch of physical demand – a unique experience that caters to diverse learning styles. Facilitated by passionate second-year students, the conference offers a wider array of committees than ever before. From the Security Council tackling modern issues to committees like Refugees, Drugs and Crimes, UN Women, the Economic and Social Council, and the World Health Organization, all offer opportunities to delve into pressing global matters.

The culminating General Assembly debate focused on a critical issue: “The promotion and protection of the rights of children in times of conflict”

The RCN Model UN is more than just a conference; it’s a springboard for developing global perspectives. Students research and debate current issues, hone their critical thinking and public speaking skills, and collaborate on solutions to complex problems. It’s a truly transformative experience for all involved.

Project-Based Learning Week: Learning Through Experiences

Following their mock exams, second-year students dived into Project-Based Learning Week. This week offers a platform for them to explore diverse interests and gain valuable skills. Some students took on leadership roles, facilitating the First Aid course and Model UN for the first-year students. Meanwhile, others pursue projects ranging from outdoor adventures like skiing and artistic expression to entrepreneurship. Through collaboration and skill development, Project-Based Learning Week fosters personal growth and strengthens the bonds within the RCN community.

Latest News

Oline Lykke Grand RCN’24

March 4th, 2024|

In these columns, we are introducing people: students, staff, former staff, and governance members of RCN. Today meet Oline Lykke Grand, our second year student from the Faroe Islands. Oline is passionate about human [...]

Nobel Peace Prize Celebrations in Oslo

December 13th, 2023|

This year the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all. We [...]

Oline Lykke Grand RCN’24

2024-03-04T12:13:29+01:00March 4th, 2024|

In these columns, we are introducing people: students, staff, former staff, and governance members of RCN. Today meet Oline Lykke Grand, our second year student from the Faroe Islands. Oline is passionate about human rights and humanitarian issues and as such she is one of the leaders of the Amnesty International youth group in our College. You can also see her to walk or run along the roads and she is part of the Interval training group since her arrival to RCN. These are traits that easily make her worthy of publishing a story about Oline but there is a special occasion we should mention: a book about human rights she wrote and published in Faroese.

“Until 2024, it has been almost impossible for the Faroese youth to find information about international and universal human rights in their own mother tongue, Faroese. It can create a distance to human rights when it is only possible to read about them in foreign languages and it is therefore paramount to give the Faroese youth the opportunity to read about their human rights in Faroese and in a Faroese context to enhance their understanding and ability to protect their own rights. My book, The Faroe Islands for Human Rights, therefore seeks to change this by explaining each article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the importance of the additional declarations on Women’s Rights, Children’s Rights and Rights for Persons with Disabilities as well as how climate change is affecting human rights. I am a huge believer in the power of education, and the book is therefore cost-free for students and teachers and comes with a teacher’s guide, showing how teachers can use the book as a part of the curriculum in the subjects Faroese and social studies. The teacher’s guide also includes different tasks that the student can solve through using the book. The aim of this book is to get the students engaged in the Faroese and international human rights discussion by enhancing their understanding of human rights.
At the beginning of my first year at UWC RCN, one of the older students made me aware of the organisation “The Changemaker Project”, which seeks to encourage young people to create their own projects. The goal of the course was to come up with our own projects, and I therefore started to work on my book, The Faroe Islands for Human Rights. I used free online platforms and started to write about human rights and created illustrations for the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the declaration on Women’s Rights, Children’s Rights and Rights for Persons with Disabilities as well as how climate change is affecting human rights. I pitched my idea at international crowdfunding events to get funding to copy and distribute the book. For example, in April 2023 I wrote a report to the organisation “GoMakeADifference x UWC Initiative” through which I gathered 1000$ to print my book.
Reflecting on the past one year and a half I have spent here at RCN, it is clear how this community has shaped the person I am today. Besides teaching me the value of learning from different perspectives and cultures, RCN has taught me to take initiative and believe in “the power of you”. As the co-leader of the school’s Amnesty group, I have experienced how our humanitarian activism can have a meaningful and paramount impact on our community in Flekke and beyond such as when we organised the very first pride parade ever in Dale, the neighbouring town. Furthermore, I am incredibly grateful for all the teachers at RCN who have taught me to think critically and speak my mind. This has encouraged me to take matters into my own hands and write my book, The Faroe Islands for Human Rights.”

Please flip through the this groundbreaking book by Oline Lykke Grand, a student of UWC Red Cross Nordic, fills a crucial gap for Faroese youth. For the first time, they can explore the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related declarations in their own language, making these fundamental rights more accessible and understandable. The book is accessible, offers engaging activities and a local context in Faroese languge with the help of eye-catching illustrations. The book is also available in hard copies.

You can hear Oline’s thoughts about her motivation and work in Asta Nuka’s podcast, the Point of View, on Spotify!

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

Jeanette Trang RCN’11

March 31st, 2023|

Meet Jeanette Trang, an exceptional alumna of Red Cross Nordic United World College, who has dedicated her life to protecting and advocating for the rights of children around the [...]

Anna Diagne Sène RCN’20

January 23rd, 2023|

We are proud of the impact Anna is making in her home country, Senegal and the world, and we believe her project is a testament to the power [...]

Nobel Peace Prize Celebrations in Oslo

2023-12-13T10:48:02+01:00December 13th, 2023|

This year the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all. We were honoured to be invited to take part in the celebrations taking place in Oslo in December every year, this year represented by Shahed (Palestine), Elinor (Germany/Serbia), Shari (Tibet), Maya (Morocco/Colombia), Norkis (Venezuela) accompanied by Leonora (Norway).

The ceremony is a highlight for everyone worldwide working for a more just and peaceful world. The empty chair at the front intended for Narges Mohammadi was a powerful reminder for all those who put their own needs aside to fight for a better world for all of us. Ms Mohammadi’s relentless effort over the last 20 years fighting for women’s rights has made her a symbol of freedom and a standard-bearer in the struggle against the Iranian theocracy. She herself has commented on her Peace Price as follows: “I will never stop striving for the realisation of democracy, freedom, and equality. Surely, the Nobel Peace Prize will make me more resilient, determined, hopeful and enthusiastic”

“Zan, Zendegi, Azadi”
“Women, Life, Freedom”

“With these words, we entered the Oslo Radhus, all of us mesmerised by the ginormous and decadent building in the center of Oslo. After coming in, we found ourselves in a hall full of faces unknown to most of us. But this shouldn’t be the case for too long, as we quickly found company, and conversed with many different people, about the world and the Nobel Peace Laureate 2023 Narges Mohammadi. Many had interesting stories to tell or anecdotes about their first time at the Nobel Peace Prize, and we felt welcomed immediately.

With the ring of a bell, we had to end our conversations and continue up the stairs to the Nobel Peace Prize hall, where we were seated, looking directly at the artworks created on the wall above. Feelings of nervousness and excitement rushed through us, as the Royal Family entered and the trumpets played. The Chair of the Norwegian Noble Peace Prize, Berit Reiss-Andersen, welcomed us to the Ceremony. It began with a moving song by an Iranian artist, that went close to the heart to all of us, with many in the audience shedding a tear.

The missing Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, incarcerated in Tehran, was missed firmly when her Son, Ali, and daughter, Kiana, whom Ms. Mohammadi has not seen in 7 years, received the Nobel Peace Prize in her name, and delivered an emotional rollercoaster of a speech, moving every single individual in the audience, including us.

Finishing off with a traditional Iranian song, accompanied by tableh (an eastern instrument often found in the Orient), The ceremony was completed.
We found ourselves questioning and wondering about the morality and unfairness of the world, wanting to see betterment in the situation, especially in Iran, but accompanied with the feelings of powerlessness, as we understood the magnitude of work that would be needed, and that Narges Mohammadi works on every single day of her life.”
Shahid, Elinor, Maya, Nokris, Shari

Peace Prize Forum

The Nobel Peace Prize Celebrations in Oslo also brought us to the Peace Prize Forum the following day with the theme, “Iran – burning for democracy”. It was a deeply moving and heavy experience with testimony about the injustice committed against women and children in Iran. At the same time, the forum showed an enormous fighting spirit and not only hope, but certainty that things will change for the Iranian people.

Nobel Peace Prize Exhibition

The celebrations concluded with the opening of the Nobel Peace Prize Exhibition named WOMAN – LIFE – FREEDOM opened by Narges Mohammadi`s family. Her children, Kiana and Ali, chanted ‘Zan, Zendegi, Azadi’ (Woman, Life, Freedom) as they opened the exhibition about their mother and the women fighting for freedom and human rights in Iran.

If she was present here, she would still be the voice of all prisoners. Narges always puts others before herself”, Narges Mohammadi’s husband Taghi Rahmani said on stage.

Also present at the exhibition opening was 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi who worked alongside Narges in the organisation Defenders of Human Rights Center.

Visits in Oslo

Combining participation at the Nobel Peace Celebrations with visits to the Norwegian Red Cross, the Parliament, the Peace and Research Institute of Oslo (PRIO) and making new friends with the London-based NGO, the Renaissance Foundation, the days have left us full of admiration, and we are grateful for new insights, new knowledge and for all new friends! As an educational institution with a clear mission to use education as a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future, participating in the Nobel Peace Celebrations gives inspiration for the work ahead.

Latest News

Oline Lykke Grand RCN’24

March 4th, 2024|

In these columns, we are introducing people: students, staff, former staff, and governance members of RCN. Today meet Oline Lykke Grand, our second year student from the Faroe Islands. Oline is passionate about human [...]

Nobel Peace Prize Celebrations in Oslo

December 13th, 2023|

This year the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all. We [...]

Finding Solutions for Real-Life Problems Collaboratively: G4 Project

2023-11-21T11:19:10+01:00November 21st, 2023|

This month, our Class of 2024 carried out their Group 4 projects. The Group 4 project is a highlight of the IB Diploma Programme because of four key features:
It involves science, which means developing skills in reviewing the literature, asking good questions, forming hypotheses, considering ethics, making observations, modeling, simulating and/or experimenting, evaluating and presenting. Collaboration is essential, from understanding the requirements to writing up. There is a clear opportunity to harness different elements of the IB Learner Profile: Communicators, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced and Reflective. It is uniquely ‘zero stakes’. By simply turning up and participating for the required 10 hours, students complete this essential part of the IB Diploma.
With founding teacher Chris Hamper taking a backseat after supporting this initiative for decades, Academic Programme Leader and Physics teacher Emma had the opportunity to rethink our approach, especially as the “Group 4 project” becomes the “Collaborative Sciences project” next year:
How could we move towards all students getting involved (perhaps even those with Environmental Systems and Societies as their only ‘Group 4’)?
What might work in November (a date that coincides with work experience for DP1-aged students across Norway, making it easier to have our DP2 students off-timetable)?
And how could we involve a wider pool of teachers, without requiring non-scientists to supervise risky experiments?
The answer to all of these questions came through a meeting with a local Research & Development organisation called Akvahub, which has always been a friend of the College. Akvahub exists to help aquaculture and other agriculture businesses within our region become more sustainable. The Group 4 Project asks students to collaborate in search of solutions. And, of course, we are a Nordic college with students from 80 nationalities. In short: the perfect partnership. Akvahub’s role was to generate a context brief for us: a ‘state of the nation’ report on the challenges faced by farmers. They put together six real-world challenges with entry-level information about opportunities and constraints. Our students provided the brainpower, working together with diverse and creative perspectives to propose responses to the challenge they have been allocated.

The challenges were:

– Maintaining excellent water quality and sustainable waste management

– Energy, cost and effectiveness of sludge collection

– Operating closed-containment aquaculture systems

– Disease outbreaks

– Selecting suitable sites for seaweed farming

– Scaling up seaweed cultivation

After a launch event, students worked in interdisciplinary teams on allocated tasks and had access to Akvahub representatives by email for any real-world questions. And, with our students never ceasing to amaze, we had our presentations just one week later – with an audience including a judging panel from Akvahub and Bue Salmon and students and teachers from across the college (not just the scientists!).

Trygve Hallberg at the sea tank of RCN, with Jelena Belamaric, former Teacher of Biology and students

Trygve Hallberg at the sea tank of RCN, with Jelena Belamaric, former Teacher of Biology and students

Our judges were hugely impressed by the quality of the work on show. Trygve Halberg, the Daily Leader of Akvahub shared his thoughts about the G4 project:

We really enjoyed the collaboration and are looking forward to continuing collaborating in the future. Solving current and future issues of food security, sustainability, energy and responsible and effective land area management is important for the whole world, and we believe that cross-border collaboration on business development, science and regulation is essential to solve these challenges.

The areas we chose were issues related to Norwegian aquaculture, but were also largely applicable to the whole world as the goals and problems are largely the same. The great thing about science is that it is universal, and thus a great tool for collaboration.

We hope that the future engaged citizens, business developers, researchers, politicians, and authorities around the world can benefit from learning and trying to solve our challenges here in Norway, and that we, in turn, can learn from what is happening in the rest of the world now and in the future. We believe projects like this could be a seed for future collaborations between countries, which is uplifting in a time of conflict and disagreement. These are complicated topics, that many only delve into at the university level, but that doesn’t seem to be an issue for your students!

We were really impressed with the level of all of the teams’ presentations, and so it is not easy to point out a single contribution. All participating students can be proud of their work. One presentation stood out in that it combined finding many solutions to the problem, with very clear and “straight to the point” communication. Group 9, that worked on the ‘Energy use and effective use of energy‘ case,  showed an understanding of the problems and solutions, and the underlying aspects like physics etc. which gave their arguments solid grounding. They pointed out the importance of tailoring the solutions to the farm and its surroundings, which is also an important aspect.

In short, our rekindled partnership has been a hit with our students and staff. Sometimes, international-mindedness starts just 45 minutes away! Congrats, and we look forward to the next project together with RCN!

Please read the winning presentation written by Andrea Marcelo, Enni Huttunen, Frida Knudsen-Kvernevik, Noah Flarup, Petra Poór, Sheryl Xue, Tempa Dorji.

Latest News

Oline Lykke Grand RCN’24

March 4th, 2024|

In these columns, we are introducing people: students, staff, former staff, and governance members of RCN. Today meet Oline Lykke Grand, our second year student from the Faroe Islands. Oline is passionate about human [...]

Nobel Peace Prize Celebrations in Oslo

December 13th, 2023|

This year the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all. We [...]

Go to Top