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).

Global Goals for Sustainable Development

Today, a conference took place at NORAD (Norway’s Agency for Development Cooperation) in Oslo in response to the release of the World Bank’s annual flagship publication, the ‘World Development Report 2018’ with the title ‘Learning to Realize Education’s Promise’. For the very first time in forty years, the report is dedicated to the education theme in its entirety with a distinct focus on learning.

Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide, the newly appointed (and first female) Minister of Foreign Affairs, opened the conference with the focus on ‘Learning in Crisis – what can we do about it?’

The World Development Report 2018 identifies that access to education is on the increase across the world but education can do much better on learning.

One of UWC RCN’s strategic priorities – as exhibited by our conference on inclusion in education on UWC Day – is to contribute to the education debate within Norway. We were delighted to send representation to this conference.

Speakers ranged from presenters from the World Bank to representatives from Norwegian organizations such as Save the Children and NORAD. Questions focused on implementation on the ground and the importance of recognition and inclusion of those with disabilities within an educational context.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs finished her key note speech with the following message in relation to the Strategic Development Goal no 4 on Education:

‘Give boys and girls the opportunity to shape their own futures.

Give boys and girls the opportunity to shape our futures.’

An important message for global education, the key actors in every country – and for us as a UWC as we seek to develop our contribution to create and sustain change through education.

Larry (Rektor) and Arne (Director of Development)