As we celebrated UWC Day 2023 under the theme “Shaping a Sustainable Future,” we were honoured to welcome Her Majesty Queen Sonja, Queen of Norway, to our campus. Her visit not only marked a yearly celebration of the UWC values and mission but also gave us a chance to honor Her Majesty’s unwavering support and commitment to our values as our Patron for the past 28 years, since our opening.

Her Majesty, known for her warm and compassionate nature, spent quality time engaging with our students from various backgrounds and nationalities. She listened intently to their stories, dreams, and aspirations, promoting a sense of inclusivity and belonging. It was heartwarming to witness her genuine interest in the younger generation. The Queen’s ability to connect with our students left a permanent mark, inspiring them to strive for greatness and serve their communities with a compassionate heart.

Her Majesty’s visit reminded us about the importance of embracing diversity, rooted deeply in the UWC ethos that we aim to strengthen through our Educational Model introduced to Her Majesty by Pelham Lindfield Robert, Rektor, and Natasha Lambert, Deputy Rektor. At UWC Red Cross Nordic, we have a long tradition of valuing and including people from different backgrounds. The Queen’s visit highlighted that our differences should be appreciated and celebrated; they make our communities stronger. Her Majesty, treating everyone with kindness and respect taught us by example the true Nordic values.

As Valerie Yat Kiu Lam, a student from Hong Kong, said about the tea that she and her four fellow students spent in their dorm with H. M. Queen Sonja “Having tea with HM Queen Sonja was an unforgettable experience. She was incredibly welcoming and interested in what we were saying. We talked about why we applied to UWC, what we enjoyed, and what it’s like living in a room with people from different backgrounds. I’m really grateful for this opportunity, and I wish the Queen can visit campus again.”

One of the most touching moments of the visit was when Her Majesty addressed the students in a surprise speech after the evening show the students prepared for Her Majesty to finish with the iconic charity single “We Are The World”:

“You are the world. You are the future. I’ve been here many times, and I get more and more amazed, also very much impressed, by the energy, by the willingness you have to go out to the world and make it better… Use your talent for the best of what you want to share with other people, what you want to create. You will make a better world.”

Her words resonated deeply with our students, reminding them of the significance of their personal and academic journey and their potential to make a positive impact on the world. At the end of Her Majesty’s visit, students lined up together with the local community and patients from our next-door neighbor at the Red Cross Rehabilitation Center to send Her Majesty off with a flag parade that symbolized the diversity of our UWC community.

Reflecting on these remarkable days, we extend our deepest appreciation to Her Majesty Queen Sonja for her enduring support and dedication to our school over the past 28 years. Her presence was a true honor, and her commitment to our mission of promoting peace and sustainability inspires us all.

Read about Her Majesty’s visit on the website of the Norwegian Royal Palace: https://www.kongehuset.no/nyhet.html?tid=223099&sek=26939

Photos by Kiran Acharya and Petra Poór / UWC Red Cross Nordic