Morten Skovdal (RCN 2000) has joined forces with WHO to understand the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on migrants and refugees globally. The survey is available in 37 languages, most of which have been expertly translated by members of the UWC community. Please share and encourage participation.
Congratulations to Amina (RCN’19). The Davis Committee has chosen her project among the rewarded for the ‘Davis Project for Peace’ 2020.
Please let me extend the most heartfelt welcome to UWC RCN; a place that sets out to create a peaceful and sustainable future by uniting people, nations, and cultures through education. Think of it – a peaceful and sustainable future. It’s a bold ambition, and as one student argued earlier today when discussing cultural change; “yes, this is of course the culture we should create, but realistically we must consider…”
But. So much power in the little word but. A word that can be used to widen our perspectives in a discussion by bringing more arguments to the table. A word that can remind us to critically question our own assumptions and prejudices as we allow reflections to create new understanding. But – there is also another side to the word, as the little but can hinder ourselves reaching full potential by focusing on limitations. Opening the college for close to full operation in the academic year of 2020-2021 is a process full of challenging buts. Admission, travel and settling in procedures in itself encountered closed visa centres, cancelled flights, insurance issues, potential virus exposure during travel, quarantine, use of extra space and resources, extra cleaning, extra shifts for the kitchen, financial loss, etc. And this is even before considering the normal operational services, offering blended learning with both online and face-to-faces services, accommodating for space limitations, guest limitations, etc.
Yet – from our perspective, there was never a but that made us think twice about running the college as close to normal as possible. In fact, these highly unusual times underline the utmost importance of our mission. A collaborative approach for active, global citizenship focusing on sustainability and peace is the only way forward. The encounters with the diverse and resourceful student and staff body will allow us to learn by sharing our experiences, knowledge and understanding. The human resources are deeply embedded in individuals. You do not always see them on a surface level; you have to foster environments where people show themselves from within. And this is what we set out to do at RCN. Together we are aiming to create a collectively robust community who will use our energy, compassion, competence and the ability to see the positive use of ‘but’ in order to overcome future obstacles, whether it be the handling of pandemics or other profound challenges of the future.
In this academic year of 2020-2021 at UWC RCN ‘but’ will not be used to indicate what is not possible, but a tool for reflective practices as we seek enhanced possibilities and new achievements.
Sincerely, Hege Myhre, Rector
We were shocked to receive the following information from Mzwandile Ginindza (RCN 2003 graduate, Ulysses’ first year):
It is with our deepest sorrow that we mourn the passing of our beloved Ulysses (Nkosingizwele) Zwane (UWCRCN 2002 graduate). Ulysses passed away on 15 July 2020 in the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland); he was receiving medical care for a longstanding illness. After graduating from RCN, Ulysses spent about 10 years in Kwazulu Natal and completed a degree in Computer Science Engineering before returning to Swaziland.
Ulysses was an amazing father, son, brother and friend whose charisma and warmth touched the lives of those around him. He is survived by his eight year old son (Wamukelwe “Mooks” Zwane), his parents, elder brother, and younger sister. Ulysses dedicated his life to his family and the well-being of his son. Ulysses is fondly remembered by friends around the world, many of whom he met during his time at Red Cross Nordic United World College (UWC) in Norway and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
As we learn to live without him, we ask you to support us in celebrating his life, preserving / reinforcing his legacy, paying tribute to him and keeping his memory alive. Please consider one or both of the following:
Ulysses’ funeral will be held in the Kingdom of Eswatini, on 25 July 2020.
Ulysses’ energy and determination were contagious, he was humble and he was the glue that brought many of us together. To a multi-faceted man of many names – “Uly”, “Zwele”, “Krotis”, “Sungu”, “Sungulo”, “Useless”, “Family”, “The International Superstar” – rest in eternal comfort. You shall forever be loved, cherished and dearly missed.
With heavy hearts,
Ulysses’ UWC friends, with his family’s blessing.
