«What do we want? Peace in Ukraine. When do we want it? Now!»
When the first UWC college was established in Wales in 1962, it was as a response to the political conflict of the cold war with the vision to offer an educational experience based on shared learning, collaboration and understanding so that the students would act as champions of peace.
This year the UWC movement celebrates its 60th anniversary and with recent events including the war in Ukraine, the vision statement of UWC is just as important now.
We continue to believe that education is a strong force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.
On Friday 6 March, UWC students initiated a “walk against war” in the municipality center, Dale. Together with the local middle and high school, we were able to gather a huge crowd walking together for peace on short notice. The mayor of Fjaler, Kjetil Felde, and the students from the College and Dale took to the microphone and talked about their wishes for peace.
Ľubica Fintorová (UWC Student), from Slovakia, held an emotional speech on the stage and urged us all to take action and be promoters of peace. “The war doesn’t just affect Ukraine, but the whole world”, she says.
At the moment UWC Red Cross Nordic does not have any students from Ukraine but a part of our student body have both friends and family living in Ukraine. It’s difficult to be far from home, they explain, and for them, the walk became something important and concrete they could take part in and organise in these difficult times.
Please hear our students on the Norwegian Radio, NRK (from 04.02.10): https://radio.nrk.no/…/sesong/202203/DKSF02004522…
The event was also covered by NRK television (from 03:38)
Photos by RCN Media Crew
