From 10 to 14 March 2025, Heads of the 18 UWC schools from around the world, along with key staff from UWC International and the leadership of the UWC Cyprus Committee, gathered in Cyprus for their annual meeting—an exception to their usual practice of convening at one of the UWC schools. The group welcomed the opportunity to hold several of their working and training sessions at the Stelios Foundation House in Nicosia. The UWC Heads’ decision to meet in Cyprus followed the success of the *United for Peace* EU-UWC Youth Leadership Forum, held in September 2024, which reinforced Cyprus’ role as a hub for peacebuilding and intercultural exchange through education.
Immersion in the Cypriot Context
The meeting had as its main purpose to continue innovating and further increasing the impact of UWC’s peace education model. With a common mission to unite people, nations, and cultures through education to create a more peaceful and sustainable future, the UWC school Heads had a unique opportunity to witness the impact of the EU-UWC Scholarship Programme, which has benefited hundreds of Greek-speaking and Turkish-speaking Cypriot youth since 2018. The UWC Heads immersed themselves in the Cypriot context, gaining a deeper understanding of the Cyprus issue and witnessed the power of education in fostering dialogue, collaboration and reconciliation by investing in young people.
The UWC school Heads whose institutions in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Norway host Cypriot students on EU-funded scholarships also had the opportunity to meet with local families. Parents expressed their gratitude for the exceptional education and care provided to their children, as well as the life-changing opportunities afforded by the scholarship programme. These meetings also allowed for meaningful exchanges about the students’ experiences and the schools’ role in empowering young people to become agents for change.
This extraordinary assembly in Cyprus underscores UWC’s dedication to strengthening its global impact, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and enhancing educational opportunities for young people worldwide.
