First Local UWC Short Course Focuses on Sustainability

The United World Colleges (UWC) Cayman Islands National Committee hosted its first ‘short programme’ 6th – 9th August in Grand Cayman, seeking to engage young people on sustainability issues.

The UWC mission is to use education as a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. This unique global educational movement was founded in 1962 and now includes 15 colleges and almost 150 national committees across the globe to select students based entirely on merit for the two-year, pre-university programme. UWC Cayman Islands was established in 1984 and almost 70 Caymanians have attended UWC colleges to study for the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

In recent years, the global movement has expanded and now includes short programmes hosted by various colleges and national committees to help bring the UWC mission and values to a wider audience. Most of these programmes take place over the summer months and focus on topics such as social entrepreneurship, intercultural understanding, sustainability, and youth leadership.

Thirteen Cayman Islands residents, aged 14-16, participated in Toward a Sustainable Future in its first year, learning about topics such as biodiversity, the marine environment, and recycling. Participants engaged with presenters throughout the course and also had the opportunity to give a presentation to their families, sponsors and UWC alumni before enjoying a beach barbeque and social on the last day.

In explaining why UWC Cayman Islands chose this focus for its local programme, Chairperson Aubrey Bodden (UWC-USA ’04) noted, “We believe it is important to promote discussion on these important issues and equip young people with the knowledge and tools to become agents of change. Though we concentrated on the natural environment in particular, our presenters sought to integrate social and economic considerations to provide a holistic view of sustainability. We also included excursions that built on those seminars and workshops and activities to help participants develop important life skills like communication and conflict resolution.”

All of the course participants reported increased awareness of sustainability issues and that they would be able to apply the skills and knowledge gained in their own lives. Recognising each individual’s responsibility for creating a more sustainable future, Ayanda Jones, 15, stated “We need to be proactive as a community and as teenagers because we are the future” and Elijah Samson, 14, added “One person does make a difference and the whole community makes an impact.”

Sponsorship allowed UWC Cayman Islands to offer participants scholarships, and through the generosity of Platinum Sponsors Greenlight Re and the Ministry of Education Employment and Gender Affairs; Gold Sponsors Dart Enterprises and Rotary Central; Silver Sponsors Cayman National Bank and Water Authority – Cayman; and Bronze Sponsor Consolidated Water Company, the charitable foundation also raised just over $30,000 for its college scholar programme. The Wyndham Reef Resort, Compass Point Dive Resort, Budget Car Rental, Kirk Market, Kerage Un Limited, Lisa Parks, and a large number of volunteer facilitators also made significant contributions as in-kind sponsors of goods and services.

On behalf of the Ministry, Minister the Hon. Tara Rivers stated, “I am pleased that the Ministry of Education could support the first ever UWC Cayman Islands Short Programme as a Platinum Sponsor. As a United World College alumna myself, I am very familiar with the benefits provided through the UWC educational movement. I believe it’s important to support such local initiatives that provide our young people with diverse learning opportunities where they can grow and develop into global citizens, right here at home. I would like to sincerely thank UWC Cayman Islands for making this programme possible and for promoting educational and leadership opportunities for our young people.”

For more information on the UWC movement, please visit www.uwc.org. A list of short programmes that have been offered around the world is at www.uwc.org/uwc_education/short_programmes/default.aspx. More information and photos from the various seminars and activities during the local short course are available on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/UWCCaymanIslands.

PHOTO: Caption: Participants and Facilitators with Presenters Tom Sparke of the Central Caribbean Marine Institute and Johann Moxam