| Letter from the Chairman 2004 has been a peaceful and constructive year. The school has received important visits from the Norwegian Parliament's Education Committee and the Ministry of Education and Research, among others. The most noteworthy event, however, was a two-day official visit by the college patron; Her Majesty Queen Sonja. The Queen clearly expressed her support for the college, its activities and ideals, and the students and teachers. Similarly, Her Majesty’s comments on Norwegian television on New Year’s Eve gave us a special feeling that Norway, through the activities of RCNUWC, helped promote peace and international solidarity. This is an important message for those of us who struggle daily with more mundane problems such as the school syllabus and finances. After the ‘shock’ of 2003, when the government grant to the school was in serious danger of being drastically reduced, it seems that we are now sailing in calmer waters. Calm waters, however,often conceal both underwater currents and jagged reefs.We must remain constantly alert to ensure that we follow up the school's goals concerning the humanitarian issues, human-rights principles, Nordic themes and environmental issues upon which the school is founded. The college must not let itself be distracted by short-sighted opportunism, or let itself be carried away by an ‘ideology of profits’. The RCNUWC must adhere to what might be regarded as a Nordic principle: that education should be universally accessible, regardless of one's financial resources. In addition,we should position ourselves so that we earn public and general support both professionally and financially. Our collaboration with the Red Cross and organisations such as SOS Children's Villages Norway and the Norwegian Peace Corps sends out important signals to the outside world and promotes our ideas in practice. Of the many candidates who seek to enrol in the UWC, relatively few are chosen. On a global basis, there are limited student vacancies, and the requirements for enrolment are rigorous. It is important, however, that we teach students that although they have been selected from many they are not necessarily ‘better’ than others in all contexts, but rather that they have been given a greater responsibility for their fellow human beings, local communities and countries. Fortunately, this is the attitude and approach that generally develops in the students.Occasionally, however, our ambitions are not realized. We experienced great grief this year when Javlon Asimov, a first-year student from Uzbekistan, drowned when bathing while he had a summer job in Norway. This was, of course, a tragedy for his family; but also a difficult time for the school’s students and staff, who returned to their studies after the summer holidays without the presence of Javlon. It was also a trial for Rektor John Lawrenson, who had to communicate the sad news to Javlon’s parents in Tashkent. The Nobel Peace Prize winner this year was awarded to Wangari Maathai from Kenya. As usual, some of our students were present during the ceremony, which was held in the Oslo Town Hall.Environmental issues and equal rights are given high priority by the RCNUWC, so it was of particular interest that these themes were also emphasised by the Nobel Committee.These topics are undoubtedly important in a context of peace and cooperation. We congratulate Wangari Maathai and the Nobel Committee for stressing these vital fundamental issues for a peaceful society, and are proud of having these specific concepts as an integral part of our strategy for the college. | |||||||||
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THE RCNUWC BOARD 2004 Members Raymond Johansen, Chairman Claus Reistrup (UWC Faroe Islands) Matti Hovula (UWC Finland) Yael Tågerud (UWC Sweden) Rolf Kragerud (UWC Norway) Sven Mollekleiv (Norwegian Red Cross) Gro Eldevik (Staff representative) Charles Dougherty (Student Representative) | STUDENT COUNCIL 2004 Mette Larsen – Chair | ||||||||
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