Reflecting upon the past three days of the UWC Congress, or rather, the past six months intensely preparing for the massive event, I feel deeply, deeply thankful for every single person I have had the honor to talk to and be inspired by.
UWC has come a long way in its 62-year history, from a small idea in Wales to an influential global movement with thousands and thousands of individuals deeply involved in uniting people, nations, and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. It is the one-line mission statement that calls us from all corners of the world to strive to make a difference, little by little. Hearing so many stories of UWC students and members, I have never been clearer about how UWC education can have such a transformative impact on people. And I believe the momentum that propels this movement forward is the resonance with stories and a strong sense of responsibility to change the current world.
However, living in a highly interdependent yet fracturing world, making changes is complex. It is complex because we not only desire changes; changes are not the end but the journey. We must consider what comes after changes, as the world is never linear, and one change can lead to unexpected consequences. We also need to deeply consider how these changes help us achieve our goals.
There are many urgent matters we need to ponder.
That's why we are here. We have come a long way as well, from around the globe to attend UWC schools and colleges. The deliberate diversity has helped us grow into change-makers. Sometimes, it's quite painful. The greater the diversity, the harder it is to reach a consensus. I particularly resonate with what Faith said about diversity: "Diversity is just a fact, and what really matters is how and what we do with this diversity." Through countless exchanges of perspectives and opinions, often accompanied by debates and arguments, we have come to know each other better, and most importantly, to understand each other. Without knowing and understanding each other, there is no way to achieve peace and work collectively towards our goals.
I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. It came at just the right time because we never know when UWC Thailand will host another Congress, and by the time it does, I may no longer be a student delegate.
Much love and gratitude to the two teams, UWC Thailand, and my fellow student delegates. Thank you for making my UWC experience, and that of so many others, unforgettable. A heartfelt thank you to Faith for giving me the opportunity to co-host the opening plenary and engage in a dialogue with the coolest Minister of Education ever—Minister Nadiem Makarim.
Cheers to all the change makers and future change makers! See you in 2030??
#uwc #UWCThailand #UWCCongress
As hosts of the UWC International Congress 2024 at our campus, we extended a warm welcome to all attendees through this video. Tonight marks the conclusion of this exceptional event. Stay tuned for more images and videos capturing the essence of this remarkable congress!
Check out our YouTube channel to watch our welcome video here:?https://lnkd.in/ggggGqsP
#UWCCongress2024?#EducationAsAForce?#UWCThailand?#UWC #Phuket?#Thailand?#UWCNationalCommittees?