Introduction

The Red Cross Nordic United World College was opened in September 1995 in Sogn og Fjordane County in Western Norway. Located on the beautiful shores of Flekke Fjord, in this mountainous region, the College lies alongside the Red Cross Rehabilitation Centre at Haugland. In this spectacular setting the two communities work closely together and share many facilities. This College has become a reality through the cooperative efforts and inspiration of many organizations including the Nordic UWC Committee, the Norwegian Red Cross and the host municipality of Fjaler. The government of Norway has in large part funded the College and is supported by the other Nordic Countries and by private sponsors. The Nordic College is the ninth United World College, the others having been established in Britain, Canada, Hong Kong, Italy, India, Singapore, Swaziland, United States, and Venezuela. (map of UWC Locations)

200 students aged 16-20 attend Red Cross Nordic College from over 80 countries, the majority selected on scholarships by a network of UWC National Committees around the world.hahn.jpg (2789 bytes)

The first College, Atlantic College, in Wales was founded in 1962 inspired by the ideas of the distinguished German-born educator Kurt Hahn, who also founded schools in Germany and Scotland as well as inspiring the Outward Bound Movement. For more information about the United World Colleges, click here.

Aims

The aim of the United World Colleges is to use education as a force to unite people. The Nordic College, with a special emphasis on environmental and humanitarian concerns, brings highly motivated young students from all parts of the world so they can live and learn together. Our objective is to help students become active, involved and educated citizens whose attitudes towards understanding and service will be a powerful catalyst for change. Through these students, who are selected on merit as representatives of their countries, we hope to influence their wider communities to become more understanding, compassionate and peaceful. In short, we wish to create a better and more tolerant world.