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United World Colleges

In an era of both globalisation and rapid change, the United World Colleges (UWC) network is a truly international organization that brings together exceptional students from all corners of the globe to help shape the leaders of tomorrow whilst promoting awareness, understanding, and friendship across borders.

International Leadership Opportunities for Young Australians Each year the UWC Australia Trust selects outstanding, socially aware young Australian students to attend a UWC college in one of ten locations around the world, from Norway to Canada, Venezuela to India. Once at college, the students share their experiences, views and day-to-day life with students from around 80 other countries. UWC scholars are engaged in an intense curriculum that includes completion of the internationally recognised International Baccalaureate diploma, discussions of world affairs as well as active participation in a comprehensive program of self-development and community service projects. Over a two year period, UWC scholars are encouraged to refine and challenge their own ideas, views and preconceptions and to reflect on the diversity of cultures, values and experiences brought together and shared with their fellow students from a network that is open to all nations. How UWC began The international UWC organisation had its origins in the late 1950s as the vision of renowned German educationalist Kurt Hahn, founder of Salem School in Germany, Gordonstoun School in Scotland and the Outward Bound Trust. In founding the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales, Hahn had envisaged a school for students aged 16 to 18 who were already rounded in their own cultures but impressionable enough to benefit from interaction with others. Today, drawn from all nations, UWC students are selected to attend one of ten schools around the world based only on their merit and potential, regardless of race, religion, nationality, background or financial means.

To ensure that UWC Australia can select young people of the highest calibre regardless of their financial resources, each Australian student selected to attend a UWC college is provided with a scholarship.

An International Network of 27,000 Leaders The pursuits of UWC graduates are as diverse as their backgrounds with many excelling in international relations, business, education, medicine, politics, law, science, research and development and the media. Two UWC scholars have even become astronauts. Many graduates have taken up leadership roles in their own communities or with the global UWC network through involvement with colleges, the International Board of the UWC or as members of National UWC Committees. Notwithstanding their diverse backgrounds, cultures, careers and achievements, UWC graduates continue their commitment to peace, international understanding and positive social change.

Since 1970, government and private sector agencies in Australia have funded 80 Australian UWC Scholarships

Helen Tung: A Recent Australian UWC Scholar Before receiving a scholarship to study at the Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong, Helen was studying at MacRobertson Girls High School in Melbourne. At Li Po Chun, she was given the opportunity to represent UWC and Australia on a number of occasions including at the World Affairs Conference in Toronto in February 2001, as a student facilitator of the Youth Leadership Seminar in Singapore in June 2002 and at the International Leadership Conference in Prague in January 2003. Having graduated from Li Po Chun, Helen has continued to excel as a preliminary adjudicator at the World Universities Debating Championships. She is a member of a number of international organisations including the British Institute of International & Comparative Law, the International Debate Educational Association and The English Speaking Union. Pursuing a career as a barrister, Helen intends to use the skills and experiences gained while studying at a UWC to promote UWC ideals and bring about positive changes in her community, both locally and globally.

UWC Australian Scholars: 1994-2003

1994
Sharmilla Peres da Costa (NSW) LPC Alison Quin (QLD) USA Karen Hussey (VIC) LPC

1999
Danielle Piggott (NSW) USA Diana Lobo (VIC) PC Wayne Palmer (VIC) LPC

1995
Monique Parolin (VIC) AD Elena Colarossi (VIC) AD Daniel Wilkins (ACT) USA Gaurav Gupta (NSW) LPC Vanessa Tran (NSW) LPC

2000
Michael Janda (NSW) USA David Ng (NSW) LPC Emily Lambrinakos (VIC) PC Helen Tung (VIC) LPC

1996
Ben Melkman (NSW) USA Belinda Kinneally (VIC) AC Paul van Holsteyn (VIC) PC Magda Wojtasiak (VIC) LPC

2001
Simon Correggia (NSW) AD Benjamin Dougall (NSW) PC Natsumi Penberthy (VIC) LPC Nahal Zebarjadi-Sar (VIC) USA

1997
Patrick Chan (NSW) LPC Naomi de Costa (QLD) USA Alison Dutton (NSW) MI Jenny English (NSW) PC Zia Tayebjee (NSW) LPC Dale Furse (VIC) USA Julitha Harsas (VIC) MI

2002
Kieran Ledwidge (NSW) USA Michelle Lawrence (VIC) PC Natasha Whitelaw (VIC) LPC David Humphreys (VIC) NO

2003
Nakkiah Lui (NSW) PC Michelle Jellet (VIC) PC Diana Tung (VIC) USA Stratos Patsikathedorou (VIC) LPC

1998
Rowena Sullivan (NSW) PC Anna Valpiani (NSW) AD Stephanie Faoro (VIC) AD Gabriel Lopata (VIC) USA

United World Colleges (Australia) Trust Limited ACN 008 498 637

The UWC Australia Trust relies on generous donations. For further information on how you can contribute to the UWC Australia Trust or apply for a scholarship see our website or contact Mr James Gaden on 0412 927 521 .

GPO Box 1272 Sydney 1043 www.uwc.org.au enquiries@uwc.org.au

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