International initiative prepares students for citizenship
Abstract
We live in an era of complexity, uncertainty, grave challenges
and global development threats. These include extreme
poverty and inequality, identity politics, intolerance, societal
polarisation and populist politics that promise quick and
simple solutions to complex socio economic problems. In this
context it is important for institutions of higher education to
take up the challenge of educating students in a way that helps
them to be responsible and active citizens able to grapple with
the complexity of the times. As the UWC Charter of Graduate
Attributes for the 21st Century indicates: “UWC graduates
should be engaged, committed and accountable agents of
social good. They must aspire to contribute to social justice
and care, appreciative of the complexity of historical contexts
and societal conditions through their roles as professionals and
members of local and global communities.”