Message from the Head

One of the most pat and ubiquitous phrases in everyday social interactions must surely be: “It has been a pleasure.” “What, honestly?” I feel compelled to ask. Thanking that woefully tedious speaker, enduring the phony networker at a party or giving the same address for the fifth time has been “a pleasure?” Exactly what kind of a life must one have for this stuff to be so inordinately joyous? But, of course, it is merely a convention: often the phrase really means: “I’m glad that’s over.” Well I begin my fourth year in a state of humble delight and can say with sincerity that it is, one hundred percent, a pleasure to introduce this important publication. I know far more about the alumni body than I did last year, and while that knowledge is but a tiny fraction of the whole, I have met enough wonderful people to feel proud and excited about the UWCSEA community in and beyond the College. From reunions to significant project work to casual interactions, I have experienced a buzz and energy that crackles away still. And great things are afoot … Last year I began this introduction by recounting our experience looking to see if Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education might continue to work with us on an ambitious movement wide project. We were seeking to move from anecdotal to research based evidence concerning the mission-aligned impact of our alumni, and we were in the process of trying to persuade Professor Howard Gardner and his team to engage. A one year exploratory study instigated by and based at UWCSEA had proved a success, and so we were pitching for a more extensive and detailed analysis. Well, I am thrilled to say that we did it. A four year study not just of UWCSEA but the UWC movement begins this year using both longitudinal and sectional methodology. UWCSEA is effectively handing its baby over to the movement, but we can be very proud of our part in the genesis of this exciting work. I’ve always thought that one can be brimming with UWC values and the attendant ethical dispositions in a thousand different walks of life: looking at the jobs people do is only a small piece of the puzzle. We await Harvard’s input with interest. Exciting times ahead. Climbing down from academia’s tower, may I extend the warmest of invitations to you all to engage with us and one another. It’s uplifting to see UWC alumni coming together around the world, and I must confess that after the UWC Congress in Trieste last year I was especially moved on discovering just what the collective power of UWC alumni can do. All that Platonic rhetoric about “peace” was suddenly made earthy and real and possible. So, please do enjoy what follows and be assured of the warmest of welcomes at UWCSEA. May you all enjoy a happy and successful year.

Chris Edwards Head of College