UWC was founded in 1962 with the vision of bringing together young people whose experience was of the political conflict of the cold war era, offering an educational experience based on shared learning, collaboration and understanding so that the students would act as champions of peace.
United World College in Mostar (UWC Mostar) was founded in 2006 as the core part of the Foundation Education in Action. It is one of the 17 colleges within the UWC movement.
UWC Mostar students come from all over the world, as well as from all ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region. All students live, study and serve in the community together creating a unique example of integrated education in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina. The College also serves as the venue of the Centre for Professional Development of BiH Teachers who receive training in international educational standard.
UWC Mostar was and is the first UWC with the explicit aim to contribute to the reconstruction of a post-conflict society, and also the first to be housed within an existing national school. The College is based within the striking Austro-Hungarian building of Gimnazija Mostar. Their students are secondary school students belonging to all ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as by students from the nearby region and further abroad, all of whom live, study and serve the community together.
UWC Mostar enriches the UWC movement by adding its unique aim: “To equip the next generations of young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the knowledge, skills, leadership qualities and international values, necessary to bridge the still existing ethnic divisions and move their country into the 21st century.”
UWC Mostar aim to reach and to influence those young people in Bosnia who are seeking to shape their future in a society that has yet to come to terms with its past. They are the future of the country and its hope for reconciliation. Furthermore, the UWC Mostar broadens this special mission by offering the same opportunities to the young people from all over the world, especially those coming from other post-conflict countries, particularly from the Balkans.
UWC staff chooses to work at a UWC for the mission and values, and are committed to the personal and intellectual growth of students. In the 2020/2021 academic year, our full-time teaching staff is 42% international, 58% from Bosnia and Herzegovina, from different countries of the world and with experience at other UWCs, including UWC alumni.
Since its foundation, ten years ago, UWC Mostar has educated more than 1,000 young students from over 70 different countries, chosen to attend our school based on their merit and potential to create change. UWC educates for action and we are confident that each member, in their own way, makes a series of positive contributions to society on a personal, community and global level.
Celebration of diversity and the promotion of intercultural and international understanding is at the core of their mission, with the goal to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.