Newsletter 1: Introducing UWC Vietnam’s Campus Project: It Takes a Village
1 April 2023
Xin chào from Ho Chi Minh City! I am thrilled to share the first newsletter about UWC Vietnam's campus project with you. I want to express my gratitude to all those who have supported this initiative by lending their expertise, directly or indirectly. This project will require collective efforts from all parties, and as they say, “It takes a village.” Thank you for being one of the villagers!
Our vision for the UWC Vietnam campus is to create a transformative educational experience that prepares students to be agents of positive change for both Vietnam and the world. We are committed to carrying out the UWC movement’s mission to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.
At the UWC Vietnam campus, inspired by Harvard University's UWC impact study, we hope to prioritize fostering a sense of belonging among our students, providing service learning opportunities that empower them to make a difference in their communities in Vietnam and abroad, and offering comprehensive mental health and wellbeing support. Our ultimate objective is to cultivate a generation of changemakers who possess the skills, knowledge, and empathy required to make a positive impact wherever they may find themselves. We are committed to empowering our students to achieve their full potential, and we believe that by doing so, we are contributing to a brighter future for the world.
Exciting momentum behind the project
All people I have spoken with about the project have expressed their excitement. This includes folks from UWC International, UWC Vietnam board members and alumni, official and unofficial advisors and education experts, friends, and even strangers. Everyone is thrilled that we are kicking off this initiative in Vietnam!
UWC Vietnam presence outside Vietnam
UWC Vietnam has a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States, operating under the name United World Initiatives. We are currently exploring options for a local entity in Vietnam or Singapore.
Advisory Board
We are in the process of establishing an advisory board for the UWC Vietnam campus project. The purpose of this board is to provide strategic support in identifying and securing a licensed UWC campus in Vietnam. Additionally, the board will help connect the core team with individuals in Vietnam who have a vested interest in seeing this project come to fruition.
We are currently accepting nominations or expressions of interest for the board from individuals who have a strong commitment to UWC's mission and values, as well as experience in areas such as education, fundraising, and community engagement. If you know of someone who would be a valuable addition to this board, please don't hesitate to reach out to us with their name and contact information.
Our plans for the next month are as follows:
12-month business plan
Our primary goal is to create a business plan that will help us envision and recruit an exploratory core team for the project. Establishing a dedicated core team is a significant milestone, and we have already started this process by reaching out to our network and contacts to identify potential team members who would be a good fit for the project.
Engage UWC Vietnam Alumni
The full support of Vietnamese UWC Alumni is essential for the success of the UWC Vietnam campus project. The goal is to update the alumni database, spread the word, and engage alumni in volunteering, donating, offering specific skills, organizing fundraisers, etc.
If there are any advice, questions, or comments that you might have about the project, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at sam.jeong@uwc.vn. I plan on updating you all with a monthly newsletter going forward. If you have contacts who you think should be receiving the newsletter, please let me know, and I will make sure to add them to the list of recipients.
I am humbled and honored to be taking on this monumental task, and though there are times where the details and the scope of this project can seem overwhelming, I remember the eyes, faces, and stories of the Vietnamese UWC finalists that I have met over the past three years, from over 30 different provinces, and I feel fired up again. At the end of the day, this project is dedicated to them–the youths of Vietnam.
Wishing you all a fantastic start to April!
Yours,
Sam
How can there be peace without people understanding each other, and how can this be if they don’t know each other?” -Lester Pearson