DILIJAN, Armenia—On October 5, in a gesture emphasizing the partnership between United World Colleges (UWC) and the U.N. High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Armenia, the UNHCR Armenia office presented a special collection of books to the library of UWC Dilijan. This significant contribution comes as a gift as the school celebrates its 10th anniversary.
The ceremony brought together representatives of the UNHCR, UWC Dilijan students, staff, trustees and benefactors. The books, both fiction and academic literature, will deepen the understanding of UWC Dilijan students about the plight and challenges, as well as the resilience and strength of forcibly displaced people in the world, and inspire them to support refugees and take action as changemakers.
Welcoming the guests, Head of UWC Dilijan Adam Armanski said: “The UWC movement is trying to contribute to helping refugees and children from conflict zones in its own way by providing opportunities for young people to study at UWC schools. On average around 5% of our students in the IB Diploma years come from a refugee, displaced or persecuted background and benefit from full scholarship provision at one of the 18 UWC schools and colleges. Notably, the founder of the very first UWC school in Wales, Kurt Hahn, had himself undergone persecution and had to flee his home, hence our duty, as a tribute to his legacy, to create educational opportunities for these young people.”
Speaking at the event, UNHCR External Relations Officer Kiri Atri expressed: “Books have the power to transport us to other places and times, allowing us to experience life through the eyes of those who have walked different paths. Through stories of strength like The Kite Runner and The Girl Who Smiled Beads, students can understand the struggles of refugees, fostering empathy and compassion. This section in UWC library will serve as a gateway to these narratives, helping to bridge gaps of understanding among students from diverse backgrounds.”
Turfa Mazhar, a UWC Dilijan class of 2025 student from Afghanistan, who is the recipient of a UWC Refugee Initiative scholarship, said: “In hopes of a better world, where no one must fight for their rights. A place where peace and love prevail for all.”
The event concluded with a symbolic handover of the books to UWC Dilijan’s community representatives.
A decade of shared values: Education and inclusion
Since its founding in 2014, UWC Dilijan has provided a transformative education for young people from across the world. A philanthropic initiative in itself, the school has a commitment to hosting a diverse student body representing over 80 countries, many of whom come from underprivileged or conflict-affected regions. Currently the school is home to 13 students from conflict zones.
In 2016, the UWC Refugee Initiative was launched to raise scholarships for refugees. This aligns closely with the mission of the UNHCR, which supports the UWC Refugee Initiative via a cooperation agreement, by providing authoritative guidance on refugee policy, technical advice and helping to promote the scholarship program among refugee communities and relevant stakeholders.
In 2016-2018 UWC partnered with Aurora Humanitarian Initiative to provide scholarships for students from conflict zones and refugees to study in UWC schools, including UWC Dilijan.
An example of the UNHCR-UWC partnership is Nour Mussa’s journey, a refugee from Sudan living in Lebanon, who received a chance to study in UWC Dilijan in Armenia on a scholarship funded by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. The UNHCR working with the government of Armenia facilitated his travel and stay in Armenia, ensuring he received the necessary legal status, documentation and support to rebuild his life in Armenia.
Building bridges through knowledge
The UNHCR’s initiative to present this collection of books reflects its broader efforts to raise awareness about the refugee crisis and the global responsibility to address forced displacement. Through storytelling, case studies and academic texts, the books will enable UWC Dilijan students to get a deeper understanding of complex issues surrounding forced migration, conflict resolution and international humanitarian efforts.
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