UWC award for peace education and sustainability in education 2025
We are delighted to announce that the recipient of this year’s award is the Horizon Foundation. These awards recognise and celebrate some extraordinary individuals who have contributed to building and strengthening the UWC movement. Whether organisations, educators, business leaders, philanthropists or other members of the UWC community, they share a resolute determination to support UWC’s mission and be part of its journey towards a more peaceful and sustainable future.
“For 19 remarkable years, the Horizon Foundation has enabled nearly 200 young individuals to pursue their education, with most becoming students at UWC schools and colleges. The vision of Patrick Smulders and Kirkland Newman Smulders, through the Horizon Foundation, has profoundly transformed the futures of these young people. They truly embody the spirit of this award, and we take immense pride in having them as a partner in the UWC community.”
Faith Abiodun, Executive Director UWC International
The scholarships offered by the Horizon Foundation provide young refugees and other young people living in conflict zones with a life-changing opportunity. So far, 142 young people have received scholarships to attend UWC schools. This programme gives them hope and a chance for a better future, equipping them with the knowledge and experience needed to pursue further and higher education or enter into the workforce. We are delighted that so many Horizon-UWC scholars also take advantage of the Davis UWC Scholars Program by attending universities in the United States, and that so many want to give back, applying what they have learned to improve their communities and the lives of other refugees, displaced individuals, and those affected by conflict.
The award was officially announced at the UWC International Gala 2025, held at International House in New York on 8 May. The award was presented by Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu and collected by Horizon scholars Donia Khraishi (UWC Maastricht 2015-2017), Dima Muamar (UWC Maastricht, 2020-2022), Yewong Dongchung (UWC Atlantic, 2007-2009) and Tsethar Fnu (UWC-USA, 2017-2019).
The Horizon Foundation partners with local communities to identify young people who would benefit from a Horizon scholarship. In India, the foundation collaborates with the UWC India National Committee, which consists of UWC volunteers dedicated to identifying and selecting students from India for admission to one of the UWC schools. This partnership, with support from the Central Tibetan Administration, specifically reaches out to Tibetan refugees living in India, providing them with the support needed to attend a UWC.
We are honoured to receive the ‘2025 UWC Education for Peace Award’ and we thank our UWC colleagues and Horizon-UWC scholars for being part of this deeply meaningful experience. The Horizon Foundation supports refugees and students affected by conflict or occupation, particularly Palestinians, Syrians and Tibetans. People enduring war or oppression have the most to gain from the UWC experience, precisely because they have limited access to good holistic education. Our Horizon-UWC students also benefit from the Davis UWC Scholars Program to pursue undergraduate studies in the United States – further strengthening the impact of Horizon’s UWC scholarships. As we enter the 19th year of our partnership with UWC, we find that a UWC education is even more pertinent in today’s world as it offers students the opportunity to tackle key issues – such as human rights, the plight of refugees and climate change. We are very proud of our scholars, their personal journeys and achievements as we see them doing well at school, completing university, launching their careers and serving their communities, however they can.”
Samia El Tabari, CEO, Horizon Foundation
When Horizon Foundation came up to sponsor us to have this education it felt like a light in the darkness. I had a great childhood compared to my parents but still there is always a nagging feeling and remembering of being a refugee. I am truly grateful for the Horizon Foundation for giving me such a great opportunity to be a proud representative of Tibet but also, improve myself in any ways possible and also become more experienced with life. I have truly become much more experienced as I have challenged myself a lot by stepping out of my comfort zone at my stay in UWC. I have learnt to grow as a person and become more mature. With Horizon’s help and UWC education, I have come to realise a lot about life, be able to dream, achieve and aim for more and last but not least, I am now a person who can depend on myself and trust myself
Through its partnership with the UWC India National Committee, the Horizon Foundation also supports Tibetan refugees living in India. Since 2016, this collaboration has enabled 40 Tibetan students to receive a UWC education, working closely with the Central Tibetan Administration to reach those who would otherwise have little access to such opportunities. “These partnerships are vital” says Head of the UWC India National Committee, Rohan Agarwal, “They make it possible for us to keep sending brilliant young people for a UWC education and give them the chance to go out into the world as proud flag bearers.”
We congratulate everyone at the Horizon Foundation on this award and for their dedication and support for young people. We look forward to continuing the partnership into the future.
