United World College in Mostar

The United World College in Mostar (UWC Mostar) (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Latin: Koledž Ujedinjenog svijeta u Mostaru) is a part of the United World College, founded by Elisabeth Rehn (UN Special Rapporteur on the Secretary General for the United Nations Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina 1995-1999) and Lamija Tanović (Chair, Humanity in Action Bosnia and Herzegovina) in 2006 and officially opened by Queen Noor of Jordan. UWC Mostar is the first UWC with an explicit aim to contribute to the reconstruction of a post-conflict society and also the first to be housed within an existing public school (see also Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina). UWC Mostar is the twelfth college in the United World Colleges family, and the fourth college in Europe. UWC Mostar was founded as a joint initiative of UWC and the International Baccalaureate Organization, with the aim to support the peace process in the country and the region. From January 2011, UWC Mostar is part of Foundation Education in Action which is a legal successor of UWC-IB Initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The chair of the Governing Board is Pilvi Torsti, Chair of the College Board is Jasminka Bratić (who is also a member of the school's Governing Board). As consequence of the Bosnian War, Gymnasium Mostar - with which UWC Mostar shares a building - teaches two national separate secondary school curricula, intended for Croat and Bosniak students. UWC Mostar students come from all ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as from the region and abroad. All students live, study and serve the community together, creating a unique example of integrated education in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina. The college also serves as the Centre for Professional Development of Teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina who receive training in international educational standards. Students at the college are eligible, upon graduation, to participate in the Davis United World College Scholars Program, which funds undergraduate study for UWC students at selected universities in the United States.