Quan Cai > International and Cultural Affairs (ICA)

Sylla Cousineau

The International and Cultural Affairs (ICA) aims at making students aware of current affairs around the world, of how issues and conflicts in one country are related to the global context. In LPCUWC, ICA is part of the timetable, it is compulsory for 1st years and they have 12 to 15 one hour sessions, some of which are extended according to need. The sessions are prepared by a team of 1st and 2nd year students who elect to do this as part of their Quan Cai programme. They organize presentations of themes, issues and regional conflicts by members of the school community as well as outside speakers (e.g. on Apartheid, the Kosovo, the US elections, Animal Rights, the Holocaust etc.). These presentations are usually followed by a discussion. They can also tie in with various projects and presentations in the different academic subjects as well as TOK and Quan Cai.

Through student participation and organization a wide level of interest is maintained, and at the same time the programme remains flexible to current events and ideas generated amongst the student body.

In a wider UWC context we support the idea of inter-college collaboration and communication with the aim of

• sharing resources in areas of expertise developed at particular colleges
• sharing ideas on how best to engage students with world issues and events
• exploring the potential of e-mail, video conferencing and the net for organizing joint activities or events.

ICA changes every year, as do the global, political and cultural issues it is devoted to. As such, it is a rewarding and challenging activity to participate in.