Laurence Nodder, the longest-serving Head in the UWC movement, will retire from UWC Robert Bosch College in July, leaving behind an important legacy that transcends borders and generations. Laurence’s career spans two and a half decades of leadership at UWC, firstly as Principal at  Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa, and secondly as founding Rektor of UWC Robert Bosch College in Germany. We had the pleasure of talking to Laurence in-person at the recent UWC International Congress 2024 in Phuket, Thailand, where he took the time to reflect on his career.

Growing up in apartheid-era South Africa, Laurence witnessed first hand the injustices perpetrated by racial segregation. "My early experiences in Cape Town shaped my belief in education as a catalyst for societal change," he reflects. After completing his studies in Mathematics, English and Psychology, Laurence decided to embark on a career in teaching. Laurence talks about the poverty experienced by the young people he taught from the townships, the brutality of the army and the states of emergency that caused such trauma and suffering.

Becoming a Principal in his mid-20’s, he says he didn’t always feel equipped to deal with such challenges, although they were to have a profound impact on his views on education. Joining Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa in Swaziland as Principal in 1999, Laurence saw first-hand the power of bringing together young people from diverse backgrounds to live and learn side-by-side: "Waterford Kamhlaba taught me the power of education to break down barriers," he recalls. "It was there that I realised the global relevance of our mission - to equip young people with the skills and perspectives needed to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world."

“Within the United World Colleges, I discovered in a tangible way that what we had experienced in Southern Africa was not unique; it had a unique expression in Southern Africa, but it wasn’t unique to Southern Africa. There were people who faced disadvantages and were locked out of a quality education throughout the world, and our attempts to equip people and engage with those from different backgrounds could become a global endeavour rather than simply a local and regional one.”

After serving at Waterford for 13 years, Laurence left to take on the challenge of founding a new UWC school in Freiburg, Germany, UWC Robert Bosch College: "Founding Robert Bosch College was an opportunity to expand on the UWC mission," he explains. "We aimed to create a community where students from around the world could live and learn together, fostering mutual understanding and empathy."

Under Laurence’s stewardship, UWC Robert Bosch College flourished into a model of educational excellence and cultural exchange. "Deliberate diversity was not just a goal but a guiding principle," he emphasises. "We sought to go beyond mere representation of nationalities to cultivate an environment where differences are embraced as strengths."

His leadership was characterised by a commitment to holistic education and community engagement. "Trust, responsibility and solidarity were fundamental values," he notes. "We empowered students to take ownership of their learning and to engage actively in addressing global challenges."

The term ‘deliberate diversity’, which has become a cornerstone of the UWC educational model, is often attributed to Laurence. He explains,"I think I used that term for the first time at a global national committees' meeting in Waterford in 2009. It seemed to me that our focus had become about celebrating the numbers of different nationalities we could bring together in one place at our schools. However, I felt our commitment to diversity should be about much more than that. It’s about being really intentional with the way we recruit students, not just from different nationalities, but also from different religious, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. In this way, our schools have become places where students can truly embrace and learn from our differences.” 

Navigating cultural tensions and fostering dialogue were integral to Laurence's approach. "Diversity inevitably brings challenges," he acknowledges. "But through dialogue and shared experiences, we created a community where mutual respect and cooperation prevailed."

Laurence’s impact extends beyond students to the faculty and staff he mentored. "We recruited educators who not only excelled in their fields but also embodied the values of empathy and resilience," he said. "Their diverse backgrounds enriched our educational community and empowered students to embrace their own identities and perspectives."

Helen White, Laurence’s successor as new Rektor at UWC Robert Bosch College, has praised his leadership, stating, "Laurence Nodder has set a standard of inclusive leadership and global citizenship that will resonate for years to come."

Laurence’s journey from apartheid-era educator to pioneering principal at UWC Robert Bosch College exemplifies a lifelong commitment to fostering compassionate global citizens and promoting educational equity worldwide. His retirement marks not just the culmination of a distinguished career but a testament to the enduring impact of educators who believe in the transformative power of education. His legacy will continue to inspire educators and students globally, embodying the ethos and mission of UWC for generations to come.