Learn about Horizon’s longstanding partnership with United World Colleges (UWC) over the past two decades.
Horizon is honoured to receive the UWC Award for Peace Education and Sustainability in Education 2025. This award recognises Horizon’s contribution to building and strengthening the UWC movement and supporting its mission.
The award was officially announced at the UWC International Gala 2025 held at International House in New York on 8 May 2025 and was presented by Rev Nontombi Naomi Tutu. 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) collected the award on Horizon’s behalf.
More info can be found HERE.
Horizon held two gatherings for its scholars earlier this year. Scholars from UWC Atlantic joined Horizon staff for an Iftar meal in March at a Lebanese restaurant in central London (pictured). This gave scholars the opportunity for a short sight-seeing trip in town and a welcome break from the demands of their studies and exam preparations.
In addition, Horizon’s CEO, Samia El Tabari attended the UWC Maastricht graduation ceremony in May to celebrate the achievements of the three scholars who completed their studies. She also met with Horizon’s other scholars and UWC Maastricht staff during her stay.
Horizon’s Community Engagement Initiative (CEI) encourages its scholars to lead projects that promote cross-cultural understanding. Over the past two years, Horizon has awarded CEI grants to a Palestinian student at UWC Atlantic and a Syrian scholar at UWC Maastricht to purchase an oud (pictured above) for their respective schools. Tibetan students were also supported at UWC Maastricht with the purchase of a Tibetan lute and five Tibetan flutes. The instruments were used by the scholars to introduce Arab and Tibetan music to their peers and to perform in school concerts. All of the instruments will remain at the schools to be used in future.
Meet a selection of Horizon scholars and hear their personal stories about their educational journeys so far.
Meet Mohamad, a Palestinian refugee from Lebanon, who received a Horizon scholarship to attend UWC Atlantic in the UK (2017-2019). Mohamad is now doing a PhD in Organic Chemistry at the University of Delaware in the United States.
In 2022/23, the Foundation supported two scholars to implement projects in Palestine and Jordan. The first was held in Dheisheh refugee camp by Mai, a Horizon-UWC Atlantic graduate from Palestine, and supported 50 pre-school children academically and provided psychosocial and recreational activities. The second project was designed by Hasan, a Horizon-Amala graduate from Syria in Amman. Hasan’s project targeted 22 young refugees in Jordan who benefitted from a five-month training programme in areas such as life skills, cultural exchange through art and sport, and project planning (see photo).
Horizon also supported Tsethar, who was studying at the University of Richmond in the USA, to facilitate the screening of a documentary film and cultural event which enabled him to introduce his culture to an audience of Americans who previously knew little about Tibet.
In June 2023, Horizon staff met scholars, old and new, in Amman and Beirut. Whilst in Amman, the Horizon CEO and Scholar Liaison Manager were able to meet scholars and staff of the Amala Education programme and learnt more about the personal interest projects all Amala students conduct as part of their diploma. In Beirut, Horizon held a gathering with 12 Horizon school and university students (pictured).
Horizon-UWC Maastricht graduate, Dima, recently spoke at the UN Education Cannot Wait Conference as a global youth ambassador and representative of Palestine.
Whilst there, Dima took the opportunity to talk about education in the Palestinian context and called on global leaders to talk about what is happening in Palestine and to support the Palestinians’ right to safety and basic human rights.
In November 2022, Horizon staff visited UWC Atlantic to catch up with Horizon scholars, their tutors and other school staff. Whilst there, we held a dinner with the seven scholars being supported by Horizon.
In May 2023, Horizon staff visited UWC Mostar and UWC Maastricht. In addition to meeting scholars and attending graduation ceremonies, we also met with their tutors and other staff at the schools. We also had the opportunity to spend time with scholars off campus (pictured).