UWCSEA Belonging Statement
UWCSEA is committed to being a community where all individuals have a sense of belonging, and where different identities and ways of being are respected and valued. We are aware of the needs of members of our community who have been marginalised or not historically had a voice, including the LGBTQ+ community, those with visible and non-visible disabilities, and linguistic, religious or racial groups.
We recognise that attitudes evolve with time and from context to context, but that we must always remain true to the fundamental principles of human dignity that support our Mission of peace and a sustainable future. Our aim as a College is to ensure that our Mission and values are visible in our daily interactions, and to promote critical thinking and compassion, so that we can better understand the diverse characteristics that exist between and within groups of people.
We recognise belonging for all as an outcome of our individual and collective behaviours. In order to be the open, inclusive community containing a multitude of perspectives that our Mission demands, we commit to the following:
- Developing and fostering positive relationships in our community through interactions that are open, honest, meaningful and joyful and recognise the full humanity of each member of our community.
- Taking responsible action to build awareness of our own cultural beliefs and values and how these may be different from other cultures and belief systems in our community, so that the experiences, strengths and needs of everyone are recognised and understood.
- Creating a safe and brave environment in which anyone can hold and express their own beliefs - however unorthodox in our context - as long as they express their view from a place of curiosity and compassion, while seeking differing perspectives and listening to understand.
- Learning intentionally from our mistakes, knowing that we can all grow in our ability to create a sense of belonging in our community.
- Asking for support when engaged in the complex conversations before us, and intentionally following up on these conversations using compassion and a willingness to work together for understanding, connection and growth.
- Remaining student-centred in our decisions, communications and interactions, recognising that all the adults in the community must support, guide and challenge our students, even as we learn from them.
- Continuing to design and deliver an inclusive and equitable Learning Programme, which honours the diverse and multi-faceted identities of all students in our community, and recognises the opportunities presented by the diversity of our staff members.
- Continuing to interrogate and question systems that foster inequity.
- Expecting that interactions with and between all staff members, regardless of role, are in line with our Guiding Statements and the principles embodied in this statement.