International education giant Education First (EF) is to run its first summer school with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) this August dedicated to improving international cooperation and combatting extremism.
The school, which will be hosted at EF’s campus in Tarrytown, New York State, USA, will welcome 100 young people from around the world. It aims to help students build the skills and knowledge needed “to collaborate across borders and to search for joint solutions”, say organisers.
“The conviction that youth are a driving force for positive social change is the basis for the UNAOC-EF Summer School”
“The conviction that youth are a driving force for positive social change is the basis for the UNAOC-EF Summer School and we are very pleased to work alongside EF in this effort,” said Matthew Hodes, director of the UNAOC, which is run the auspices of the United Nations.
“This week-long summer school brings together 100 youth from all corners of the world to address pressing global challenges within the context of cultural and religious diversity.”
Formed in 2005 by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the UNAOC’s primary mission is to improve cross-cultural understanding and cooperation among countries, peoples and communities. It places a particular emphasis on defusing tensions between the Western and Islamic worlds.
EF could potentially offer it huge added reach through its network of 450 schools and offices worldwide. The company, which specialises in language training, educational travel, academic degrees and cultural exchange programmes, claims to have taught millions since forming in 1965.
Eva Kockum, president of EF International Language Centers said: “This Summer School is a meaningful collaboration between two organizations dedicated to exchange and understanding. Through the encouragement of dialogue, the participants can gain the skills needed in today’s interdependent and intercultural world.”
The school will run from August 24 to 31, 2013. Those aged between 18 and 35 interested in attending should apply at www.UNAOCEFSummerSchool.org by June 15.
