Aiglon College participates in the 56th Round Square School Conference in Colombia

Four students and two staff members from Aiglon College are participating in the 56th International Round Square Conference in Colombia.

 

The event will be hosted from 22 - 28 September by Colegio Anglo Colombiano, Colegio Gran Bretaña, Colegio Los Nogales, Gimnasio Campestre, and The English School.

 

The programme, designed around the theme Blooming from the Past, is an invitation to explore how we can build a better future by starting from an understanding, and acceptance, of the past. Embracing this theme, students will delve into reflections on their origins, glean profound lessons from history, and harness these insights to foster both personal growth and communal advancement.

 

Each day promises a unique blend of activities that will celebrate the Round Square IDEALS, challenge students intellectually, foster camaraderie and ignite a passion for positive change. There will be keynote speakers, baraza breakout discussions, cultural activities and performances, a homestay experience, and a journey outside Bogota to Boyacá for adventure and community service experiences.

 

“Round Square is an organisation that focuses, amongst other things, on the environment. I am excited to learn what this means in Colombia and the Galapagos islands and how it might compare to Switzerland” stated Lise (Le Cerf, 2027). She continued “ I look forward to making lasting memories with students from all around the world and to listen, share, discuss and challenge their perspectives.”

 

Round Square is a vibrant network of over 250 like-minded schools in 50 countries on six continents that connect and collaborate around world-class programmes that develop global competence, character, and confidence in students. Round Square Schools work together to coordinate international academic collaborations, organise student exchanges, undertake community service, host conferences and broaden global horizons by connecting students in real-time across the world.

 

Central to the conference are the Round Square IDEALS, ensuring every aspect resonates with values of Democracy, Leadership, and more.

 

Noteworthy speakers include Juanita Gobertus, Director of the Americas Division at Human Rights Watch; Mariana Sanz de Santamaría, founder of Poderosas, a national movement for sexual education and reproductive health rights; and Mauricio Cárdenas, former Finance Minister, who will analyse Colombia's economic trajectory in the 21st century.

 

The Cultural Evening promises a vibrant showcase of internationalism through music, dance, gymnastics, martial arts, and even stand-up comedy. This event celebrates the diverse cultures within the Round Square network, offering our students a unique opportunity to proudly share Aiglon School's cultural heritage with global peers.

 

Under the adventurous theme, participants will embark on explorations of Boyacá's scenic hiking trails, engage in local cuisine workshops in Nobsa, participate in reforestation efforts in Villa de Leyva, and experience traditional crafts such as weaving looms.

 

Following the conference, a captivating journey to the Galapagos Islands awaits, hosted by Colegio Bilingüe ANAN. This post-conference trip is dedicated to exploring Ecuador's renowned biodiversity hotspot, emphasising environmental stewardship through visits to the Charles Darwin Research Station, Tortuga Bay, and the Twin Craters, revealing the islands' volcanic origins and rich ecological tapestry.

 

Overall, the International Round Square Conference in Colombia promises not only a transformative educational experience but also a profound journey of cultural exchange, adventure, and environmental awareness for the Aiglon delegation.

 

“For Aiglon College, membership in the Round Square network unlocks a wealth of educational opportunities for experiential learning beyond the traditional classroom, whether through online zoom postcard discussions on important topics, participating in language or history labs, engaging with the global Round Square community at international conferences, or contributing to meaningful service projects around the world” stated Tom Krueger, Aiglon’s Round Square Coordinator.

 

Aiglon has been actively participating in these annual events, including the Round Square International Service Project in Thailand in winter 2023 and summer 2024 and the 55th Round Square Conference in Kenya.