The unification of Romania, in 1918 was a key moment in the history of this great country, with such a proud past and dynamic future. With the fall of communism in December 1989 doors opened to a brighter future out of the social and economic malaise that had been present for such a long time. 


However, with the present rise of nationalism across many parts of the globe, there are moments in history, when it is ever more important to provide an education to our children that is based on the UN Charters of freedom and social responsibility, and an International Baccalaureate (IBO) curriculum that: 
 

… aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. 

… encourages students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. 


Since the Great Unification of Romania, most nations, particularly in the western world, have strived to move towards a framework of political and social dialogue under the guise of Globalism or Globalization, which has given rise to greater social mobility, prosperity and cultural interconnectedness. However, with the upsurge in this age of populism and nationalism emerging in Europe, our graduating students will need to pave the way to ensure that there is an enduring and everlasting understanding of tolerance, empathy and respect. To quote the IBO, again: 

… we promote intercultural understanding and respect, not as an alternative to a sense of cultural and national identity, but as an essential part of life in the 21st century. 


I am an eternal optimist; every generation is graduating more and more students who are educated to appreciate and understand the core tenets of an international education. Our students recognize how creativity leads to experiences that involve creative thinking; that activity and physical effort contribute to a healthier lifestyle; and, that unsolicited and voluntary help in the community rounds out the social perspective. 





One of the more disturbing trends that we have seen over the past couple of year is the emergence of a ‘post fact’ world, in which virtually all scientific analysis and authoritative information is being challenged by those who simply have no background or training in such matters. Scholarly thought, deduction, conjecture is being dismissed as fake news, with no other rationale than ‘because I think so’. Thus, it is even more critical that our students understand, and de-personalize, the relative nature of ‘truth’; the Theory of Knowledge course creates a better understanding of what is truth, what is a fact and: 

... asks students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know. (IBO) 


Theodore Roosevelt’s quote rings through the ages; spoken over a century ago, it is never more pertinent that it is today: 

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. 
 

So, I would like to challenge every one of our graduates and alumni to build on what they have learned through the IB philosophy and actively contest those who would dismiss notions of mutual understanding, tolerance and respect. 

 

Become involved. 

Regards, 

Robert Brindley
Director


Read the entire edition of the WORLD Magazine Special Edition Winter 2018 here.