Our second-year students started the school year in Oslo, where they were welcomed by host families across the city. On their arrival day they visited the MUNCH Museum and iconic spots in the city before the formal programme began. We are very grateful to the host families who opened their homes to our students and helped make the start of the trip such a welcoming and memorable experience.
Visit in the Munch Museum in Oslo
The programme began with a full day of workshops with the Norwegian Red Cross. Students explored international humanitarian law, humanitarian work and the role young people play within the Red Cross in Norway. It was an important opportunity to learn more about the work of our name-partner and the role the Red Cross partnership plays in the RCN experience.
Workshop in the Norwegian Red Cross headquarters in Oslo
From Oslo, the students travelled to Utøya for a three-day workshop, marking the third year that RCN second years have taken part in the programme. Together, they reflected on dialogue and community, responses to hate speech and extremism, and resilience in the face of tragedy.
Utøya was the site of the 22 July 2011 terrorist attack. Today, the island is also a place for remembrance, learning and engagement, where thousands of young people take part in educational activities focused on democracy and active citizenship. Its learning centre, Hegnhuset, gives young people space to reflect on challenges to democracy and how they can respond to discrimination, hate and anti-democratic actions.
Students in Utøya Learning Centre
For our students, the days at Utøya were meaningful and challenging, but also an important opportunity to learn and connect as a year group. They returned to Flekke motivated to play their part in building an inclusive RCN community in the year ahead. The visit was a powerful start to their second year and a reminder of the importance of dialogue, community and taking responsibility for the world around us.
