Welcome to UWC Adriatic

Who we are

UWC Adriatic is part of UWC (United World Colleges), a global movement of 18 schools around the world. We are the first UWC in Europe set up in a non-English speaking country, welcoming students from over 80 countries and empowering them with the tools to engage with diverse perspectives, explore differences, and contribute positively to their communities.

Our Mission

“
UWC makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future
”

UWC is a unique organisation. It is the only global movement that brings students together from all over the world, selected in their own countries on merit and regardless of their ability to pay. These students then come together at one of 18 UWC schools or colleges, where the deliberate diversity of the student body and a values-based holistic educational model equip them with the skills and vision needed to shape a better world.

Aerial view of a coastal town with red-roofed buildings, a historic castle on a hill surrounded by trees, and a blue sea stretching into the horizon under a clear sky.

Our College

UWC Adriatic is located in the seaside village of Duino, Italy, at the crossroads of Germanic, Latin, and Slavic cultures. This region, just North of Trieste, has witnessed the scars of history, from the devastation of World War I to the political and ethnic divisions of the Second World War. As the first UWC in the movement based in a non-English speaking country, our college immerses itself in a rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and environmental influences, actively promoting education for peace.

 

History of UWC Adriatic

1982
UWC Adriatic 1982
UWC Adriatic was founded with the support of the Italian government and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. The College welcomed its first generation in August, hosting students and staff at the nearby Hotel Europa. David Sutcliffe served as the College’s founding Rettore.
1983
First Opening Ceremony
Students and staff relocated to Duino, settling into the residences of Foresteria, Dama Bianca, and Motel Agip. The Opening Ceremony was held in Gorizia, with the President of the Italian Senate, Francesco Cossiga, presiding over the event.
1984
Prince Charles visit
King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, made his first visit to the College, inaugurating the academic building. Later that year, the President of the Italian Republic received Marella Agnelli, President of the UWC Italian National Committee, along with 13 College students whose scholarships were generously funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
1988
Francesco Cossiga - Quirinale palace
In May, President Francesco Cossiga hosted a meeting at the Quirinale Palace in Rome with College President Corrado Belci, UWC patron and Honorary Deputy President Antonin Besse and Rettore David Sutcliffe.
1989
Trio Trieste
The International School of Chamber Music, led by the renowned Trio di Trieste — pianist Dario De Rosa, violinist Renato Zanettovich and cellist Amedeo Baldovino — was established at the College.
1993
Scalfaro - visit
President of the Republic Oscar Luigi Scalfaro honoured the College with a visit, underscoring the institution’s role in fostering international understanding and education for peace in Italy.
1996
San Giusto d’Oro
The College was honoured with the San Giusto d’Oro award at a ceremony in Trieste’s City Hall. Later that year, a College delegation was received at the Quirinale Palace in Rome by President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, highlighting Adriatic’s continued role in fostering international understanding.
1997
Labs - Romano Prodi
The Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi inaugurated the science labs dedicated to the Nobel Laureate for Medicine Rita Levi-Montalcini. In the same academic year, President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi inaugurated the Art centre, dedicated to the photographer Erich Hartmann.
2001
Queen Noor visit
Queen Noor of Jordan, President of the UWC movement, visited UWC Adriatic, where she toured the campus and engaged with students and staff.
2013
Three men in a black and white photo, each holding string instruments. The man on the left holds a cello, while the man on the right holds a violin. They are dressed in light-colored suits and are posing against a textured backdrop.
Following the passing of two of the original members of the Trio di Trieste, the chamber music school was renamed ‘International Chamber Music Academy’ under the musical direction of the Trio di Parma: Alberto Miodini (piano), Ivan Rabaglia (violin) and Enrico Bronzi (cello).
2015
International Chamber Music Academy Inaguration
In the presence of Italian President Sergio Mattarella, the International Chamber Music Academy was renamed the International Community Music Academy (ICMA), celebrating the diverse musical traditions embraced by the College community.
2018
Purnama - 2020
Purnama House, formerly the Duino Park Hotel, became the College’s seventh residence. Purchased by David Halpert (UWC Adriatic 1983-85) and generously donated to the UWC Stock Weinberg – Edward Sutcliffe Foundation, the building underwent significant renovation starting in 2020. With seventeen en-suite rooms and two apartments for teachers, Purnama House was officially inaugurated as a student residence in September 2022.
2022
Garden of the Righteous
In the residence of Villa Lucchese, the College inaugurated its Garden of the Righteous, dedicated to UWC alumnus Giulio Regeni. This student-led initiative, created in collaboration with the Garden of the Righteous Worldwide (GARIWO), honours individuals whose legacies serve as a source of inspiration for both the college and the local community in Duino.
2023
A group of women in traditional Eastern European attire are dancing and holding hands on a stage. The background features a mural of a scenic European street with arches and a sunset sky. An audience watches them perform.
On 30 September, UWC Adriatic celebrated its 40th anniversary with an opening ceremony in Venice and the launch of the UWC Adriatic Endowment Fund. The celebrations culminated in a gala dinner at the Procuratie Vecchie, headquarters of Generali’s The Human Safety Net, in St. Mark’s Square.

Power of Place

With a history spanning over 40 years, UWC Adriatic has developed connections with local institutions and associations, providing students with meaningful opportunities to both contribute to the community and benefit from its unique opportunities. 

Here, young people of promise and potential experience an educational journey where cultural diversity, outdoor challenges, and community engagement shape global citizens.

Image showing a castle perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. The castle features a mix of stone and yellow buildings with a prominent tower. The sky is clear with streaks of white clouds. Nearby trees with some autumn foliage frame the foreground.
UWC Adriatic
Frazione Duino 29, Italy
185
1982

Residences

 

 

Testimonies

The challenges of today and the future are undeniable. However, the UWC values we uphold daily and the impact of our educational model allow us to look confidently ahead.

Khalid El-Metaal

Rettore and Teacher – English
The UWC experience is valuable and powerful, because it gives students the chance every single day to question the far too simple definitions of nationality, culture and identity that can so often divide us.

Laura Summers

Teacher -English A and B
I am consistently blown away by the level of discourse, passion, and inclusion here at UWC Adriatic.

Matthew Marinec

UWC Adriatic Teacher – Philosophy
Being at UWC Adriatic is a truly inspirational experience. There is something to learn every day from every single student and colleague.

Enea Zaramella

Teacher – World Arts & Cultures
I enjoy working with motivated young people who want to take responsibility for being the change they want to see in the world.

Giulia Postal

Student Contact Officer & Sustainability Coordinator
At UWC Adriatic, students learn that asking for help is a sign of strength and essential for academic success.

Miriam Nash

UWC Adriatic Study Support & Learning Resources Coordinator