Before accepting the position of UWC Dilijan Headmistress, Denise Davidson was Head of Gateways School in Leeds, Great Britain, for 12 years, Deputy Head of Mount St Mary's School near Sheffield and Senior Mistress of Oundle Public School. She brought to UWC Dilijan nearly forty years of experience working in and inspecting schools and colleges in the UK and involvement in education at an international level. We talked to her about personal commitment, overcoming cultural differences and the impact of education.

What do you think about the mission of Aurora Prize and Gratitude in Action?

Well, how could I not be absolutely committed to the whole idea? As an educationalist, working with young people, especially in UWC, where they are committed to the future of the world and its sustainability, Aurora is all about it, isn't it? Our mission at school and the mission of Aurora fit so well together. We are preparing our young people to step into the future and make sure that the issues that Aurora is tackling today bring resolutions, because can talk about it forever, but we need our young people to start to implement the actions we talk about. I am absolutely committed.

What role does education have when it comes to empathy and compassion?

Here in UWC we have that special significance that says we are not just one nation. We have 73 different nationalities working here, in this college. Once we are working, once the educational process is taking place, then they are learning from each other what compassion is. They are learning on the ground. It is not just in a book, it not just in a lecture, it is actually learning to live together. And we believe that if we learn to live together at this stage – to understand each other's differences, each other’s problems, each other's triumphs, and share them at this stage, then as they grow into the future they will be the people that lead us into a better world. That is what I believe, that’s why I am here.

Which is the most pressing global humanitarian issue?

There are many, of course there are. But, I suppose, the refugee problem is the most pressing, because it affects us all. We can't stand back, we can't say that it is not our problem, we can't do that. We all must respond to this enormous problem that our world is now facing, of refugees trying to find a life that is worth living.

Is there a way to teach people to understand each other’s culture and be able to live and work together?

We have to believe that, we have to. Of course there is. It is how you go about it. Of course, we can have win-win, we can live together. We prove it. Every day we prove you can live together. Naturally, they have disagreements, they have tantrums, but as you see they have learnt so much of and from each other. I think that is what all we must do: we must stop being determinately nationalistic. You don't lose your national identity. It is very important, it is hereditary. But it does not take superior importance, it takes its part in our appreciation of each and one of us. And that is what education is about.