Champittet: A beacon of values in a changing world

Dear Champiteans,

In a touching conversation with a parent, he said : ‘In the tumult of today's world, I hope that Champittet can remain a school rooted in enduring values’. By tumult, he was referring to the current ‘tectonic’ changes in geopolitics, the spread of fake news, the estrangement of certain sections of the population from rational and scientific thought, the questioning of democracy and so on. He expressed the need for his children to learn and discover the world in a reassuring, calm and open environment. This father's vision underlines the fundamental challenge that my colleagues and I must take up. It goes to the heart of the matter, to the very spirit of the College. 

I'd like to reassure him. Champittet reads societal trends, but does not follow passing fads. Champittet aims to be a pioneer in selected areas, but takes the time to test its solutions. Champittet cultivates the fundamental human values of its founders, while adapting its curriculum to the needs of the world to come. The school avoids grand declarations of an ideological nature and adopts a pragmatic approach, in dialogue with its entire community of students, colleagues, parents and alumni.

In social matters, the College starts from the universal principle of respect for the human person, in all its variety and richness. It leaves private matters to the private domain. While debate is encouraged as a method of learning and exercising public speaking, excesses such as discrimination are not tolerated. 

Curiosity about the world, open-mindedness and the joy of learning are cultivated every day in what I sometimes call our garden.