Community stories

Follow what is happening in the IB's global community and read stories about IB students, graduates, schools and staff in action. We are proud to share these stories from all over the world as we celebrate the IB's 50th anniversary year.

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Carol Bellamy

The role of the IB in our complex world

In light of our 50th anniversary we got in touch with Carol Bellamy, chair of the IB Board of Governors between 2009 and 2015. Carol has dedicated her life working to make the world a better place, and in 2004 was named one of Forbes magazine's 100 Most Powerful Women in the World.

David Homer

"Don't lose your nerve!"

As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we asked David Homer—chair of our IB examining board—about the role that the IB can play in facing today’s challenges, and seek his advice for educators.

University partnership

Celebrating the work of the IB Educator Network

As the IB turns 50 this year, it shines a spotlight on the IB Educator Network (IBEN) which supports professional development throughout the organization. Read the interview with IBEN member Matthew Thomas where he stresses how vital the network is to the IB community as a whole.

Channel Challenge Team

Students swim the English Channel to raise over US$100,000

Theodosia Catsiapis, an IB Diploma Programme (DP) student at Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland created the T.E.Y.Y.A (To Empower Youth by Youth Action) charity to fund at least 100 obstetric fistula surgeries by swimming 33.2km across the English Channel.

Student artwork by Carol Rodriguez

Artwork makes IB learner profile personally meaningful

When IB Diploma Programme visual arts teacher Tamara Doleman asked her students to create a piece of art with the IB learner profile attributes that most exemplified their personalities, she was most impressed by how they took the challenge to a whole new level.

IB 50th anniversary logo

A pioneer educator

As the IB celebrates its 50th anniversary, we speak to Chancellor Stephen Spahn, who shares the same milestone, about how an innovative mindset is key to a school’s success.

Music teacher ARIA award

Music teacher hits high note after secret student nomination

Renée, a teacher at Woodcroft College in Australia inspires her students so much with her teaching that they secretly nominated her for the prestigious ARIA Music Teacher of the Year Award, and she won! Read about her passion for music, teaching and professional development in our interview.

Becoming an IB World School

Making eAssessments accessible for all students

An MYP student with a visual impairment has excelled in the MYP eAssessment as a result of adaptations to the onscreen exam environment. The IB’s Dr Kala Parasuram explains how making the examinations accessible was an important learning experience for all teams involved.

Library DP

My experience of TOK

DP student Sea Yun Joung shares his experience of Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and how the course makes an IB education unique and benefits him as a lifelong learner.

Children in class

Newly launched programme tells the story of the IB's global community to mark 50th anniversary

The International Baccalaureate (IB) and ITN Productions have launched ‘A Better World Through Education,’ a news and current affairs-style programme which explores how IB programmes have been preparing children for life, allowing young minds to flourish across multiple disciplines and multiple cultures.

George Rupp

George Rupp, Chair of the IB Board of Governors

As we approach a milestone in the history of the IB - our 50th anniversary – we’ll be speaking to many members of our worldwide community to hear their views on the role of the IB in our increasingly complex world and where they would like to see the IB heading in the next 50 years. To kick-start this series, we spoke to George Rupp, Chair of IB Board of Governors.

Woman with plant in her hands

Leading economist works to reduce global poverty

One of the first people in the world to study the IB Diploma Programme was Shanta Devarajan, Senior Director for Development Economics at the World Bank. Shanta works to end extreme poverty in some of the most deprived parts of the world.

Hands together

Raising awareness of humanitarian causes

A graduate of the United World College of the Adriatic in Italy, Marina Catena works with European governments and foundations as director of the World Food Programme.

Pupils with teacher

A lifelong love of language learning

Rosetta Stone CEO Tom Adams studied at St. Clares, Oxford, where the IB Diploma Programme opened his eyes to the power of multilingualism. 

Swimmer

The Swim for Life project

The United Nations International School of Hin Hanoi, Vietnam, launched a swimming programme in 2006 with the Ministry of Education and Training to help combat a public health issue. Up to 100 children learn to swim through the programme each academic year, empowering the community and students alike.

Children with globe

Why international education is needed now more than ever

The IB aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who will help create a more peaceful world. So if everyone were internationally-educated, would the world be a better place? Here, Robert Harrison from the IB talks about the important role education plays in creating a beacon of hope and positive change for the next generation.

Children laughing in class

The power of social and emotional learning

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) aims to prepare students to participate effectively in the world around them, which includes developing their social and emotional competencies. In this feature, former teacher Jenny Mosley looks at how her ‘Golden Model’ of learning supports this aim.