Transcript United Nations University Regional Centres of Expertise in

EAUC Annual Conference 2010
Workshop – Wednesday 24th March
United Nations University Regional Centres
of Expertise in Sustainability Education
Aidan Doyle - RCE North East
Carol Rabbette – RCE Severn
Yvonne Jones – RCE Wales
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
Workshop Outline
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The global network of RCEs
RCEs in the UK
RCE North East
RCE Severn
RCE Wales
The EU perspective
Opportunities for involvement in RCEs
The way forward
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
The UNU network of RCEs
• RCEs are acknowledged by the United Nations
University
• A RCE is a network of existing formal, non-formal
and informal education organisations, mobilised to
ESD to local and regional communities.
• A RCE should have four elements:
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1. Governance
2. Collaboration
3. Research and development
4. Transformative education
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Global Learning space
• The worldwide network of RCEs constitutes
the Global Learning Space for Sustainable
Development
• 74 RCEs around the world March 2010:
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12 in Africa
28 in the Asia Pacific region
23 in Europe and Middle East
8 in North and Central America
3 in South America and Caribbean
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
RCEs in the UK
6 RCEs established in the UK 2007-9:
• RCE East Midlands
• RCE North East
• RCE Severn
• RCE Yorkshire and Humberside
• RCE Wales
• RCE London
Gaps – North West, Eastern
and South East
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
RCE North East
• Background
• Opportunities
• Challenges
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RCE Severn
Promoting transformational learning
and change in the West Midlands
and South West
• Inaugural meeting October 2008
• Hosted by University of
Gloucestershire, based in
Cheltenham
• Part-time coordinator in post since
March 2009
• Email [email protected]
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RCE Severn Opportunities
To build capacity to implement change to address
global and local sustainability challenges
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A consortium of 95 partner organisations, spanning two
administrative regions of the UK
Facilitating shared learning across a range of sectors (HE
and FE; businesses; schools; NGO and charities; local
government and media)
Collaborating on joint projects and fund-raising initiatives
Supporting opportunities for volunteering and work
placements
Complementing and adding value to existing networks
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
RCE Severn – the region
RCE named after the River Severn,
the longest river in the UK
• West Midlands
– Population of 5.3 million
– Industrial heartland of the UK
• The South West
– Population of 4.9 million
– Large rural area with attractive
coastline
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Management Structure
• Steering Group and Terms of Reference approved
March 2009
• Representatives from 6 sectors sit on Steering Group
• Four working Groups established July 2009:
1. Businesses and
sustainability
2. Young People and
Sustainable Schools
3. Local Food Initiatives
4. Media and
Communications
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
Climate
Change
Adaptation
Sustainable
Food
VEHICLES
FOR CHANGE
Citizenship
Skills
Resilient
Communities
Embedding
sustainability
into the
curriculum
KEY OUTCOMES
Joined-up
thinking
CORE VALUES
Transition
Universities
Multi-modal
learning
through
digital media
Social and
Environmental
Low
Well
Justice
Carbon
Trained
Economy
Workforce
Knowledge
creativity and
application
Carbon
Reduction
Engaging with
businesses
RCE SEVERN – Core
Values, Key Outcomes and
Vehicles for Change
Employability
and green
skills
Flagship projects
Soundings in Sustainability - November 2008
• Event to generate insights into the sustainability skills
required for graduates in the 21st century
• 'The Handbook of Sustainability Literacy: skills for a
changing world’ ,see http://sustainability-literacy.org/
Student Engagement Forum – November 2009
• National forum to share good practice to improve student engagement in
sustainability within higher education
• Leading to UoG action plan and academic publication
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RCE Severn - Challenges
• No core funding for projects
• Everyone too busy doing the day job to come
up with new project ideas
• Difficult to add value
• Limited involvement of HE and FE sectors
• Very large geographical area
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RCE Wales
A Regional Centre of Expertise on
Education for Sustainable
Development
and Global Citizenship
(ESDGC)
RCE Severn – 3rd European meeting at Graz, December 2009
RCE Wales - establishment
• Initial consultative meetings Nov 2008
• SG set up; application supported by the Welsh
Assembly Government and the Higher Education
Funding Council for Wales
• Application submitted Jun 2009
• RCE Wales established Feb 2010
• Secretariat hosted by Swansea University
• Managed by Swansea University’s ESDGC team
• Email [email protected]
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
RCE Wales
Facilitating collaboration to research, develop and
promote ESDGC, so that this learning is central to the
emergence of a sustainable Wales
RCE Wales’ work should:
• Add value to existing activities
• Be collaborative and transformative
• Include a research component
• Share learning about ESDGC practice
RCE Wales
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An open network of ESDGC stakeholders
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Stakeholders – anyone interested or active in
ESDGC including: FHE, Local Authorities, NGOs,
businesses, WBL, schools…
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Research – pedagogy, impact
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Develop – projects, embedding processes
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Promote – communication, advocacy
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
RCE Wales – the region
• 160 miles (258 km) long, 60 miles
(97 km) wide.
• Population 4 million approx.
• Welsh Language speakers 500,000
- 18.5%
• Devolved government since 1999
(WAG)
• Predominantly rural
• Rich cultural heritage
• Industrial history that is significant
on a world scale.
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
RCE Wales Organisation
• Secretariat currently carried by Swansea University
ESDGC Team
• Regular SG meetings
• Representatives from different sectors sit on Steering
Group
• WAG and HEFCW observers
• Terms of Reference approved
• EDEN and the website
• Next – formation of the working groups!
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RCE Wales at work
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The Dyfi Footprint Project
Welsh Fisheries Predator Project
Real World Learning Cymru Partnership
Sustainable Development community Toolkit
Water in the 21st Century', the ‘Dream of
Water Game
• ClimArt
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
RCE Wales - Challenges
• Lack of core funding
• Effective and sustainable engagement of wide
range of stakeholders
• Insecure , short-term or projectised ESDGC
funding
• ESDGC processes complex
• RCE concept poorly understood; RCEs invisible
• Limited stakeholder capacity for involvement
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
The European Union Perspective
• 23 RCEs in the EU
• EU RCE conferences held annually
• Seeking to create a EU association of RCEs to
coordinate activities across the EU
• Scope to bid for EU funding, using RCE
network to find partners
• Platform for joint projects
• Copernicus Alliance
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
Opportunities for involvement in
RCEs
Discussion:
• How can HE institutions benefit?
• How can individuals benefit?
• How can RCEs become more visible?
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
Thank you