EAUC Annual Conference 2010
Workshop – Wednesday 24th March United Nations University Regional Centres
of Expertise in Sustainability EducationAidan Doyle - RCE North EastCarol Rabbette – RCE SevernYvonne Jones – RCE Wales
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
Workshop Outline• 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 forwardEAUC 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: – 1. Governance– 2. Collaboration– 3. Research and development– 4. Transformative education
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
Global Learning space• The worldwide network of RCEs constitutes the
Global Learning Space for Sustainable Development
• 74 RCEs around the world March 2010:– 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
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
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
RCE North East• Background • Opportunities
• Challenges
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
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]
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
RCE Severn OpportunitiesTo build capacity to implement change to address
global and local sustainability challenges
• 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 regionRCE 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
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
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 Initiatives4. Media and
Communications
Social and Environmental
JusticeLow
Carbon Economy
Well Trained
Workforce
Resilient Communities
Engaging with businesses
Carbon Reduction
Transition Universities
Sustainable Food
Climate Change
Adaptation
Citizenship Skills
Knowledge creativity and application
Embedding sustainability
into the curriculum
Multi-modal learning through
digital media
Employability and green
skills
Joined-up thinking
RCE SEVERN – Core Values, Key Outcomes and Vehicles for Change
CORE VALUES
KEY OUTCOMES
VEHICLES FOR CHANGE
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
Flagship projectsSoundings 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
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
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
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
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
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]
RCE WalesFacilitating 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
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
RCE Wales• An open network of ESDGC stakeholders
• Stakeholders – anyone interested or active in ESDGC including: FHE, Local Authorities, NGOs, businesses, WBL, schools…
• Research – pedagogy, impact
• Develop – projects, embedding processes
• 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!
EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop
RCE Wales at work
• 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
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