EAUC Annual Conference 2010 Workshop – Wednesday 24 th 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 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: –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 : 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

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

EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop RCE Severn Opportunities To 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 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

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 Initiatives 4.Media and Communications

EAUC Conference 2010 – RCE Workshop Flagship projects Soundings in Sustainability - November 2008 Event to generate insights into the sustainability skills required for graduates in the 21 st century 'The Handbook of Sustainability Literacy: skills for a changing world’,see 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 – 3 rd 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

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

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, % 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