Regional Centre of Expertise Saskatchewan

Regional Centre of Expertise

SaskatchewanThe Saskatchewan Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (SK RCE on ESD) seeks to transform education for sustainability in our region.

RCE OverviewRCE Overview

RCE (defined): Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development

RCE Initiative Developed by the United Nations University (UNU) RCEs advance the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development

(DESD; 2005-2014)

RCEs are networks of formal, non-formal, and informal educational and other institutions mobilized to deliver and research ESD at regional (sub-national) and local levels

RCEs advance the DESD by translating its global objectives into regional contexts


Stages in the Evolution of the Global RCE Community

Development of RCE concept

Establishment of the first 7 RCEs

Number of RCEs growing;Beginning of Inter-RCE collaboration

Emergence of operational thematic working groups

Discussion of assessment models

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

7 23 56 62







2004 2005 2006 2007 2008







2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

7 23 56 627 23 56 62


2011

8383


Connect Locally, Regionally, and Globally for ESD

www.saskrce.ca


http://www.saskrce.ca/

Regional Centre of Expertise - Saskatchewan

Environmental Learning and Sustainability in Canada defines the three types of education as follows:

Formal Education: Education through the school systems from kindergarten to the end of high school as well as some aspects in colleges and universities.

Non-formal Education: Public awareness activities by organizations outside of the school system (eg. Environmental Street Theatre).

Informal Education: Educational activities provided by media (eg. documentaries on radio and television)



Six Thematic Issues:

Climate Change Health Farming and Local Food Production, Consumption, and Waste

Minimization Reconnecting to Natural Prairie Ecosystems Supporting Bridging Cultures for Sustainable Living and Community



Underlying Features of RCE Model:

Education as an ongoing process that includes both formal and informal education

Centrality of institutions of higher education (IHEs) in ESD ESD programs must be locally relevant and culturally appropriate Enable collaboration among local organizations engaged in ESD and

between global RCEs Integrating knowledge for ESD



Focus of RCE on Regional Sustainability Issues:

Goal of integrating environmental, social and economic perspectives simultaneously

This integration is accomplished by: Identifying challenges of sustainability faced by a region Examining how each learning activity initiated by the RCE addresses

particular sustainability challenges Integrating what is learned back into traditional disciplines (e.g., use of local

examples in science, mathematics, etc.)



Core Elements of RCEs:

Governance and sustainability of RCE (vision, goals, assessment, reporting)

Collaboration (vertical, horizontal, and lateral) Research and development in ESD (documentation,

innovation, efficiency) Transformative education (in relation to sustainable living and

livelihoods in region)



Transformative Expectations/ESD Outcomes of SK RCE :

Literacy and access to quality basic education for all within the region

Identification of key issues of sustainability and sustainability projects in the region

Open networks for knowledge sharing Public awareness about sustainability in the region Ongoing opportunities for collaborative work on ESD projects Integration of sustainability into formal education curricula



Further ESD Outcomes:

Formal linkages promoting ESD between organizations Identification of current research in ESD and coordination of

new ESD research projects Development and incorporation of science and technology for

ESD Acknowledgement and celebration of success Ongoing advocacy for ESD outcomes


Documents

Regional Centre of Expertise Saskatchewan