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
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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
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
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 56 627 23 56 62
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2011
8383
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Connect Locally, Regionally, and Globally for ESD
www.saskrce.ca
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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)
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Regional Centre of Expertise - Saskatchewan
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
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Regional Centre of Expertise - Saskatchewan
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
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Regional Centre of Expertise - Saskatchewan
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.)
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Regional Centre of Expertise - Saskatchewan
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)
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Regional Centre of Expertise - Saskatchewan
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
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Regional Centre of Expertise - Saskatchewan
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
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