RCE Saskatchewan-2014
Allow for upload of relevant evaluation documents :
a) Criteria/ indicators used to assess aspects of RCE work/ project: Character count 300 words:
On May 7, 2014, RCE Saskatchewan held its annual “RCE Gathering” entitled “Moving Forward in Regional ESD: Assessing Past, Present, and Future” focussed on assessing the first 7 years of the RCE and setting future directions. 3 key questions were explored in small groups built on the assessment frameworks circulated by the UN University:
(1) What are important areas for focused work of RCE SK in advancing regional Education for Sustainable Development (ESD; for example, improving communication and promotion of regional ESD activities, advocacy for ESD)? What might be some indicators of success and foreseeable challenges needing to be overcome for each area of focused work?
(2) What are some strategies for more active collaboration among RCE partners, attracting new partners and mobilization of inkind and financial resources for regional ESD and RCE activities? Is there a role for more formalized participation and commitments with RCE partners (for example, MOUs, identification of specific contributions etc.)?
(3) How can we build upon and advance RCE Saskatchewan's governance structures? For example, how might we develop a more formalized RCE structure (such as a steering committee & secretariat), further support for RCE volunteers (including volunteer management and recognition and support), and further support for RCE Partner ESD activities, and community/local ESD activities?
(1) What are important areas for focused work of RCE SK in advancing regional Education for Sustainable Development (ESD; for example, improving communication and promotion of regional ESD activities, advocacy for ESD)? What might be some indicators of success and foreseeable challenges needing to be overcome for each area of focused work?
(2) What are some strategies for more active collaboration among RCE partners, attracting new partners and mobilization of inkind and financial resources for regional ESD and RCE activities? Is there a role for more formalized participation and commitments with RCE partners (for example, MOUs, identification of specific contributions etc.)?
(3) How can we build upon and advance RCE Saskatchewan's governance structures? For example, how might we develop a more formalized RCE structure (such as a steering committee & secretariat), further support for RCE volunteers (including volunteer management and recognition and support), and further support for RCE Partner ESD activities, and community/local ESD activities?
b) Successes of the RCE and lessons learned: Character count 300 words:
Successes of the RCE since its inception were documented as follows:
(1) RCE SK recognition of ESD in the region through its 6 recognition events (Craik (2008), Humboldt (2009), Moose Jaw (2011), Regina (2012), Nipawin (2013), Regina (2014)) where approximately 20 projects were recognized each year. Further recognition took place with the formal patronage of RCE Saskatchewan by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan in 2012. A student-led creation of a database of ESD projects and map, and the development of both the main RCE Saskatchewan website (www.saskrce.ca) and the RCE's K-12 ESD site (www.rceed.ca) all further highlight ESD projects in the region.
(2) Development of ESD networking conferences: The RCE participated and helped co-organize a number of ESD conferences in the region in collaboration with its partners. Events were held in Saskatoon (2009), Regina/Nipawin/Craik/Saskatoon (2010), Elkridge (2011), Regina (2012), Nipawin (2013), and Regina (2014).
(3) Collaborative networking within the Americas by RCE SK, including the hosting of the 1st RCE Conference of the Americas in Regina in 2008, participation in the 2nd RCE Conference of the Americas in Lima, Peru in 2013, and planned participation in the upcoming 3rd RCE Conference of the Americas in Autlan, Mexico, in July/August 2014 (being hosted by RCE Western Jalisco). Additional participation of RCE Saskatchewan in 2 of the Americas Youth Virtual Conferences hosted by RCE Grand Rapids (in 2013 focusing on water and 2014 on food security), and RCE participation at the last 7 Global RCE Conferences organized by the UN University (Penang (2007), Barcelona (2008), Montreal (2009), Curitiba (2010), Kerkrade (2011), Tongyeong (2012), and Nairobi (2013) and various UN and UNESCO conferences in New York, Bonn, and Quebec City.
(3) RCE facilitation of multi-community regional visits to Saskatchewan by colleagues from other RCEs since its inception including visits by Dr. Charles Hopkins since 2005, RCE Greater Western Sydney (2012 & 2013) and RCE Tongyeong (2013).
(4) RCE Saskatchewan research and advocacy including RCE peer review of other RCE applications for the UN University, letters of support for RCE partners, and formal policy submissions to the Government of Saskatchewan. and RCE SK formal publications (including UN University publications, submissions to the RCE Bulletin, annual reporting to UNU Website, and scholarly journals) along with documentation of ESD projects and flagship projects and RCE conferences held in the region.
[see attached document outlining benefits of RCE listed by organizational partners and members]
(1) RCE SK recognition of ESD in the region through its 6 recognition events (Craik (2008), Humboldt (2009), Moose Jaw (2011), Regina (2012), Nipawin (2013), Regina (2014)) where approximately 20 projects were recognized each year. Further recognition took place with the formal patronage of RCE Saskatchewan by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan in 2012. A student-led creation of a database of ESD projects and map, and the development of both the main RCE Saskatchewan website (www.saskrce.ca) and the RCE's K-12 ESD site (www.rceed.ca) all further highlight ESD projects in the region.
(2) Development of ESD networking conferences: The RCE participated and helped co-organize a number of ESD conferences in the region in collaboration with its partners. Events were held in Saskatoon (2009), Regina/Nipawin/Craik/Saskatoon (2010), Elkridge (2011), Regina (2012), Nipawin (2013), and Regina (2014).
(3) Collaborative networking within the Americas by RCE SK, including the hosting of the 1st RCE Conference of the Americas in Regina in 2008, participation in the 2nd RCE Conference of the Americas in Lima, Peru in 2013, and planned participation in the upcoming 3rd RCE Conference of the Americas in Autlan, Mexico, in July/August 2014 (being hosted by RCE Western Jalisco). Additional participation of RCE Saskatchewan in 2 of the Americas Youth Virtual Conferences hosted by RCE Grand Rapids (in 2013 focusing on water and 2014 on food security), and RCE participation at the last 7 Global RCE Conferences organized by the UN University (Penang (2007), Barcelona (2008), Montreal (2009), Curitiba (2010), Kerkrade (2011), Tongyeong (2012), and Nairobi (2013) and various UN and UNESCO conferences in New York, Bonn, and Quebec City.
(3) RCE facilitation of multi-community regional visits to Saskatchewan by colleagues from other RCEs since its inception including visits by Dr. Charles Hopkins since 2005, RCE Greater Western Sydney (2012 & 2013) and RCE Tongyeong (2013).
(4) RCE Saskatchewan research and advocacy including RCE peer review of other RCE applications for the UN University, letters of support for RCE partners, and formal policy submissions to the Government of Saskatchewan. and RCE SK formal publications (including UN University publications, submissions to the RCE Bulletin, annual reporting to UNU Website, and scholarly journals) along with documentation of ESD projects and flagship projects and RCE conferences held in the region.
[see attached document outlining benefits of RCE listed by organizational partners and members]
c) Challenges experiences: Character count 300 words:
(1) Need for Increased Knowledge of Sustainable Development Issues in our Region and Promotion Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at all levels
(2) Opportunity for Increased collaborations between schools and community organizations facilitated by the RCE
(3) Need for further strategic engagement with business, government, and community organizations and promotion of ESD through the media
(4) Need for more centralized location for contact points of key players to facilitate good communication
(5) Need for development of active collaboration strategies and a communication strategy
(6) Potential for more formalized participation and financial support of the RCE
(7) Focus on strengthening current structures before adding additional layers of administration or governance
(8) Potential for new structures related to communications, outreach, and specific events
[see attached document providing further details for each area]
(2) Opportunity for Increased collaborations between schools and community organizations facilitated by the RCE
(3) Need for further strategic engagement with business, government, and community organizations and promotion of ESD through the media
(4) Need for more centralized location for contact points of key players to facilitate good communication
(5) Need for development of active collaboration strategies and a communication strategy
(6) Potential for more formalized participation and financial support of the RCE
(7) Focus on strengthening current structures before adding additional layers of administration or governance
(8) Potential for new structures related to communications, outreach, and specific events
[see attached document providing further details for each area]
