2012 News Archive

RCE Yokohama Youth Project Competition

On 11 November 2012, RCE Yokohama university students organized “HAMACON 2012”, a youth project competition among students who engage in environmental conservation activities. The projects werassessed by a committee consisting of members from Yokohama City Council, educational institutions, and NGOs based in Yokohama. Prominent companies such as Nissan and NTT were also partners in the event. Forty students from six universities presented their environment-related projects, discussing them with more senior and experienced participants. Through the event, the RCE Yokohama youth network actively engaged in the issue, creating theirown innovative local projects toward a sustainable society.

(posted 27 Dec)
 
International Mountain Day Celebrations
The 10th anniversary of the International Mountain Day (IMD) was celebrated by CEE Himalaya (Centre for Environment Education, India) across the three Himalayan states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand simultaneously with partners. Above 300 students, 50 teachers and concerned citizens shared their views on challenges being faced by people and discussed concerns pertaining to development in Himalaya Mountains. Read more by clicking here.
(posted 19 Dec)
 
2012 Global Citizens’ Conference on DESD and ESD Theme Conference held back-to-back in Tokyo on 27-28 November
After the announcement that the UNESCO World Conference on ESD in 2014 would be held in Japan, Japanese ESD stakeholders began exchanging case studies and deliberating a path forward beyond 2014. The Global Citizens Conference on DESD 2012 and the subsequent ESD Theme Conference were opportunities for Japanese NGOs and the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to continue those discussions. More than 200 researchers and practitioners took part in in the Global Citizens Conference and more than 150 in the ESD Theme Conference. UNU-IAS coordinated a session on “Education for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change”, which highlighted several cases for building a resilient society toward natural disasters and rapid climate change, such as the case of the Tohoku region after the March 11 earthquake. Ms. Yoko Mochizuki, UNESCO , Dr. Kartikeya Sarabhai, CEE, Prof. Takaaki Koganezawa, RCE Greater Sendai and Ms. Tomoko Shibao, Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU) also shared their activities toward DRR and Climate Change. Overall, ESD was presented as a problem-solving networking model that could contribute to rebuilding resilient societies by sharing the lessons learned at the local level with the global community.
(posted 18 Dec)
 
RCE Hamburg ESD project, BauNachhaltig (BuildSustainable), receives ‘Official German Project of the UN Decade’ honor from the German Commission for UNESCO
The German Commission for UNESCO (DUK) has recognised BauNachhaltig for its outstanding engagement with the UN Decade “Education for sustainable development”. The project may now be officially named “Official project of the UN Decade Education for sustainable development” for 2013 and 2014. Coordinated by Ausbildungszentrum-Bau in Hamburg, the project reflects the effort of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) to support education for sustainable development. BauNachhaltig also receives financial support from the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). To read more, click here or contact Jens Schwarz jens.schwarz@azb-hamburg.de
(posted 18 Dec)
 
New Report: Education For Sustainable Development Country Status Reports
This report was developed as part of a series of three research publications on the research project led by UNU-IAS and IGES on monitoring and evaluation of education for sustainable development, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. This report specifically focuses on the study of ESD implementation at a national level and tries to identify the important success factors and leverage points in ensuring effective ESD systems. The information contained here within is based on primary research collected in collaboration with national ESD focal points from seven countries in East and Southeast Asia based on the main data collection method of the ESD country status surveys and supported by additional information collected during the two reporting and capacity building workshops. To read and download the reporthttp://youthconnect.climateofconcern.org/ download the flyer click here.
(posted 22 Nov)
 
New Report: Assessment Of Learning Performance In Education For Sustainable Development
This report was developed as part of a series of three research publications on the research project led by UNU-IAS and IGES on monitoring and evaluation of education for sustainable development, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. This report specifically focuses on the assessment of ESD learning performance. The information contained here within is based on primary research collected in collaboration with eleven Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) on ESD from countries in East and Southeast Asia based on the main data collection method of good practice case reporting and supported by additional information collected during the two reporting and capacity building workshops. To read and download the reporthttp://youthconnect.climateofconcern.org/ download the flyer click here.
(posted 22 Nov)
 
Youth Unite for Voluntary Action 2013
YUVA 2013 will be held in Delhi, India from 28-29 January 2013 in conjunction with the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (http://dsds.teriin.org/2013/). An RCE Youth Session will also be organized following the YUVA meet on 30 January 2013. The registration deadline is 3 December 2012. To find out more, please visit the websitehttp://youthconnect.climateofconcern.org/ download the flyer here. For those interested in registering for the conference, you can also download the registration form anddownload the travel support request.
(posted 19 Nov)
 
Mountan Day 2
Mountain Day is organized each year during the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC to help build consensus and develop a common position among mountain stakeholders regarding mountain-specific climate change issues and solutions. Mountain Day 2 will take place on 3 December 2012 in Doha. It will be an occasion to share scientific and practical information and knowledge to advocate the mountain agenda to the UNFCCC negotiators. To find out more, download the flyer here.
(posted 19 Nov)
 
The 5th ASEAN+3 Leadership Programme on Sustainable Production and Consumption
The ASEAN+3 Leadership Programme on SPC, which was hosted locally by the Government of the Philippines through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in collaboration with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, is an innovative collaboration between three UN agencies – UNU-IAS, UNIDO and UNEP, and the ASEAN Secretariat. The innovative aspect of the programme is three-fold – joint preparation of learning materials, longer-term planning (commitment to follow up the projects proposed in the course of the programme), and sharing of resource persons. Read more about the event  here.
(posted 7 Nov)
 
Capacity Development and Training Workshop for African RCE Coordinators
A capacity development and training workshop for RCE coordinators was held at Rhodes University, South Africa from 7-9 September 2012. Coordinators from a total of 13 RCEs and 4 potential ones participated in the event, which UNU-IAS facilitated in collaboration with the Southern African Development Community Regional Environmental Education Programme (SADC-REEP) and RCE Makana. The workshop is part of a broader capacity development programme aimed at strengthening capabilities of RCEs to deliver ESD. Read more about the workshop here.
(posted 7 Nov)
 
RCE Yogyakarta Supports Implementation of Sustainable Development on Agro-forestry-based Food and Medicine Industries
RCE Yogyakarta conducted a workshop on Managing Indonesia Agro-Forestry 
towards Sustainable Consumption and Production. The workshop was held in conjunction with the 1st In
donesia Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development Meeting. The main objectives of this workshop were 1) to inform and share current practices, policies and problems of development of agro-forestry-based Community Empowerment Centers 2) to improve design on research and development on commercial food and herbal medicines 3) to develop collaborative research and action programs based on community empowerment. Read more about the workshop here
(posted 7 Nov)
 
The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) World of Difference 100 Awards
RCE Kyrgyzstan’s Chinara Sadykova has been selected as a 2012TIAW World of Difference 100 Award recipient! Each year, The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) World ofDifference 100 Awards recognize extraordinary women and men from around the world who have contributed to theeconomic empowerment of women. As an award recipient, Chinara was honored at the 2012 TIAW World ofDifference 100 Awards Dinner held October 18, 2012 as part of theTIAW Global Forum at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC. For more information about the awards, visit theTIAW website.
(posted 26 Oct)
 
Regional Centres of Expertise adopt the RCE Declaration on Education for Sustainable Development!
On the occasion of the 7th Global RCE Conference held in Tongyeong, Republic of Korea from 21-24 September 2012, the global community of Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCEs) came together to express their ongoing commitment to promoting education for sustainable development (ESD) through the adoption of the RCE Declaration on ESD. Read the full text of the Declaration by clicking here .
(posted 25 Oct)
 
COP11 Side Event: RCEs and BIODIVERSITY - Local Solutions Linking Education and Implementation
A meeting of selected RCEs from across the Asia Pacific region was organized by the UNU-IAS as a side event during the COP - XI held at Hyderabad in October 2012. The meeting shared experiences and best practices derived from a range of case studies that highlighted the work of the different RCEs within their areas of operation. Read the report from the side event by clicking here .
(posted 25 Oct)
 
7th Global RCE Conference Minutes Posted
The 7th Global RCE Conference was held in Tongyeong, the Republic of Korea, from 21 to 24 September 2012. The Conference looked to the end of the Decade on Education for Sustainable Development in 2014 and beyond, providing a vision for the future and generating the momentum needed to make that vision a reality. Available powerpoints and presentations are posted below. You can download the full minutes by clicking here .
(posted 25 Oct)
 
RCE Makana hosts a capacity development event for African RCEs
Since 2011, the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) in collaboration with the Southern African Development Community Regional Environmental Education Programme (SADC-REEP) has been implementing a capacity development programme for African RCEs. Under this initiative, RCE Makana hosted a capacity development and training workshop for 22 African RCE coordinators at Rhodes University, South Africa on 7-9 September 2012. Notably, the capacity development event coincided with the 30th Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa (EEASA) Conference that took place at Rhodes University from 11-14 September 2012. RCE coordinators from the SACD countries stayed on after the capacity development event to attend and celebrate the EEASA Conference. For more details about the capacity development event, please click here .
(posted 10 Oct)
 
COP 11 Side Event: RCEs and Biodiversity - Local Solutions Linking Education and Implementation
Bio-cultural diversity has emerged as an important component of education for sustainable development (ESD). ESD principles like value orientation, transformative education, cooperation, problem-solving, participatory action, holistic perspectives and self-organization are integral for conserving, revitalizing and sustainably using biological and cultural resources. 
 
On 8 October at the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP 11), the ESD Programme will organize a side event to highlight cross-sectoral, multistakeholder partnerships, good practices and pilot models from RCEs worldwide that successfully engage communities in the sustainable use or conservation of local bio-culturaldiversity. To find out more about the event  please click here .
(posted 1 Oct)
 
Towards Sustainable Livelihoods and Consumption & Production Through ESD
To build a socially just economy and a more sustainable society, our consumption and production systems must become more sustainable -- not only in terms of market growth and resilience, but also in terms of productive non-market relations, ecosystem health, quality of life and the well-being of all involved. The Education for Sustainable Development programme at UNU-IAS has just published a book of case studies, showcasing groundbreaking education for sustainable development (ESD) initiatives that address some of the greatest challenges we face in moving to more sustainable consumption and production systems. They stem from the work of the Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE). Please click here to download the book.
(posted 17 Sep)
 
Young Researchers' School: Student Voices
This year's ProSPER.Net Young Researchers’ School is focused on 'Building a Resilient Society in Asia', and on policies and projects that promote health, well-being, poverty eradication, social entrepreneurship, urban development and disaster management. Fourteen students will attend the two-week school, hosted this year by Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. We've asked a few of the students to share their expectations, reflections and overall feedback from YRS 2012. Read more by clicking on the YRS:Student Voices page .
(posted 12 Sep)
 
Collaborative Learning Centres Set the Scene for a Green Society
Check out the latest article that features the work of our Regional Centres of Expertise Collaborative Learning Centres Set the Scene for a Green Society , authored by Aurea Tanaka and Zinaida Fadeeva of UNU-IAS.
(posted 9 Sep)
 
International Conference on Biodiversity Conservation and Education for Sustainable Development
This Conference is the fourth in the Series of International Conferences organised by India as part of its contribution to United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD 2005-2014). As the nodal agency for the UNDESD in India, this Conference is being organized by the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) for the Ministry ofHuman Resource Development, Government of India (MHRD-GOI), on 13 - 14 October, 2012, Saturday and Sunday at Hyderabad, India. For more information, please click here .
(posted 5 Sep)
 
The Volvo Adventure: for, by, and with the environment
Young people deserve global recognition for their environmental work at a local level. Each year the partnership between UNEP and Volvo, supported by UNESCO and the World Scout Organisation does this. The Volvo Adventure recognises and commends many projects run and organised by young people around the world. Over 400 completed entries were received from over 45 countries. To find out more about the winners and to see how you can be involved in the next competition, click here .
(posted 26 Aug)

Winners of the 2012 Young Scientist Award announced
The Prosper.Net-Scopus Young Scientist Award in Sustainable Development is given annually to young scientists or researchers, based in the Asia-Pacific region, who have made significant contributions in the area of Sustainable Development. The award is open to those researchers who completed their Ph.D. recently (within a span of 5 years) and are engaged in graduate education and research activities that emphasize sustainable development.
For 2012, awards were given in Sustainable Infrastructure, Sustainable Consumption and Production, and Health with a Focus on Poverty Eradication. The three winners and six runners-up presented their research at a symposium held at the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan, on 11 July 2012, and were honoured with awards the same day. For more information, click here .
(posted 27 Jul)
 
5th Asia-Pacific RCE Meeting
The 5th Meeting of Asia-Pacific RCEs is being held in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan from 16-18 July. At the meeting, participants will address a number of key issues facing the region, such as disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and education. RCEs are also expected to discuss operational issues relating to the work of the RCEs in the region, as well as highlight best practices from RCE collaborative projects. Download a copy of the tentative programme here  and a copy of the flyer for the International Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in the Perspective of Education for Sustainable Development by clicking here .  For more information, contact the RCE Service Centre at rceservicecentre@ias.unu.edu
(posted 9 Jul)
 
Check out the new edition of IAU Horizons
The latest volume of IAU Horizons provides an interesting overview of some of the many facets of Higher Education’s engagements towards a more sustainable future. The issue is available online at http://www.iau-aiu.net/content/latest-issue in English and at http://www.iau-aiu.net/fr/content/vient-de-para%C3%AEtre-0 in French.
(posted 4 Jul)

Call for papers: submit your abstract by 3 August 2012
The 16th UNESCO-APEID International Conference, The Heart of Education: Learning to Live Togetherwill be held on 21-23 November 2012 at Hotel Pullman, Bangkok, Thailand. Co-organized by UNESCO, the Ministry of Education in Thailand and the Asian-Pacific Network for International Education and Values (APNIEVE), the Conference focuses on the non-cognitive aspects of learning, such as learning about values, ethics, social responsibility, civic engagement and so on. The organizers are calling for papers on the following Conference sub-themes:
  • Paradigms of learning to live together
  • Innovative practices of learning to live together
  • Collaboration and learning communities
  • Policies and instruments for learning to live together
Abstracts must be in English, no longer than 200 words, and submitted before 3 August 2012.For more information about registration and abstract submission, visitwww.unescobkk.org/education/apeid/conference2012 , or contact UNESCO Bangkok at apeidconf@unesco.org .
(3 Jul) 
 
Latest ProSPER.Net News!
The latest issue of the ProSPER.Net newsletter is out now. The newsletter features highlights from the ProSPER Network from throughout the first half of this year, including feature article on sustainability in higher education in the United States and a developing nation's perspective on sustainability in higher education. Download the newletter by clicking here .
(posted 2 Jul)
 
New Publication: Learning for Sustainability in times of Accelerating Change
These are turbulent times, with the world changing at accelerating speed. Information is everywhere, but wisdom appears in short supply when trying to address key inter-related challenges of our time such as runaway climate change, the loss of biodiversity, the depletion of natural resources, the ongoing homogenization of culture, and rising inequity. UNU-IAS Research Fellow Abel Barasa Atiti has recently authored a chapter of new book entitled "Learning for Sustainability in times of Accelerating Change". Find out more about the book and the chapter on exploring possibilities of organisational learning-based change and transition towards sustainability contributed by Atiti by clicking here .
(posted 19 June)

New ProSPER.Net Publication “Developing a New Generation of Leaders”
The ProSPER.Net Secretariat is delighted to announce the publication of a new booklet entitled “ProSPER.Net: Developing a New Generation of Leaders”. The publication showcases successful research projects and initiatives that have been launched by ProSPER.Net members. While the limits of time and space unfortunately prevented all activities from being showcased, the publication still stands as an excellent representation of the work being done by the network as a whole. To download a PDF of the booklet, visit this page or click here .
(posted 15 June)

Apply Now for the 2012 Young Researchers' School
The 2012 ProSPER.Net Young Researchers’ School, to be held at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from 17 to 28 September 2012. The main goal of the Young Researchers' School (YRS) is to provide graduate students and young post‐doctoral researchers with an opportunity to better understand the spectrum of challenges that underpin sustainable development. To apply for a scholarship to the School or to nominate a Lecturer or Resource Person, click here .
(posted 15 June)

Register Now for the 7th Global RCE Conference
The 7th Global RCE Conference will be held in Tongyeong, the Republic of Korea, from 21 to 24 September 2012. The Conference will look to the end of the Decade on Education for Sustainable Development in 2014 and beyond, providing a vision for the future and generating the momentum needed to make that vision a reality. Registration for the conference is now open. We ask all RCE members to register through the conference website ( http://2012.rce.or.kr/eng ) before Friday, 22 June 2012. For those who would like to request financial support from UNU-IAS, the deadline for registrations is Friday, 15 June 2012. In order to ensure that the conference moves beyond mere rhetoric and produces tangible outcomes, we invite RCE members to actively participate in the preparatory process by joining discussions on various thematic, strategic and operational issues. For more information click here .
(posted 14 June)

International Biodiversity Day 2012
The International Day for Biological Diversity was observed globally on 22 May 2012. In the Indian stats of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand numerous children participated in the celebrations thr ough different activities organised by RCE Srinigar that combined learning with fun. Seven school s in Himachal Pradesh participated in an event that taught children about the different components that make up biodiversity.

For children living in relatively untouched and scarcely populated areas of the Himalayan mountains, this was a unique opportunity for them to relate to the plethora of flora and fauna that they encounter on a regular basis. Students of two schools planted saplings of medicinal plants to mark the day. They also learned how to care for plants.

To read the full report of all the day's activities organised by RCE Srinigar, click here .
(posted 11 June)

UPDATE from RCE Srinigar: Towards Better Prepared Monasteries in Sikkim
In May RCE Srinagar, in collaboration with WWF-India and Rumtek Monastery organized a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) workshop in Sikkim to train the monks to help people during disasters as well as to effectively contribute to rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts. The workshop was highly successful and, based on that success, RCE Srinigar is now organising a similar programme on a much larger scale. An upcoming workship will be held in June for the monasteries of other States of India, Nepal and Bhutan also. WWF-US under their ‘Sacred Landscape Programe’ supported the Sikkim workshop and is also supporting the upcoming workship in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India.
His Holiness the Karmapa will give the keynote address and chair the entire programme himself. \Besides the representatives of the monasteries, officials of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA, Government of Tibet in Exile) will also be there. Their Prime Minister and ministers will attend the meeting. CEE is made a partner in the programme. You can dowload the agenda of the workshop here .
(posted 11 June)

Case Studies: Towards Sustainable Livelihoods and Consumption & Production Through ESD 
As the global community prepares for the Rio+20 conference on sustainable development later this month, the Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development have been preparing a series of case studies to showcase groundbreaking ESD initiatives that address some of the greatest challenges we face in moving to more sustainable development through sustainable consumption and production systems (SCP). SCP are particularly important for sustainable development; to build a socially just economy and a more sustainable society, consumption and production systems must become more sustainable - not only in terms of market growth and resilience but also in terms of productive non-market relations, ecosystem health, quality of life and the well-being of all involved. To read the full case studies, please click here or visit thePaper and Articlespage of the ESD Programme. or visit the page of the ESD Programme. or visit the page of the ESD Programme. 
(posted 1 June)

RCE Srinigar: Towards Better Prepared Monasteries in Sikkim
RCE Srinagar, in collaboration with WWF-India and Rumtek Monastery (seat of His Holiness 17th Karmapa), Sikkim, organized a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) workshop from 3-5 May, 2012 to address more than 110 monks of 26 important and big monasteries of the state. The objective of this workshop was to train the monks to help people during disasters as well as to effectively contribute to rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts. In a predominantly Buddhist State, monasteries and monks have considerable control and influence on society. Hence, it was important to equip them with basic knowledge and skills to both protect themselves as well as to reach out to the larger community in times of natural disasters.

Each monastery was helped in preparing its ‘Disaster Management Plan’ to identify safe areas, mark evacuation routes and list important contact numbers. The participants were also encouraged to form their own disaster response teams. Trainings, mock drills, experience sharing sessions, lectures by experts and film shows completed the highly interesting and informative three-day DRR workshop. You can dowload the report here . The report is also available on Rumtek monastery websitehttp://www.rumtek.org/mn/mn_ar.php#030512
(posted 30 May)

RCE Saskatchewan Featured in Canadian Newspaper
RCE Saskatchewan's excellent work with aboriginal groups in Canada was recently featured in a Canadian provincial newspaper, The StarPhoenix. Read the full story here or on The StarPhoenix http://www.haw-hamburg.de/index.php?id=26499&L=1
(posted 11 May)

Join the Avalon Sustainability School August 2012
The Avalon Sustainability School is a place where young people have the skills, creativity and freedom to take part in the transition to a more resilient future. Join the Avalon Sustainability School an integral learning experience in an international environment for young people aged 14 to 19 combining art, adventure and skills for a resilient future. This year's programme is in the Spanish Pyrenees from 12th to 26th of August led by a team of professional outdoor educators, sustainability professionals, social entrepreneurs and language coaches. All activities are held in English and participants from Europe, the US, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

The school is jointly organised by RCE Barcelona,  Barcelonya and Active Earth , which has more than 10 year’s experience in nature based learning with young people, and inspired by Gaia Education’s Design for Sustainability running in over 27 countries around the world. Mercy Corps is collaborating with this programme as well to help give youth leaders in the Middle East a chance to take part in Avalon.
Find out more about the school and how to join the Avalon Youth Network at www.avalon-school-com .
(posted 2 May)

RCE Greater Sudbury Celebrates Success!
Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) staff and students recently celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the implementation at all schools of the Dearness Conservation (DC) Program, a program developed by the Dearness Environmental Society! At this celebration Board administration took the opportunity to thank the teachers and students by acknowledging their efforts and successes. Each school used this opportunity to highlight their achievements by showcasing their projects in a display booth setting. A variety of local officials and representatives attended including the City of Greater Sudbury’s Deputy Mayor, Joscelyne Landry-Altmann, and Mrs.Theresa Spencer, a Ministry of Education representative. You can read more about the anniversary in the upcoming edition of the RCE Bulletin. Learn more about the Dearness Environmental Society by visiting http://www.dearness.ca/ .
(posted 30 Apr)

Call for Nominations: Wenhui Award for Educational Innovation 2012
The theme of the 2012 Wenhui Award, Innovation in Education for Sustainable Development, focuses on innovations in education that have led to noticeable changes in values, mindsets, behaviours and practices in line with the concept and principles of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Two winners will be selected by a jury of distinguished educators. Each winner will receive US$ 20,000 and a Certificate of Excellence at the China Hangzhou International Conference on Educational Innovations.

The Award is sponsored by the National Commission of the People's Republic of China for UNESCO and coordinated by the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development (APEID). To find about more about the award and the nomination process, please visithttp://www.unescobkk.org/education/apeid/wenhuiaward2012 . All nominations must reach the Award Secretariat at the address below by 8 June 2012.
(posted 30 Apr)

Disaster Risk Reduction Workshop in Sikkim, India
3-5 May, 2012
A Workshop titled “Climate Change and Natural Disaster Management - Towards better prepared monasteries in Sikkim” will be held from 3-5 May, 2012 at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, India. The workshop, which is supported by the Rubin Foundation, is being organized by the WWF – India, Khangchendzonga Landscape Programme in collaboration with Rumtek Monastery and RCE Srinagar.

Sikkim is a small landlocked state nestled in the eastern Himalayas of India and, as with most Himalayan states, it is vulnerable to multiple natural hazards. Last September, a 6.9 magnitude quake struck the region, killing 71 people and destroying several government buildings, multi-storied residences, markets and monasteries This workshop is aimed at the monks and monasteries in and around Sikkim. It will address safe construction techniques, identify improvements and upgrades on existing structures, explore climate change and its impacts, and underline the relevance of disaster risk reduction and the importance of being prepared for the future.

For more information, download the brochure here .
(posted 25 Apr)

Celebrate Earth Day by joining the Global Conversation on Sustainability
In June, the UN will bring the world together in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to discuss and decide how to accelerate action for a healthier, more equitable and more prosperous world for all. There will be government leaders, business CEOs, farmers, scientists, academics and community activists at Rio. There will be leaders of women’s groups, indigenous peoples organisations, trade unions and youth movements. You can also be part of this global conversation. Please visit The Future We Want (futurewewant.org) where you can contribute your ideas on what a sustainable future might look like – for you, your family and your community.
(posted 22 Apr)

RCE Srinigar Focuses on Students
RCE Srinigar, together with its partners in education and sustainable development, has led a number of highly successful projects focused on students in the region. In Sikkim, a small landlocked state in the eastern Himalayas that was struck by a 6.9 earthquake last September, the RCE and its partners have launched a disaster risk reduction awareness campaign. You can read more about that initiative here .

RCE Srinigar also helped hundreds of students celebrate World Water Day on March 22. The RCE and partners led a number of activities in the Himalayan states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachel Pradesh and Utterakhand. Students were introduced to the theme of "Water and Food Security" and were able to learn about local water issues, such as water availability, pollution, agriculture, conservation and health issues related to water. You can see photos from the events and read more about it here .
(posted 19 Apr)

RCE Srinigar launches Safe Holi Campaign
Holi is a religious festival celebrated every spring in India. As part of the celebration, people across the country smear themselves and others in different shades of the most vibrant, scented colours. Unfortunately, many of those colorings contain toxic elements that can lead to blindness, cancer or respiratory diseases, among others. Click here to read what RCE Srinigar is doing to make Holi a safer and healthier event for all.
(posted 16 Apr)

Open Call for RCE Applications 2012
The United Nations University is now calling for applications for new Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development. Please check out more information of the requirement by clicking here .
(posted 10 Feb)

Check out the latest issue of RCE Saskatchewan's ESD Newsletter
Inside this issue: Innovative Curriculum: Grade 12 Global Issues - Citizenship and Sustainability; Greening the Technical Vocational Initiative in Manitoba; Education for Sustainable Development: Parkland Elementary School Garden Project; GREEN High Schools Program and more. Read the full newsletter by clicking here .
(posted 30 Jan)

Welcome 11 new RCEs!!
Eleven new Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development have recently been acknowledged as part of the RCE Network, bringing the total number of RCEs to 100. Each new RCE is made up of a network of individuals, organizations and experts who are committed to using education as a tool for building a sustainable future. The newly acknowledged RCEs are:
  • RCE Gippsland, Australia
  • RCE Greater Western Sydney, Australia
  • RCE Greater Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • RCE Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • RCE Tantramar, Canada
  • RCE Greater Shangri-la, China
  • RCE Chandigarh, India
  • RCE East Arunachal Pradesh, India
  • RCE Mumbai, India
  • RCE Lesotho
  • RCE Khomas-Erongo, Namibia
Once activities in each RCE begin, we will update each individual RCE’s web page. In the meantime, please click here to find contact information for each new RCE and information on the activities of other RCEs worldwide.
(posted 25 Jan)
 

New Sustainability Science Course
As part of the COMPETENCE (Comprehensive Programme to Enhance Technology, Engineering and Science Education in Asia) project, UNESCO Jakarta together with Center for Sustainability Science (CENSUS), Hokkaido University, Japan, will deliver a new course, “Sustainability Science”.  The course is expected to provide a model for sustainability education among higher educational and governmental institutions. It covers the comprehensive framework of sustainability, such as concepts, sustainable resource use (energy, water, food, materials, etc), institution, economy, social capital and human capital.


The course will be broadcast through CONNECT-Asia partner networks. University/participants connected to our partner networks will receive the course through video conference. Meanwhile other participants can follow the lecture via live streaming.  More information is available on the CONNECT Asia website:  http://connect-asia.org/index.php/partner-courses/84-new-course-sustainability-science
(posted 18 Jan)
 
Check out the latest RCE Bulletin!
The latest RCE Bulletin is now available. Download a PDF of it here or visit our Bulletin page for all the latest issues.
(posted 12 Jan)
 
 
6th Global RCE Conference Meeting Minutes Posted
The 6th Global RCE Conference was held in November 2011 in Kerkrade, the Netherlands. Hosted by RCE Rhine-Meuse in close collaboration with all European RCEs, the conference helped RCEs move towards a common vision and strategy, while enhancing collaboration among RCEs and UN agencies working towards 2014 and beyond. Read the meeting minutes and review the presentations by clicking on our 6th Global RCE Conference page .
(posted 11 Jan)
 
2012 Canadian National Environment Education Conference
30 May - 2 June, 2012 in Waterloo, Ontario
The Environmental Studies Association of Canada (ESAC) and the Canadian Network for Environmental Education andCommunication (EECOM) are pleased to invite you to participate in their joint conference at the University ofWaterloo. As Canada’s leading association of interdisciplinary researchers and practitioners involved in a diversity ofenvironmental fields, ESAC facilitates networking and dialogue across environment-related fields and practices. The2012 ESAC conference provides a unique opportunity for delegates to take part in a lively exchange of ideas relatingto sustainability among a broad range of students, academic researchers, members of NGOs,For more information or to contribute workshop proposal or award nominations, please visit eecom.org . The deadline for workshop proposals is 20 Jan, 2012 and the deadline for award nominations is 1 Feb, 2012.
(posted 10 Jan)
 
Top reads of 2011: Kazuhiko Takemoto on Education for Sustainable Development
The U.K. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs listed ESD Programme Director Kazuhiko Takemoto's piece on Education for Sustainable Development as one of their most read articles of 2011. Read it again here .
(posted 4 Jan)
 
2012: UN International Year of Sustainability for All
The United Nations General Assembly has declared that 2012 is the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. The resolution was passed in August 2011 and may in part have been influenced by events at Fukushima in Japan and the need to promote new and renewable sources of energy. Read more about what this year might bring from Brendan Barrett at Our World 2.0
(posted 3 Jan)