5^th African RCE Conference: “Building a stronger African RCE Network for transforming lives and communities through Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)” 

14-16 October, 2015, Entebbe, Uganda

 

Under the umbrella of the main topic "Building a stronger African RCE Network for transforming lives and communities though ESD", the following sub-themes were discussed during the conference:

• The role of higher education and research in transforming society through ESD.
•  Empowering and mobilizing youth to effectively contribute to sustainable development.
• The role of private sector in accelerating sustainable solutions at local level.
•  Promoting indigenous/traditional knowledge, cultural heritage and biodiversity in ESD.
•  Enhancing peace building for sustainable development through education.
•  Advancing innovative policies and local solutions for community transformation.

 

REPORTS

Report by Ibrahim Akibu Ja'Afaru, RCE Minna, download here

Report by David Ongare on the RCE members' session, download here.

PHOTOS

Photos of the event will soon be posted on facebook!

IN THE MEDIA

The Observer, Uganda: Experts push for change in education system

Chimpreports, Uganda: Uganda hosts 5th African RCE Conference

 

PROGRAMME AND PRESENTATIONS

DAY 1 - Wednesday 14th October 2015

0800 – 0900         Registration of participants

0900 – 0930         Welcome Remarks, Chair, Conference Organising Committee

0930– 1030          

SESSION 1 (Chair Dr. Babikwa Daniel Director Education, NEMA), Address by Prof. Gitile Joseph Naituli (presentation)

1030 – 1100         BREAK

1100 – 1245        

OPENING SESSION (Chair Dr. Babikwa J. Daniel)

Remarks by Dr. Tom O. Okurut, Executive Director, NEMA

Remarks by Prof. Mary J.N. Okwakol, Vice Chancellor, Busitema University

Address by Paul Mafaabi, The Commissioner, Wetlands Management Department, Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda (presentation)

Keynote 1: The status of African RCEs: successes, challenges and charting the way forward, Dr. Abel Barasa Atiti (presentation)

Keynote 2: The Link between ESD and the Sustainable Development Goals – and Role of RCEs, Dr. Saba Bokhari, ESD Specialist, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya

Keynote 3: RCEs in Communities, Prof. Opuda, Asibo, Executive Director, Uganda National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports Uganda (presentation)

Discussion

1245 – 1400         LUNCH 

BREAKOUT/PARALLEL SESSIONS

SUB-THEME A: The role of higher education and research in transforming society through ESD (Chair  Dr. Samuel Baker Kucel, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Busitema University

1410 – 1445        

Establishment of an Environmental Justice Clinic at Chancellor College, Dr. Marlene Chikuni, RCE Zomba, Malawi (presentation)

1445 – 1515

Adoption of social media for sustainable development learning and teaching, Dr. Annabella Habinka, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (presentation)

1515 – 1535

African Universities and Education for Sustainable Development for community transformation through university community engagement and research partnership, Prof. George Openjuru, Deputy Vice chancellor Gulu University

1535 – 1555

The role of higher education and research in transforming society through ESD – The case of Uganda Martyrs University & Greater Masaka RCE. Aloysius, Uganda Martyrs University (presentation)

SUB-THEME B: Empowering and mobilizing youth to effectively contribute to sustainable development (Chair Mr. Elisa Obella, Academic Registrar, Busitema University)

1410 – 1445

Engaging youth on sustainability-related issues, Hamisi Tsama Mkuzi, RCE Greater Pwani, Mombasa Kenya (presentation)

1445 – 1515

Addressing challenges of youth unemployment, by empowering youth with relevant skill-based training in science, technology and innovations, practical lessons from Busitema University, Dr. Edward Andama, RCE Greater Eastern Uganda

1515 – 1535 

The experience of youth championing education for sustainable development through community outreach. The case of Busitema University ESD club, Enyou Pius Opio, RCE Greater Eastern Uganda

1540 – 1620

RCEs as an innovative slant and medium to local solutions for community transformation, Ali Bukar Ahmad, RCE Kano, Nigeria (presentation)

1620 – 1700         Discussion

SUB-THEME C: The role of the private sector in accelerating sustainable solutions at local level (Chair Dr. Basil Tibanyendera)

1600 – 1620

A case study of safe water transportation system for local communities by Mr. Ibrahim Akibu Ja'afaru, RCE Minna, Nigeria (presentation and detailed pdf)

The role of the private sector on enhancing ESD, Tenywa Hamid, Global impact Ltd.

1620 – 1720         Discussion

1645 – 1700         BREAK

 

DAY 2 – Thursday 15th October 2015

0845 – 0900         Recap of day one, Dr. Basil Tibanyendera (Chair  Dr. Annabella Habinka Ejiri) (presentation)

0900 – 0930        

Highlights from the 2015 EEASA Conference and RCEs from SADC region, Isaac Gcina Dladla, Director Policy, Research and Information, Swaziland Environment Authority (presentation)

0900 – 0920        

Remarks by Professor J. C. Maviiri, Vice Chancellor, Uganda Martyrs University  (presentation)

African RCEs, David Ongare and Ali Bukar Ahmad (presentation)

0920 – 0950         Discussion

BREAKOUT/PARALLEL SESSIONS  

SUB-THEME D Promoting indigenous/traditional knowledge, cultural heritage and biodiversity in ESD (Chair Dr. Otieno Charles, Busoga University )

1000 – 1140

A perspective on the significance of cemeteries in peaceful co-existence and conservation of biodiversity in urban areas - the case of Minna, Nigeria, Dr. Abdul Husaini Coordinator, RCE Minna (presentation)

The transmission mechanism of traditional ecological knowledge in Zambia - The case of the Lozi people of western province, Mirriam Sampa Moonga, RCE Lusaka (presentation)

ESD and the destabilization of techno-centric neoclassical education tendencies in school and community learning contexts in central and Midwestern Uganda, Daniel J Babikwa, Director, District Support Coordination & Public Education Department, NEMA (presentation)

Sustaining native species on “peopled” landscapes threats to and opportunities for nature conservation in Uganda’s dry lands and wetlands, Dr. William Olupot, Director, Nature and Livelihoods NGO (presentation)

A GIS Conceptual Model for Land Degradation Case Study of Lubigi Wetland, Musinguzi Martin, RCE Greater Mbarara (presentation)

Promoting indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage through ESD. The case of RCE BUEA, Mr. Masango Solomon Sone, RCE Buea, Cameroon (presentation)

1140 - 1200          BREAK

1200 – 1230         Discussion

BREAKOUT/PARALLEL SESSION: POLICY DIALOGUE (Chair: David Ongare)

1000 – 1020

From science to policy using evidence how research can inform public service - acase study ministry of education science technology and sports, Uganda, Annabella Habinka Ejiri, D. Basaza-Ejiri, RCE Greater Mbarara

1020 – 1040

Policy report presentation for African RCEs, David Ongare and Ali Bukar (presentation)

Smokeless stove, Prof. Gitile Joseph Naituli

Youth movement, Ali Ahmad Bukar

1140 - 1100          BREAK

1100 – 1230         Discussion of the session presentations

1230– 1400          LUNCH

1410-1700            CLOSED RCE MEMBERS SESSION

During this session the rest of the participants had the opportunity to visit the nearby Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) and Entebbe Botanical Gardens.

Strategic meeting and discussion session among African RCEs to make concrete action plans for the Africa region (Chairs: Ali Ahmad Bukar and David Ongare)

1700 – 2000         CLOSING CEREMONY and FAREWELL PARTY / COCKTAIL

 

DAY 3 - Friday 16th October 2015

0800-1300

Field excursions (Uganda Parliament, Bulange Mengo, Kabaka Royal Tombs, Kasubi, Uganda Museum)