12th Global RCE Conference Online, 2021
(Photo credit: The University of Edinburgh)
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: action through learning in a time of global crises
12th Global RCE Conference
Virtual (Online)
16-18 November, 2021
Hosted by RCE Scotland and the Global RCE Service Centre, supported by Ministry of the Environment, Japan
The 12th Global RCE Conference was held online from 16-18 November, 2021, hosted by RCE Scotland the Global RCE Service Centre under the theme 'Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: action through learning in a time of global crises'.
This event provided an opportunity for participants to collectively share, explore and build on the knowledge, skills and values within the network to build the capacities and actions needed to achieve the SDGs.
The conference built on the momentum from the two Global Webinars in February and June 2021, and brought in content and reflections from COP15 on biodiversity and COP26 on climate change.
Scottish 19th century polymath and educational visionary Sir Patrick Geddes (1854 -1932) is widely credited with developing the concept of 'sustainability', spanning environment, society and community. He spoke about the merit in engaging 'heart, hand and head', to achieve truly transformational learning. This holistic approach, encapsulating the ethos that underpins Education for Sustainable Development, has been used to shape the 12th Global RCE Conference programme.
Click on a section below to view:
- Programme
- Presentations by Theme
- Regional Parallel Sessions
- Workshop Sessions
- RCE Youth Climate Art Challenge
- RCE Awards
- Photo Gallery
- RCE Sharing Space
- Past Events
The final programme can be downloaded here.
DAY 1 - ‘Hearts’ – what kind of world do we want? How do we inspire and engage hearts and minds?
| TIME (GMT) | TUESDAY 16 NOVEMBER, 2021 | OUTCOMES* |
|---|---|---|
| 07:45 |
Welcome and overview of the Programme |
|
| 07:50 |
Official welcomes from UNU-IAS; Ministry of Environment, Japan; and Scottish Government
|
Welcome and overview from RCE Scotland video here All official welcomes here |
| 08:05 |
Welcome from the organisers
|
Welcome from RCE Scotland and UNU-IAS here 'Welcome to Scotland' video here |
| 08:10 |
Interactive activity |
View Padlet here |
| 08:20 |
Keynote speaker on the theme of 'Hearts', Dr. Greg Mannion, University of Stirling, Scotland |
Video here |
| 08:45 | Q&A with Keynote Speaker | |
| 08:55 |
Panel session: Dr. Greg Mannion, University of Stirling, Scotland; Edward Andama, RCE Greater Eastern Uganda; Diana Páez, RCE Bogota; Kate Sposab, RCE Belarus; Mr Junayeed Matin, RCE Okayama |
Video here |
| 09:25 |
Postcard from Scotland |
Video here |
| 09:30 | Break / online RCE Sharing Space | View RCE Sharing Space here |
| 09:40 |
RCE ‘Action through learning: Practice Share #1’: Parallel breakout sessions
|
Presentations here Video #1 here Video #2 here Video #3 here Video #4 here |
| 10:40 |
Break & networking / online RCE Sharing Space |
View RCE Sharing Space here |
| 11:00 |
Workshop session #1: ‘Heart: what kind of world do we want? How do we inspire and engage hearts and minds?': Parallel breakout sessions
|
Workshop information here Video #1 here Video #2 here Video #3 here Video #4 here |
| 12:00 |
Reflective interlude |
Video here |
| 12:05 | Summary of day |
Practice Sharing Sessions and Workshop summaries here Reflections on the day here |
| 12:20 |
Close |
|
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Networking & sharing opportunity |
DAY 2 - ‘Heads’ – visioning, thinking and reflecting: planning for action on ESD and the SDGs
| TIME (GMT) | WEDNESDAY 17 NOVEMBER, 2021 | OUTCOMES* |
|---|---|---|
| 10:45 |
Welcome Room opens |
|
| 11:00 | Welcome & overview of the day | |
| 11:10 |
Interactive activity |
View PDF here |
| 11:30 |
Keynote speakers on the theme of ‘Heads’:
|
Video here |
| 12:00 |
Q&A session with Keynote Speakers |
|
| 12:30 | Postcard from Scotland | Video here |
| 12:35 |
Break & networking / online RCE Sharing Space |
View RCE Sharing Space here |
| 12:45 |
RCE ‘Action through learning: Practice Share #2’: Parallel breakout sessions
|
Presentations here Video #1 here Video #2 here Video #3 here |
| 13:45 | Break & networking / online sharing space | |
| 14:00 |
Workshop session #2: ’Heads’ – visioning, thinking and reflecting: planning for action’: Parallel breakout sessions
|
Workshop information here Video #1 here Video #2 here Video #3 here Video #4 here Video #5 here Video #6 here |
| 15:00 | Reflective interlude | Video here |
| 15:05 | Summary of day | Video here |
| 15:20 | Close | |
| 15:30 – 16:30 | Social event/networking opportunity | View PDF here |
DAY 3 - ‘Hands’ – making it happen: taking action on ESD and the SDGs
| TIME (GMT) | WEDNESDAY 17 NOVEMBER, 2021 | OUTCOMES* |
|---|---|---|
| 10:45 |
Welcome Room opens |
|
| 11:00 | Welcome & overview of the day | Video here |
| 11:10 |
Update from the Global RCE Service Centre with Q&A, Dr. Philip Vaughter, UNU-IAS |
Video here View RCE Climate Projects video here |
| 11:30 |
Keynote speaker on the theme of 'Hearts', Lara Freitas, Educator and Speaker |
Video here |
| 12:00 | Break | |
| 12:15 |
RCE ‘Action through learning: Practice Share #3’: Parallel breakout sessions
|
Presentations here Video #1 here Video #2 here Video #3 here Video #4 here Summary video here |
| 13:15 |
Regional Parallel Sessions
|
'Africa' Regional Parallel Session 'Americas' Regional Parallel Session |
| 14:00 |
Plenary from Regional Sessions |
Video here |
| 14:40 | Postcard from Scotland |
Video here (live version) Video here (recorded version) |
| 14:50 |
RCE Youth Climate Art Challenge RCE Awards ceremony |
RCE Youth Climate Art Challenge live version and video here RCE Awards live version and video here |
| 15:30 | Summary of conference | Video here |
| 16:00 | Close | |
| 16:00-17:00 | Networking and sharing opportunity |
*These presentations have been prepared by the presenters listed beside each item. Its contents and features are the sole responsibility of the authors. For questions and comments please contact the authors.
| CASE STUDY* | PRESENTER/S |
|---|---|
| Strategising and Understanding Systems | |
|
Strategies to Mitigate Climate Change Impact in Food Security |
Javier Carbajal Mendoza, RCE Lima-Callao |
| Education for Climate Action for Peace (E4CAP) | Norani Binti Abu Bakar, RCE Greater Kuala Lumpur |
| Futures Thinking | |
| 'Helping the Panchayati Raj Institutions Integrate SDGs into their Development Plans' | Abdhesh Kumar Gangwar |
| Minsk Summer School 'Climate Change vs. Climate Action' | Kate Sposob, RCE Belarus |
| Collaborating Online | |
| ICT for Teacher Training to Address Education for Sustainable Development in New Normal Education | Nanung Agus Fitriyanto, RCE Yogyakarta |
| Online Program on Empowering Students' Leadership in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) via Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer | Nur Syazwana Hamzah, RCE Penang |
*These materials have been prepared by the RCE listed beside each item. Its contents and features are the sole responsibility of the authors. For questions and comments please contact the authors.
HEARTS: What kind of world do we want? How do we inspire and engage hearts and minds?
| WORKSHOP* | PRESENTER/S |
|---|---|
| Appreciative Inquiry: An Approach to the ESD for 2030 Roadmap and the Future We Want, the UN we Need | Dr. Brittany Foutz, RCE Salisbury |
| Making Circles – Changing the Way we Design, Make and Use Things in a Circular Economy | Ms. Mary Michel, RCE Scotland |
| Engaging Communities with Climate Change through Peatlands | Ms. Laura Curtis-Moss, RCE Scotland |
| Youth Work's Contribution to the SDGs | Ms. Naomi Dixon, RCE Scotland |
HEADS: Visionining, thinking and reflecting: planning for action on ESD and the SDGs
| WORKSHOP* | PRESENTER/S |
|---|---|
| What Curriculum for Food Sustainability? | Dr. Laura Colucci-Gray, RCE Scotland |
| Empowering Grassroots Local Action for SDGs: Theme based toolkits, strategies & good practices for reflection & action | Ms. Ros Wade, RCE London |
| Serious Games for Accelerating Progress Towards UN Sustainable Development Goals | Ms. Dianne Cantali, RCE Scotland |
| Policy Instruments & Regulatory Tools to Support Embedding Sustainability in University & College Curricula: lessons from the Scottish experience | Ms. Rebecca Petford, RCE Scotland |
| UN SDGs: how to integrate them in Higher Education teaching and learning? | Dr. Vasiliki Kioupi, RCE London |
| 'Imagining a World without Mining': Introduction to a 2050 visioning activity | Dr. Joám Evans Pim / Dr. Iolanda Mato Creo, RCE Galicia |
*These materials have been prepared by the RCE listed beside each item. Its contents and features are the sole responsibility of the authors. For questions and comments please contact the authors.
The awardees of the first ever RCE Youth Climate Art Challenge were featured at the 12th Global RCE Conference, showcasing their works of art focusing on SDG 13 (Climate Action) that engage with 'hearts, hands, or heads' - the sub-themes for this year's 12th Global RCE Conference.
Read more about the awarded entries here, and take a look at the video launched at the Conference, celebrating the submissions and awarded entries:
2021 RCE Awards for Innovative Projects on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
Established in 2012, the RCE Award celebrates projects and programmes on ESD within the Global RCE Network, honouring RCEs who have made outstanding contributions to address local sustainable development challenges in their regions.
The Award recognises projects and programmes that bridge local and global perspectives on sustainable development, those that engage with transformative learning and research, and initiatives that contribute to community engagement, research & development and capacity development of stakeholders and partners.
The winners of the 2021 RCE Awards, presented at the 12th Global RCE Conference held online from 16-18 November, 2021 covered projects across the SDGs and themes including Climate Action, Curriculum Development, Waste, Agriculture, Responsible Consumption & Production, Traditional Knowledge, Sustainable Cities and Communities and Quality Education. Recipients were awarded across three categories: (1) Outstanding Flagship Project, (2) Acknowledged Flagship Project, and (3) Honourable Mention.
Congratulations to all of the winners!
| OUTSTANDING FLAGSHIP PROJECT |
|---|
|
RCE Bogota - Sustainable Lifestyles and Water Footprint
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; Thematic Category: Waste
RCE Denmark - Apprentices for Sustainability
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE East Midlands - Carbon Literacy Collaboration – Multi-sector Climate Learning and Action in a Local Area
SDG 13: Climate Action; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE Georgetown - The CCU Solar Ambassador Team
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE Greater Gombak - SACURA - Safe food by Community through Urban natuRal farming Activities
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; Thematic Category: Agriculture
RCE Greater Kuala Lumpur - Peace and Unity in Diversity Education
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE Greater Yenagoa - Gbarain/Ekpetiama Cluster-wide Youth Development Programme
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; Thematic Category: Agriculture
SDG 4: Quality Education; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE Okayama - ESD University and Technical Vocational Education and Training College Student Internship Program
SDG 4: Quality Education; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE Stettiner Haff - ResidenZukunft - Time for Future
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; Thematic Category: Agriculture
|
| ACKNOWLEDGED FLAGSHIP PROJECT |
|---|
|
RCE Central Semenanjung - [Experiential Learning] Be Able: Venturing beyond Disabilities (2020)
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE Central Semenanjung - Transforming The Role of Surau Academy of Islamic Studies Universiti Malaya (APIUM) For Campus Sustainability Through 'Imarah Green Project'
SDG 4: Quality Education; Thematic Category: Traditional Knowledge
RCE Dobong-gu - Building a Pedagogical Framework for ESD
SDG 4: Quality Education; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE Georgetown - Examining a Network of Food Resources to Address Food Insecurity
SDG 2: Zero Hunger; Thematic Category: N/A
RCE Greater Atlanta - Building Effective ESD in Higher Education through Multi-Institutional and Community Collaboration
SDG 4: Quality Education; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE Greater Atlanta - EQUINOX: Catalyzing Community-centered Scholarships and Partnerships
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE Greater Dhaka - KBAD-A Real Time Opportunity for Sustainability Education During Covid-19
SDG 4: Quality Education; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE Greater Gombak - MY SENSUS - Mother and Youth Social Entrepreneur for Sustainability
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
SDG 13: Climate Action; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE Ogun - Women Inclusion in Public Procurement (W4PP)
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; Thematic Category: Traditional Knowledge
RCE Penang - Empowering Students’ Leadership in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) via Innovation and Inventions 2020
SDG 4: Quality Education; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE Penang - Empowering Students’ Leadership in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) via Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer 2021 SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE Scotland - Supporting Global Collaboration and Professional Learning: Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning
SDG 4: Quality Education; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
RCE North Texas - SDG Cities Challenge
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; Thematic Category: Curriculum Development
|
| HONOURABLE MENTION |
|---|
|
SDG 15: Life on Land; Thematic Category: Plants & Animals
RCE Greater Dhaka - Students Engagements in Sustainability Activities RCE Greater Portland - Food Security in Uncertain Times: A Regional College Collaboration RCE Kuching - RCE Asia-Pacific Thematic Collaboration: Rivers, Water and Livelihoods |
View photos from the event in our Facebook photo album here.
Inspiration, ideas and resources from across the globe - visit the RCE Sharing Space here.
RCE GLOBAL WEBINAR #1
In the lead-up to the 12th Global RCE Conference, the hosts RCE Scotland hosted two pre-conference webinars.
The first of these, 'RCE Global Network 2021: Achieving the SDGs: Action through Learning' was held on 4 February, 2021 from 8:00-10:00am GMT.
Thank you to all who participated, and thank you to RCE Scotland for organising a wonderful event! Read a report of the event here.
RCE GLOBAL WEBINAR #2
The second webinar was held on 8 June, 2021 from 8:00-10:00am GMT.
Again, thank you to RCE Scotland for their outstanding organisation, and to those who participated for your contributions. Read a report of the event here.
PRESENTATIONS
Materials from both events are available here.
