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Regional Centre of Expertise Learning for Sustainable Development: RCE-Heerlen Under Construction. Rietje van Dam, Jos Hermans, Jos Rikers, UNU launch of the DESD Conference Graz 21-23 April 2005. Background: the global perspective.
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Regional Centre of ExpertiseLearningfor Sustainable Development:RCE-Heerlen Under Construction Rietje van Dam, Jos Hermans, Jos Rikers, UNU launch of the DESD Conference Graz 21-23 April 2005
Background: the global perspective • Declaration of Decade Education for Sustainable Development (DESD), United Nations assembly • UNESCO Framework for the Decade • UNU initiative: global network of RCE, Higher Education Brief • EU initiative: sustainable development policy, Kok report
UNU: Higher Education Brief One example of the co-operation, as well as innovative uses of ICT, is the Global Higher Education for Sustainability Partnership (GHESP) Resource Project that could be described as a portal to qualified good practices along the lines of higher education’s contribution to sustainable development (curricula, logistics and managerial practices and outreach/service to society) and the formation of a global network of Regional Centres of Excellence (RCEs) for Learning for Sustainable Development. Such regional centres should organise their activities locally and aim a) at enhancing collaboration between different levels of formal education, i.e. between primary, secondary and higher education and b) at facilitating relations between formal education and local actors relevant for ESD, such as research centres, local businesses, museums, local governments, etc.
Background: the European perspective • Regions are crucial to applying Sustainability Policies • Sustainable European Regions Network (http://www.sustainable-euroregions.net/index.php) • European Network of Regional Centres of Expertise Learning for Sustainable Development
The European Network of RCE’s • Antwerp • Barcelona • Geneva • Göteborg • Graz • Heerlen • Lüneburg • Prague • Wroclaw
Background: the regional perspective • Rhine-Meuse+ region: a knowledge region • 7 research universities and 15 universities for applied science • Multinationals • Highly innovative SME’s • Regional Government focus on sustainable development
Rhine-Meuse+ • Building the network bottom up from Cologne to Leuven / from Luxemburg to Eindhoven
The RCE as a nodal network UN DESD EU Regions
The nodal network Global Network European Network Regional Network
What the RCE is NOT • It is not a standard knowledge institute • It is not a building • It is not occupied with staff
What the RCE IS • It is not a standard knowledge institute • It is not a building • It is not occupied with staff • It is like a spider in its web
What is the RCE • It is a broker for knowledge transfer • It is a meeting point for decision makers and policy makers • It is a network of: • Knowledge institutes • Governments • Companies • NGO’s
Organization • Foundation Expertise Centre Learning for Sustainable Development • Associated partners to the foundation
The foundation • Founded by: • Hogeschool Zuyd (Zuyd University) • Open Universiteit Nederland (Open university of the Netherlands)
Associated partners • Institutions, companies, ngo’s, governments • Provincial, Euregional, National, European, Global • Partnership that supports the goals and ambitions of the foundation • The partnership = the network = the RCE
Network members so far.. Aachener Stiftung Kathy Beys, Gaia Park BV, Maastricht University, Province of Limburg, Zuyd University, City of Heerlen, ABP, DSM, Open University of the Netherlands, University of Aachen (RWTH), Aachen University of applied science, Cologne University of applied Science, Wuppertal Institut, Vebego, Chaimber of Commerce Zuid-Limburg, Limburg Employers Association (LWV)
Projects: Regional • Upgrading Business Parks in the Province of Limburg (Province, LWV, DSM) • Tripool and Sustainable Policies (Heerlen, Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen) • Communication between schoolchildren (Maastricht, Wuppertal Institut, RWTH)
Projects: European • Learning for sustainable development in urban areas (Sustainable European Regions Network; European Network of RCE’s)
Projects: Global • UNU policy paper on DESD • UNU book on DESD
Thank you for your attention Contact: rce-heerlen@home.nl