Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCEs): an overview

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to offer an overview of the United Nations University'srnRegional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE) initiative-the globalrnprocess created to support the implementation of the United Nations Decade of Education forrnSustainable Development (DESD, 2005-2014)-and discuss the roles of institutions of higher educationrn(IHEs) in RCE efforts.rnDesign/methodology/approach-The paper provides a historical overview of the RCE initiative,rnclarifies the philosophy behind it, and describes the guiding principles for RCE establishment andrnoperations.rnFindings - The paper reveals the UNU's views about effective strategies to promote Education forrnSustainable Development (ESD) and discusses the roles of IHEs as partners within and among RCEs.rnHighlights the potential roles of IHEs in overcoming the compartmentalization of knowledge andrnlinking policy and practice.rnResearch limitations/implications - The paper recognises that RCE is an evolving concept andrncalls attention to the RCE process as a promising example of "social learning" and "communities ofrnpractice", and at the same time, of "knowledge management system".rnPractical implications - The paper clarifies the expected functions of RCEs as multi-sectoral andrninterdisciplinary partnerships and "local-regional knowledge base" and exhorts local ESDrnstakeholders, including higher education institutions to use RCEs as value-adding learningrnnetworks at the local and global levels.rnOriginality/value - The paper refines the RCE concept and offers practical advice to RCEs and RCErncandidates. Opportunities are indicated for higher education institutions in contributing towards ESDrnand sustainable development through RCEs.