Speed Dating kicks off RCE Initiative Discussions

Working group

The Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development - Greater Western Sydney (RCE-GWS) vision is to establish itself as a model of how the linked Sustainable Development Goal 2030 challenges can be addressed through education and collaboration. The RCE partners include the region's educational institutions, organisations, community groups and local government working together on tackling sustainability challenges.

The first 2018 RCE-GWS forum kick-started with a speed dating planning session for all the partners. With only five minutes the challenge was raised to cover three key questions;

  1. What are you doing in your organisation that could be a RCE initiative?
  2. What do you need to make this happen?
  3. What can you offer another RCE partner?

With 24 participants from industry partners it was considered one of the best sessions to date, with the speed dating a highlight and a great start to the year. "I was initially daunted by the speed dating idea – but, it was actually very useful, a good way to talk to some new folks, quickly learn what they did and learn about environmental education from different perspectives”, shared Dr David Reid, an Aquatic Ecologist from the Georges River Riverkeeper Program.

Attendees included representatives from the following organisations:

  • Brewongle Environmental Education Centre
  • Conservation Volunteers Australia
  • Georges River Keeper
  • Greater Western Sydney Energy Alliance / Parramatta Climate Action Network
  • Greening Australia
  • Hawkesbury Earthcare Centre
  • Hawkesbury Environment Network
  • Hawkesbury Harvest and Farmgate Trail
  • Local Land Services GWS
  • Public Schools NSW (Grose View PS)
  • Sydney Olympic Park Authority
  • TAFE WSI
  • Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils
  • Western Sydney University

Academics seeking to engage with community partners and looking to co-design and co-develop curricula are  encouraged to attend the next RCE forum.

The forum is scheduled for 10th July at Penrith, 9.30-11am with further details to be confirmed. Email sustainability@westernsydney.eu.au to register.

Learning Futures.NOW. Issue 4.

-November 2017-