Governance

Our Focus

RCE Greater Western Sydney Areas of Impact 2024-2025
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Our Governance Structure

Steering Committee

1. Composition and operation:

   • The RCE-GWS Steering Committee constitutes the central leadership of the RCE GWS network and represents the interests of the participating RCE members.
   • Comittee positions are voluntary and membership is renewed every three years (with the option to extend their term)
   • The steering committee will meet seperate to the general stakeholder meetings to discuss relevant business
   • Western Sydney University will provide the administrative support for the RCE Steering Committee during its tenure via an RCE Secretariat
   • Western Sydney University will host the operation of RCE-GWS

2. The key functions of the steering commitee are to:

   • Determine key directions and the use of widespread community input to set strategic directions
   • Facilitate, monitor and report the work of RCE related projects as necessary
   • Identify and endorse new RCE-GWS members or associate members
   • Identify potential RCE partner projects and potential areas for students to become involved in.

Secretariat Services

1. These services are provided by the RCE-GWS host institution, Western Sydney University (within Sustainability Education and Partnerships)

2. The key functions of the secretariat are to:

   • Provide support for the Steering Committee to meet and deliver its function
   • Assist members in monitoring and aligning their project(s) as necessary
   • Act as a clear, single, point of contact for the GWS community with the RCE
   • Provide periodic monitoring reports to the members of the Steering Committee and Global RCE Service Centre on relevant projects
   • Maintain website and communication mediums for the network, including stakeholder meetings
   • Ensure that the achievements of the RCE are widely and effectively promoted

Partner Projects

1. RCE-GWS members can join and lead one or more project(s), as per their interest or organisational interests
2. All projects under the RCE-GWS banner should focus on ESD in Greater Western Sydney to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Agenda set by the United Nations (see 'Areas of Impact')
3. If members find other partners (within and outside of the network) interested in a common project, and if in combination, partners have the capabilities and time to pursue it they can suggest the formation of a new projects to the Steering Committee.
4. Each project if it wishes to use the RCE-GWS umberella or logo should be advised to the Secretariat.
5. Projects will seek to identify grants to fund their work or operate on a pro-bono/in-kind basis, especially if joint projects are part of their core business.

Membership

1. RCE-GWS members can join and actively participate in one or more projects
2. RCE-GWS members are expected to attend all general stakeholder meetings, or send a representative in their place
   • Meetings will be scheduled twice per year

Grant applications and accountability

1. When applying for a grant the members of each project team will decide on one partner to be the key grant applicant and the body to receive and account for funds' deployment (outside of the secretrait).
2. The RCE cannot be the recipient of grant funds as it is not incorporated.

Role of the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)

The UNU-IAS coordinates the global activities of the Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) in Education for Sustainable Development around the world providing strategic direction and guidance to all acknowledged RCEs. See the Global RCE Network. (opens in new window)

Our Structure

RCE-GWS is committed to our region. Watch the highlight clip to learn more.

• Find out who our RCE-GWS members are
• Join our RCE-GWS network