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Learning for Sustainability Scotland (LfS Scotland) is proud to be part of the global movement of more than 190 UN University-recognised Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE) in Education for Sustainable Development ESD.  

Since RCE Scotland (or ‘Learning for Sustainability Scotland’) was founded in 2013, we have benefitted greatly from connecting with other RCEs across the world that are responding to sustainable development challenges through place-based partnership working on education.

Betsy King and Kirsten Leask from Learning for Sustainability Scotland recently travelled to Germany to participate in the annual meeting of Regional Centres of Expertise in Europe. Betsy is currently Regional Advisor to the RCE Community  for the European network of RCEs, and Kirsten is the RCE Europe Co-Communicator.

The 2024 creative, collaborative gathering of RCEs in Europe was hosted by RCE Ruhr at their base in Hof Emschermündung on the outskirts of Dinslaken; a small town approximately one hour north of Düsseldorf by train .

This newly-developed sustainability education centre, located in an formerly industrial setting beside the River Emscher, was an ideal space to further develop collaboration across the European RCE network. Through presentations of current activity and open-space, small-group discussions, we explored the possibilities for future joint projects and potential partnerships with organisations such as UNESCO and the European Commission.

Actions from this meeting are being taken forward through five Strategic Working Groups:  Strategic Partnerships; Communications; Events; Research and Funding; and Youth. Activities undertaken by each Group are reported at monthly online RCE European ‘Connect’ sessions.

More details of this Meeting can be found on the Global RCE website.

We would like to express our warmest thanks to Peter Reichenbach and the team at RCE Ruhr for their hospitality and for hosting this warm and productive meeting. Click here to find out more about their work.