FORMALITIES AND KEYNOTES OPENING REMARKS INAUGURAL ADDRESS The inaugural address was delivered by Dr Hiroaki Takiguchi, Project Director (former), UNU-IAS. Dr Takiguchi appreciates the efforts of RCE Srinagar, RCE Greater Western Sydney, and other RCEs in the Asia-Pacific region for organizing this very timely webinar. He emphasized the following three points: ≥≥Transformative change is needed in our society, economy, work, and lifestyle. The field of ESD is not exempt; ≥≥RCEs which facilitate multi-stakeholder cooperation and collaborative actions towards sustainable development within a local context is a particularly good platform to bring about transformative change; and ≥≥These webinars provide a great opportunity for RCEs during this challenging time. This is a model of the RCE’s response to the pandemic. Dr Takiguchi emphasized a series of the webinars represented enthusiasm of RCEs in the Asia-Pacific region to tackle COVID-19. Dr Takiguchi was impressed that RCEs in Africa, America and Europe joined the webinars, demonstrating the strong bond of RCE communities in the world. “While the Coronavirus outbreak is still worsening globally, the a variety of actions by RCEs were very encouraging and empowering. In the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, we are required to think about a new style of economy, a new life style and a new style of ESD. For this purpose, I believe that these webinar give us a good opportunity to step forward.” Dr Hiroaki Takiguchi, Project Director (former), UNU-IAS 4 WEBINAR 1: KEYNOTE ADDRESS Professor Mario Tabucanon from UNUIAS Bangkok gave the keynote address for the first webinar held on 14th May. He acknowledged the valuable efforts of RCE Srinagar and RCE Greater Western Sydney, with the support of the Global RCE Service Centre, in bringing the RCEs together. “In the midst of the pandemic, we in the RCE community stand resolute in our allegiance to creating sustainable societies, in our collective aspirations to achieve the SDGs through the new ‘ESD for 2030’ framework, and in our firm embrace of the Ubuntu spirit of community, sharing and compassion. As the RCE community we assume moral obligations to share experiences; to care for each other; to have the audacity to explore avenues; and through education, to learn and act to prevent, ease and mitigate the effects of pandemics. Hence, this moment in time, this webinar, is a step forward in advancing RCEs’ pursuit of ESD. Despite social distancing, we can remain connected: geographical and political boundaries are only artificial. We live in one global ecosystem, and as such, human behaviours are interrelated, where one’s behaviour affects others’, and vice versa. We strengthen education by taking up alternative, innovative learning processes and creative pedagogies. So while the pandemic is horrible – heartbreaking - it at the same time, offers teachable learning moments. We are all in this together - that is the Ubuntu spirit, the RCE spirit that we all care and cherish!” Professor Mario Tabucanon, UNUIAS WEBINAR 1: RCE GLOBAL SERVICE CENTRE UPDATE Ms Miki Konishi, Programme Coordinator at UNU-IAS provided an keynote outlining the UNU-IAS response to COVID-19. Some of the RCE Regional Meetings and the Global RCE Conference planned this year have been postponed or their modalities have been changed to online. The latest information can be found on the RCE portal website. Initiatives taken by the UN and related entities were introduced, such as the article on COVID-19 and disaster resilience published by UNU-IAS, and COVID-19 Special Edition of Innovation Update by UN Innovation, and webinar series on UNESCO Learning Cities response to COVID-19 by UNESCO Institute for Life Long Learning.
webinar series report
To see the actual publication please follow the link above