What is a Regional Centre of Expertise?

An initiative of the United Nations University, there are 154 Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) on Sustainability Education around the world including 8 in Canada and 3 in Ontario (Toronto, Sudbury and the Kawarthas). “RCEs” are networks of educational institutions, community, government, business and other organizations that work together to advance sustainability education. A “Centre” refers to an entire region designated as having expertise in sustainability education by the United Nations University.

At the UN General Assembly's meeting on July 13th, 2017, member states formally recognized RCEs in having an important role in implementing sustainability education (under point 33):

33. The United Nations University promotes multi-stakeholder cooperation at the local level and a global community of practice through the network of regional centres of expertise for education for sustainable development. The centres are networks of existing formal and non-formal organizations that facilitate learning about sustainable development in local communities. Across the world, 156 centres have been accredited so far. For this global network, the Global Action Programme and its implementation have provided a guiding discussion on the planning of regional activities. Centres in the Asia-Pacific region, for example, drafted a collective action plan on Programme priorities relating to the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Read about it here.