Dobong-gu, First Autonomous District in Seoul to Receive 'UN University Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE)' Certification

On the 21st, Dobong-gu Becomes the First Seoul District Certified as a 'UN University Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE)'... Expected to Serve as a Hub for Sustainable Development Education

RCE Dobong-gu Certificate

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Dobong-gu (Mayor Dongjin Lee) was selected on the 21st as the first Seoul metropolitan district to be designated as a ‘Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE)’ by the United Nations University.

It becomes the sixth RCE member city in South Korea.

The Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) is a regional hub that promotes Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). As of 2018, 168 cities in 59 countries worldwide have been certified.

RCE certified cities actively share best practices and information on sustainable development and ESD through the Global RCE Conference, Asia-Pacific RCE Conference, and the RCE Network, and carry out field-oriented projects.

So far, the district has taken the lead in raising public awareness of sustainable development education and spreading ESD by forming the Dobong RCE Preparatory Committee, conducting the ‘Dobong-type RCE Model and Vision Establishment Research Service’ and related institution workshops, visiting the United Nations University, attending the 12th RCE Asia-Pacific Conference, presenting the excellent case study ‘Gathering Sunlight for Neighbors’ as the first Seoul city applying for RCE certification, and hosting the ‘2019 Dobong ESD International Forum.’

Going forward, Dobong-gu will actively utilize the United Nations University and the RCE certified city network to establish a sustainable development education system, participate in the dynamic RCE network, and receive multifaceted consulting support to build the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE).

Additionally, by introducing Dobong-gu’s excellent cases of sustainable development education domestically and internationally, it plans to actively play a hub role in establishing the status of sustainable development and ESD.

Mayor Dongjin Lee of Dobong-gu emphasized, “Starting with the RCE certification, Dobong will strive to lay the groundwork to spread and develop sustainable development education in our society by integrating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with Dobong’s identity as a sustainable development city.”

■ New RCE Member Cities in 2019 (6 cities, total 174 cities)

- RCE Dobong-gu (South Korea)

- RCE Omuta (Japan)

- RCE Ostw?rttemberg (Germany)

- RCE Otago (New Zealand)

- RCE Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico)

- RCE Salisbury (United States)

Sustainable Policy Division 2091-4814