Contribution of Kobe University to the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Hyogo‐Kobe
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 19 September 2008
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on education for sustainable development (ESD) Hyogo‐Kobe, and the contribution of Kobe University as a model case. An attempt to develop and implement a new ESD programme in higher education is also reported.
Design/methodology/approach
A brief description of RCE Hyogo‐Kobe, which was approved in 2007, is followed by the description of the contribution of Kobe University to the RCE's starting phase to date and in the near future. The initiative of establishing the RCE as well as the design and implementation of the ESD programme developed through the collaboration of three faculties: the Faculty of Human Development, the Faculty of Letters, and the Faculty of Economics. The programme focuses on students carrying out participatory action research enabled by collaboration with regional stakeholders on ESD and SD.
Findings
Interdisciplinary collaboration was found to be essential in creating an innovative education programme in higher education. Activities and projects on ESD that existed earlier played important roles in the initiative, in formation of the network, and in directing RCE activities.
Originality/value
Information from the case study will be useful in the establishment and development of an RCE through the initiative of an institute of higher education.
Keywords
Citation
Itoh, M., Suemoto, M., Matsuoka, K., Ito, A., Yui, K., Matsuda, T. and Ishikawa, M. (2008), "Contribution of Kobe University to the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Hyogo‐Kobe", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 9 No. 4, pp. 479-486. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370810905571
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited