Okayama University Hosts International Guests for Sustainable Learning Conference

A Landmark Gathering on Sustainable Learning

On October 20, 2025, esteemed speakers from various corners of the globe visited Okayama University, hosted by President Yasuyuki Nasu. They were in Japan to participate in the 14th Global RCE Conference, which would be held from October 21 to 23, 2025, at Okayama City, organized by the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability and RCE Okayama. The guest list included Rajani Naidoo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter in the UK; Darla Deardorff, Professor at Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Ilan Enverga from UNESCO Youth; and Sofia Bermudez, a Youth Ambassador at Okayama University’s UNESCO Chair.

These distinguished guests came together to discuss critical insights for the thematic session titled "Planetary-centered Universities at the Ethical Turn: Advancing ESD beyond the SDGs for Human and Planetary Well-being." They engaged in productive discussions on how universities can incorporate sustainability and well-being into their core functions such as governance, research, educational programs, and community engagement. The dialogue aimed to explore how such transformations could catalyze local and global change.

During this courtesy visit, they exchanged views on university dynamics in their respective countries, highlighting the roles of student governance. They discussed the comparative structure of student-led organizations and the importance of international collaborative efforts in higher education, which could drive social transformation.

The anticipated focus of the upcoming conference will center around achieving sustainability through education, looking back on the last 20 years of the Regional Centers of Expertise (RCE). The theme, “Rethinking Learning for a Sustainable Future: 20 Years of RCE Action and Innovation,” aims to assess the received outcomes and strategize future directions for ESD initiatives.

RCE: A Global Initiative for Sustainable Education

The RCE (Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development) initiative is recognized by the United Nations University, aiming to promote local level ESD activities. Since 2005, RCE Okayama has been one of the first RCEs accredited globally, setting a benchmark for regions worldwide. It serves as a collaborative platform aiming to enhance the education system's response to sustainability challenges.

The Global RCE Conference is a biannual event that fosters dialogues among global RCE stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of past ESD activities and plan for the future. The conference in Okayama marks its second occurrence since 2014, when it hosted the UNESCO World Conference on ESD and is a pivotal moment as it constitutes the first multiple hosting of the event in the same city.

A Vision for the Future

As the world shifts towards sustainability, Okayama University remains committed to supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It has earned accolades such as the Special Prize at the first Japan SDGs Award and continues to champion collaborative projects that aim to co-create solutions for local and global communities.

The university's leadership emphasizes the importance of innovative educational approaches that foster a sense of responsibility among students and academics alike. As they prepare to host this esteemed conference, Okayama University invites the global community to witness and engage in meaningful dialogues aimed at reorienting education towards a sustainable future.

By embedding sustainability into its educational framework, Okayama University is not merely participating in discourse but is actively shaping the future of higher education, steering its doctrines toward addressing the challenges of our time. This conference heralds a new chapter in educational collaboration across borders, setting a precedent for the global pursuit of sustainable learning.

For more insights into the conference and the initiatives of Okayama University, visit their official website.