What is RCE Gippsland? Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCEs) are a global network of formal and non formal education organisations that seek to empower people of all ages to assume responsibility for creating a sustainable future through public awareness and understanding, access to quality basic education, reorientating existing education and providing training programmes for all sectors. RCEs aspire to achieve the goals of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development ( DESD, 2005-2014) by translating its global objectives into the context of the local communities in which they operate.

Switched on Schools Summit

On the 28th and 29th of October 2016, The Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) and supported by local sustainability groups did a fantastic job, bringing together over 120 students from nine local high schools to talk about and tackle the issues of Sustainability and climate change for the Switched on Schools Summit, the first to ever be held in Latrobe Valley.

The students gathered at Federation University and heard from local speakers trying to create a vision for the future of the Latrobe Valley. The students, had a chance to come up with their own proposals to take implement in their school, these included proposals for vegetable gardens, sustainable food supply, solar panels, less waste, better school design and energy efficient light globes to minimise their carbon footprint.

In the Long-term, each school has a supporting volunteer that will guide them with their projects, these have been from local government agencies and some environmental groups

There were many great ideas around how young people can take action in their schools and communities.

Below are some photos of the event

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