On 17 November 2025, UNU-IAS concluded an online training series on action-oriented pedagogies for Education for Sustainable Development (AOP-ESD). Four training sessions were held from September to November 2025, intended for members of the global network of Regional Centres of Expertise on ESD (RCEs). A total of 187 participants across the RCE regions (Africa and the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Americas) joined the online training series, which explored approaches that bridge the gap between knowledge and action so that learners in RCE communities can engage actively in creating tangible solutions to sustainability challenges.
The training emphasized the importance of engaging with real-world community challenges, collaborating with others and taking meaningful action. Led by Nafissa Insabayeva (Consultant, UNU-IAS), training facilitators from the Global RCE Service Centre at UNU-IAS used a blended approach where hands-on activities and interactive discussions enabled participants to reflect on their experience with ESD initiatives and make improvements on their ESD training materials. The AOP-ESD toolkit, consisting of a lesson plan framework, guidelines on designing action-oriented activities, templates and idea cards on creative and context-driven solutions, was launched and used by the participants. The toolkit outlined seven key components of AOP-ESD: problem-based and real-world issues, community engagement, learner participation, collaboration, empathy, regional and cultural relevance, and interdisciplinarity.
The publication "Learning for a Sustainable Future: RCE Stories of Action-Oriented Pedagogy" was also announced and shared with the participants. Part of UNU-IAS research project Fostering Innovative Pedagogies and Action-Oriented Education for Sustainable Development, the publication compiles cases of successful implementation of AOP-ESD by RCEs in diverse educational contexts.
About Regional Centres of Expertise on ESD (RCEs)
RCEs are networks that facilitate learning and action on sustainability in local communities. Each RCE brings together organizations and individuals to promote education for sustainable development (ESD), build innovative knowledge-sharing platforms, and encourage dialogue and collaboration between diverse stakeholders. Together they form the Global RCE Network, a transboundary learning space for sustainable development.
