The 14th Global RCE Conference was held from October 21 to 23 at the Okayama Convention Center. As part of the conference program, Okayama University organized and hosted a field visit on October 23.
Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE)on Education for Sustainable Development are regional networks acknowledged by the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) to promote Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at the local level. Approximately 200 RCEs have been recognized worldwide. RCE Okayama was one of the first seven RCEs acknowledged in 2005 and has since developed pioneering initiatives over many years.

Okayama University participated in the conference as a Supporting Organization and contributed in multiple ways, including serving on the drafting committee for the “RCE Okayama Declaration 2025,” organizing and hosting a university-led panel discussion, coordinating the field visit, and providing student support for overall conference operations.

The field visit at Okayama University included guided tours of campus facilities such as the Co-Creation Innovation Lab (KIBINOVE). Approximately 50 participants attended, including 30 conference participants, 13 accompanying representatives from related organizations, and eight Okayama University students who assisted in the program.

In his opening remarks, President Yasuto Nasu stated: “Under our Whole Institution Approach, we will introduce initiatives rooted in the region that promote intergenerational and place-based learning, as well as efforts to foster education, creativity, and the co-creation of the future for the well-being of humanity and the planet.” The subsequent program featured diverse sessions, with participants demonstrating strong engagement and active responses.

Okayama University will continue to accelerate its research, education, and community engagement initiatives through multi-stakeholder and intergenerational collaboration, contributing to the co-creation of a desirable future for both the region and the planet.

Field Visit Program
1. Opening Session
2. Breakout Sessions
　Group 1: “ESD Research and Education” (ESD Collaborative Research and Promotion Center, Graduate School of Education)
　　Professor Hiroki Fujii
　Group 2: “Youth Session: From Dreams to Action – From Self-Realization to Self-Transcendence” (Global Engagement Center)
　　Professor Atsufumi Yokoi
　　Ms. Yu Tsuha, Global Administrator
　　Ms. Sofia Bermudez, Youth Ambassador of the Okayama University UNESCO Chair
　　Ms. Manapo Ishikawa, Faculty of Medicine student
　　Mr. Keita Katayama, student at Okayama Ichinomiya Senior High School　3. Presentation (Fukutake Foundation)
　“Learning for Well-being at Benesse Art Site Naoshima”
　　Ms. Ayano Fujiwara, Top Educator
4. Presentation (Nagase Viita Co., Ltd.)
　“From Okayama to a Sustainable Future: Collaborative Food Education Activities ‘School of Food’ and Joint Research with Okayama University”
　　Mr. Keisuke Takemoto, Director and Head of Sustainability Management Division
　　Ms. Yuko Takai, Head of Communication Design, Sustainability Management Division
　　Ms. Ooi Lia, Leader, Plant Research Unit, Research Technology and Value Creation Division
5. Campus Facility Tour (OUX Co-Creation Commons and Green Innovation Center)
　　Associate Professor Hammood Alwashali