Trivandrum as a UNU RCE
The Global RCE Service Centre and Ubuntu Committee members have finalized the review process and have forwarded the official acknowledgement for the establishment of the United Nations University Regional Centre of Expertise Thiruvananthapuram. This is a unique opportunity for the sustainable development initiatives of this region to be reflected in the policy process of
United Nations and other international fora. The United Nations Decade on Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) established the RCE movement to look towards the future of the global community against the backdrop of the new solutions taking shape in sustainable development and education. This stemmed from the awareness that unless local stakeholders work together to find and implement local solutions to local sustainable development problems, all efforts to translate global sustainable development policy and vision into local realities go in vain. By creating partnerships among groups and individuals as diverse as educators, researchers, policymakers, scientists, youth, and throughout the public, private and non-governmental sectors, RCEs are able to provide a framework for strategic thinking in creating visible change in communities. Trivandrum gets to be part of a global network of more than 200 Sustainable Development model regions across various continents with a shared knowledge base and potential collaborations. The major agendas on focus includes Climate Change, Health, Better Schools, Sustainable Consumption and Production , Livelihoods and Well-being ,Youth, Higher Education ,Traditional Knowledge ,Biodiversity, Disaster Risk Reduction, Inclusive Development and Learning, Capacity development, Research and Development, Communications and Engagement with International Sustainability Processes. A sustainable environment where natural, historic, cultural and spiritual resources are abundant, diverse, pristine, well managed and protected.
2. A society that is endowed with scientific temper and motivated for social action aimed at sustainable development and social, economic and gender justice.
3. An inclusive economy that respond to the needs of the all social strata and provide a balance of interests in issues relating to development. Short and Long Term Objectives of the RCE
The vision of the RCE Thiruvananthapuram is to tackle the problems identified in the key challenges in the region and contribute to the promotion of Education for Sustainable Development at regional, national and global levels. RCE Thiruvananthapuram aims to create a benchmark for other regions in tackling sustainable development challenges and contribute to the goals set by the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Short-term objectives
1) Create an interdisciplinary and multifaceted platform for promoting collaborative initiatives among the key regional stakeholders and others interested to realize a sustainable Trivandrum.
2) Formulate a comprehensive research database and network for the Government and Industry to help them integrate sustainability into their policies and practices.
3) Empower and educate the youth in the region to be a formidable force in pressing issues of sustainability and building youth volunteer initiatives.
4) Develop several capacity building initiatives and training sessions to educate people entrusted with various roles in society to practice sustainability in their vocations. Long-term objectives
5) Raise public awareness and action about the key sustainability issues in the region (especially in the contect of threatened biodiversity, agriculture, and traditional knowledge) for a sustainable way of life in the region.
6) Bring about interregional and global collaboration with other RCEs, developing joint projects, research and mechanisms for sharing and disseminating knowledge, experiences, expertise and best practices in ESD. The Key Challenges Of The Region
1.Biodiversity Conservation
Thiruvananthapuram which is strategically located within the Western Ghats ranges is a UN Biodiversity hotspot. We have organized three Indian Biodiversity Congresses (IBCs) in different regions which took stock of the research and development activities in the country till recently. The RCE will coordinate research on pockets of Western Ghats to assess the loss of endemic flora and fauna and formulate conservation strategies to preserve endangered species, indigenous cattle, valuable medicinal and aromatic plants.
2.Conserving Traditional Wisdom and Best Practices
Conserving and utilizing valuable traditional wisdom is very important in the management of sustainable development. The population has lived in harmony with the environment and has evolved unique knowledge systems inspired by it. Kerala is well known for its rich heritage in Ayurveda, Yoga and other allied forms of health disciplines in the region of Trivandrum, local knowledge about food diversity, agricultural practices and medicinal plants is fading away. The RCE will attempt to strengthen indigenous health systems, food cultures and agricultural practices.
3.Promoting organic agriculture
The unsustainable farming practices like indiscriminate use of chemicals and pesticides to increase productivity had resulted in devastating damages to soil, environment, human and animal health. Research and extension programs will be implemented under RCE to assess the extent of damage caused and to promote organic farming at the grass roots level so as to ameliorate the damage done. The RCE will continue to work on the SreshtaKrishi campaign to strengthen training and availability of raw materials for organic farming in the region.
4.Good food Movement
The junk food culture is spreading fast among the youth and the public in general. Excessive use of taste inducing additives and chemicals cause heavy damage to public health and result in several serious diseases which are life threatening. The RCE will be vigorously engaged in the “Annam movement” reviving traditional food cultures and locally available products including the hugely successful Jackfruit festival campaign.
5. Research and development in Ayurveda
CISSA has so far organized three Global Ayurveda Festivals (GAFs) in different centers in Kerala in which foreign delegates from more than 500 countries and thousands of Indian delegates participated. Ayurveda holds immense promise and potential in evolving public health strategies due to its inherent holistic and socio economic nature. The RCE would envisage bringing together the traditional and modern Ayurveda vaidyas researchers and policy makers to realize the potential of Ayurveda in public health.
6. Disaster Management
CISSA has already launched the research centre in 2014 to conduct research on formulating strategies to control lighting hazards. Kerala, by virtue of its geographical location is highly prone to lightning, floods, coastal-erosion, landslides, drought and storm-surges. RCE will work extensively on eliminating loss of many precious lives and damage to property with the adoption of scientific precautions,. LARC had started a state wide awareness program covering schools of the entire 14 districts where the public is also enlightened on the subject.
7.Promotion of Ecotourism
Thiruvananthapuram has great potential in developing tourism into its abundant natural habitat in Western Ghats region without disturbing the pristine nature. The challenge is to reduce unsustainable development practices in ecologically sensitive areas and tap into alternative tourism (ecotourism, medicinal tourism and cultural-tourism) as a major source of local community income. The RCE will undertake studies on viable projects and tourism promotion that would contribute to the greater inflow of national and international tourists.
4. Waste management
Urban waste, e-waste, toxic substances and plastic, pose grave challenges in efficient waste management practices in rural and urban areas. Functioning of hospitals and industry further complicate the issue by discharging their toxic effluents and waste to adjacent water bodies which pollute the environment and natural ecosystem. RCE works on awareness campaigns and efficient strategies involving stakeholders to educate them about the sustainable management practices to be followed in the safe and healthy disposal of the different categories of waste. Mobilization of Multiple Stakeholders
The multiple stakeholders have been long partnering on various initiatives for sustainable development in the RCE Thiruvananthapuram region. RCE Thiruvananthapuram consists of a variety of partners and stakeholders ranging from higher educational Institutions, Schools, Municipal Government bodies, NGOs, Civil society and Research Institutes. For achieving sustainable development it is imperative that a diverse set of like-minded institutions come together and collaborate. The various ESD related activities that have been executed in the past is a testimony to the collaborative initiatives that has brought this network of institutions together. The key partners are Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA), State Horticulture Mission, Mitraniketan, Shantiniketan, Triveni, Indian Institute of Infromation Technology and Management, Society of Energy Engineers and Managers, Universities and Schools. Management Structure
The CISSA office at Thiruvanathapuram located in the UdaraSiromaniroad will serve as the official Secretariat of the RCE. CISSA will be responsible for the overall management of the RCE and the effective coordination between partner organizations on various projects.
