Steering Committee Review of Governance Diego Adamson, Director, RCE Cuenca del Plata 10th Americas RCE Regional Meeting 5-7 October, 2021

1. RCE Americas Network
Steering Committee
GOVERNANCE
Americas Annual Meeting
5-7 Oct, 2021
RCE
Americas
Network

2. Mission/Purpose:
“The RCE Americas Network Steering Committee facilitates collaboration
and exchange among RCE members, empowers them locally, and helps them
become a leading network in the region for transformative action through ESD
to achieve the SDGs throughout the Americas.”
Vision:
“Achieving the SDGs in the Americas by 2030 and creating
an ongoing Americas learning space for sustainable development”.
RCE
Americas
Network

3. RCE Americas Network | Governance Principles
1. RCE Autonomy and Accountability to Regional Stakeholders
● Capacity to advance local priorities
● Academic freedom as a core value
● Collaborative resources derived from individual RCEs and partners and managed locally
● RCE freedom to decide to participate in collaborative projects
● Representation of RCEs is on behalf of RCEs agreeing to be represented or as informed by
Commitments of the UN University on ESD
● Americas network serves RCSs - service leadership
2. RCE Authority Derived from UNU Acknowledgement
● RCEs are self-sustaining & derive resources from own regions
● RCEs reporting and accountability beyond own region is to the UN University program parameters
and whatever they agree to

4. 3. Collaboration and Cooperation
● Reciprocity
● Voluntary participation
● Resource sharing
● Multilingualism
● Equality
● Capacity building
● Community engagement
● Shared leadership
4. Inclusion and Participation
● Inclusion of and respect for indigenous cultures and worldviews
● Recognition of, respect for, celebration of, and strengthening of broad multiculturalism of the
Americas
RCE Americas Network | Governance Principles

5. Governance Structure
● Steering committee
○ Support Committees (Partnerships
and Peace)
■ Strategic planning,
Governance & Policy
■ Admin, technical &
Communication
■ Cooperation, Outreach,
Liaison & R&D
● Task forces by SDGs:
● 1, 5, 10, 16 – People
● 7, 8, 9, 11,12 - Sustainable Cities and
Prosperity
● 6, 13, 14, 15 – Planet
● 2, 3, 4 - Education and Well Being

6. Steering Committee

7. RCE Americas | Structure
STEERING COMMITTEE
Structure and approach
1. One person from each support committee
2. One person from each acknowledged Task Force
3. Youth Representation – 2 with diverse representation from the Americas (North and South)
4. Multilingualism
5. Equitable distribution of membership throughout the Americas
6. At large members- Co-chairs; advisor; UNU; General Advisor to the Service Centre

8. RCE Americas | Structure
STEERING COMMITTEE ROLE
Responsible for:
1. Oversight of the RCE Americas Network
2. Implement the mission based on the purpose and
principles.
3. Co-organization of Annual Americas Meetings
Agenda and development with respect for local hosts.
4. Representation, Collaboration, and Participation of
the RCEAN and other RCEs in third party
conferences.
5. Coordination of data collection and reporting.
6. Accountable to quarterly RCE gathering/annual
meeting.
7. Budget Oversight and coordination
8. Identifying network priorities
Possible deliverables:
1. Network strategy.
2. Policies.
3. Best practises for Americas meetings.
4. Quarterly and Annual reporting
5. Task Force template
6. An evaluation of outcomes annually

9. Steering Committee: Policies and Guidelines for Membership
● 3 year terms elected by the RCE membership at annual meetings.
● Participation in committee meetings and RCE quarterly and annual meetings.
● Ability to collaborate with other task forces and or support committees, as well as
represent their projects and initiatives to the Steering Committee for support.

10. SP | STRATEGY, GOVERNANCE AND POLICY
Responsibilities, Members, Representation

11. RCE Americas Network | Structure
SUPPORT COMMITTEE: STRATEGY, GOVERNANCE AND POLICY (general)
Responsible for:
1. Defining and developing the overall strategy.
2. Defining the strategic roadmap.
3. Exchange strategic information with other
committees and task forces.
4. Defining and developing the policies relevant
to the RCEAN’s governance.
5. Monitor their implementation.
6. Provide relevant information regarding
governance dynamics, metrics, etc.
7. Advise the steering committee, other
committees and task forces in relation to
governance and policy.
Possible deliverables:
1. Base document with Vision and Purpose, goals,
strategies, programs, projects, etc.
Working dynamics (TBD)
1. Regular zoom meetings every other month (?)
2. Meetings with steering committee and other
support committees also (interlaced) (?)
3. Shared Google Drive folder to compile and
organize the work.

12. Cooperation, Outreach, Liaison and R&D

13. RCE Americas Network | Structure
SUPPORT COMMITTEE: COOPERATION, OUTREACH & LIAISON + R&D
Responsible for:
1. RCEs database (general information,
structure, members, initiatives, resources,
etc)
2. Internal analysis of RCEs and the network
3. Partnership opportunities (programs,
specific actions, etc)
4. Monitoring and reporting of Americas RCE
activity
5. Encouraging development of new RCEs
6. Assist in defining strategic/relevant topics,
stakeholder mapping/management...
7. Assist in putting together worthy material
for publication
Possible deliverables:
1. Best practises for cooperation between
RCEs.
2. Best practises for cooperation between RCEs
and external organizations.

14. COMMS, TECH, ADMIN

15. RCE Americas | Structure
SUPPORT COMMITTEE: COMMUNICATIONS, TECH, ADMIN
Responsible for:
1. Defining, designing and implementing the
technical aspect of the digital ecosystem (web,
social media, emailing)
2. Building on technical strengths of individual
RCEs
3. Reporting on technology use indicators
4. Defining and Developing the identity,
communications objectives, key indicators &
messages, strategy, and roadmaps
5. Keeping up to date with any communication
efforts by each RCE
6. Developing content for the network in line with
strategy in all defined languages
7. Reporting on key indicators
Possible deliverables:
1. Base document with Vision and Purpose, goals, strategies,
programs, projects, etc.
2. IT management
○ Web portal.
○ Shared file drive.
○ Digital ecosystem.
3. ADM: Database of RCE members, funding opportunities.
4. New visual identity for the Network (logo, brand manual,
brand kit).
5. Web portal (with technical committee)
6. Communications strategy.
7. Design and content for digital ecosystem.
8. Content development for each communication channel to
target audiences.
9. RCEAN Yearbook (annual report)

16. TASK FORCES

17. RCE Americas | Structure | Task Forces
Main SDGs:
PEOPLE
Main SDGs:
CITIES &
PROSPERITY
Main SDGs:
PLANET
Main SDGs:
EDUCATION &
WELLBEING

18. RCE Americas Network | Structure
TASK FORCES
Responsible for:
1. Defining and developing its relevant
scope.
2. Definition of goals, strategies,
programs, projects, etc.
3. Definition of its metrics and KPIs.
4. Define Management/collaboration tools
5. Meetings
6. Supplying the support committees with
relevant information in line with its
scope.
7. Reporting
Possible deliverables:
1. Base document with Vision and Purpose, goals,
strategies, programs, projects, etc.
Working dynamics (TBD)
1. Decide on a meeting timeline
2. Definition of goals, strategies, programs, projects,
3. Multiple approach through: Education, Research, Advocacy,
On-the-field initiatives, etc.
4. Management and collaboration tools
5. Progress monitoring and reporting
6. Presentation at Americas Meetings and Virtual Gatherings.
Open call for coordination and participation from all RCEs

19. OVERALL STRATEGY

20. RCE AMERICAS NETWORK’S PURPOSE-DRIVEN STRATEGY
#SustainableNetwork

22. The RCE Americas Network can work on and help advance all Priority Action Areas

23. POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTION FROM THE RCE AMERICAS NETWORK

24. ESD for 2030
RCE Americas Network
RCE x
PAA 1 PAA 2 PAA 3 PAA 4 PAA 5
RCE y RCE z

25. ESD 2030 | SDG strategy
RCE Americas
Network’s
approach to all
17 SDGs

26. LEADERSHIP = VISION + EXPERTISE + AMBITION
RCE AMERICAS NETWORK 2030 ROAD MAP
FROM TOTAL POTENTIAL UNIVERSE
(SCOPE/REACH)
X % of students and communities in the
Americas
X % PAA 1
X % PAA 2
X % PAA 3
X % PAA 4
X % PAA 5
Excellence in Education (SDG 4)
Solid cooperation (SDG 17)
Inclusive, Transparent and Innovative
(SDG 5, 8, 9, 10, 16)
Carbon Neutral Network (SDG 13)
Zero Waste Network (SDG 12)
Biodiversity Positive Network (SDG 15)
QUANTITATIVE GOALS FOR 2030 QUALITATIVE GOALS FOR 2030

27. SGP Support Committee: Responsibilities set in December 2020
Defining
and
developing
the overall
strategy.
Defining the
strategic
roadmap.
R 1 R 2
Exchange
strategic
information
with other
committees
and task
forces.
Defining
and
developing
the policies
relevant to
the RCEAN’s
governance.
R 3 R 4
Monitor
implementation
Provide
relevant
information
regarding
governance
dynamics,
metrics, etc.
R 5 R 6
Advise the
steering
committee,
other
committees
and task
forces in
relation to
governance
and policy.
R 7

28. STRATEGY, GOVERNANCE AND POLICY SUPPORT COMMITTEE
Required inputs from other committees and task forces
In order to accomplish its purpose, the SGP
support committee requires from other support
committees and task forces:
● Definition of purpose, objectives, and
working dynamics / standards.
● Defining policies
● Agenda and working schedules.
● Other relevant inputs.
With such information the SGP support committee
can start working in order to provide a broad
approach to the strategy and roadmaps for 2021/2

29. Gracias (español)
Thank you (english)
Obrigado (português)
Mercì (française)
Añay (Quechua)
Aguije (Guaraní)
RCE
Americas
Network

30. Support Committee | STRATEGIC PLANNING | Members
Nbr Full name Country Geography Official Language RCE Steering C
1 Joshua Cooper USA North america English RCE Hawai'i No
2 Beth M. Graham USA North america English RCE Greater Atlanta No
3 Nancy Merlo Hernandez USA North america English RCE Puerto Rico No
4 Brian Polkinghorn USA North america English RCE Salisbury Yes
5 Brittany Foutz USA North america English RCE Salisbury Yes
6 Charles Hopkins Canada North america English UNU-RCE Service centre Global Advisor Yes
7 Diego Adamson Argentina South america Spanish Cuenca del Plata Yes
8 Lin Harmon-Walker USA North america English (Developing new RCE in Washington, DC) Yes
9 Jon Yee Canada North america English RCE Saskatchewan Yes
10 Pamela Martin USA North america English RCE Georgetown Yes
11 Meghna Tare USA North america English RCE North Texas Yes
12 Roger Petry Canada North america English RCE Saskatchewan Yes
13 John Travis Sterling USA North america English RCE Salisbury Yes

31. Nbr Full name RCE Country Geography Language Steering C
1 Leisha B DeRiso Georgetown USA North america English No
2 Kim Smith Greater Portland USA North america English No
3 Monica Clavijo Bogotá Colombia South america Spanish No
4 Eduardo Sacayon Guatemala Guatemala South america Spanish No
5 Cara Schildtknecht Georgetown USA North america English No
6 Denise MacDonald Saskatchewan Canada North america English No
7 Joseph Fitsanakis Georgetown USA North america English No
8 Jillian McFarland North Texas USA North america English Yes
9 Ilan David Bass Salisbury USA North america English Yes
10 Till J.J. Hanebuth Georgetown USA North america English Yes
Support Committee | Coop, Outreach, Liaison, R&D

32. Full name RCE Country Geography Language Steering C
Maira Ruggi Curitiba Brazil S america Portuguese Yes
Oriana Silva Texas USA N America Spanish No
Ilan Bass Salisbury USA N America English No
Brittany Foutz Salisbury USA N america English Yes
Diego Adamson Cuenca del Plata Spanish Yes
Support Committee | Comms, Tech, Admin