GVSU, area groups recognized at worldwide sustainability conference

Grand Valley State University was recognized at the United Nations University 2014 Global RCE Conference for preparing students for the workforce by teaching sustainability skill sets.

Representatives from 77 countries and 129 Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCEs) gathered at the conference in Okayama, Japan, November 4-7. Norman Christopher, director of the Office of Sustainability Practices, gave a presentation, “Sustainability Skill Sets and Jobs in the New Economy,” at the conference and accepted an RCE Recognition Award that acknowledged the project. 

Christopher’s presentation focused on the results of a survey he conducted with companies to understand the type of sustainability skill sets they seek in new employees. He found that 93 percent of those surveyed responded with a “yes” or “somewhat” to the importance of hiring employees with sustainability skill sets, while 59 percent of respondents said they already employee a person with those skills. 

“When it comes to sustainability and preparing students for the workforce, our goal is to think globally, build regionally and act locally,” Christopher said. “Grand Valley wants to keep its students employed in West Michigan upon graduation and that strategy is working.” 

The Grand Rapids RCE has implemented several programs since its inception in 2007: Seeds of Promise, Plaster Creek Watershed project, Christopher’s “Employable Sustainability Skill Sets” study, the Wege Prize Competition on the Wicked Programs of Sustainability, and the annual Virtual Youth Conference through Grand Rapids Public Schools. 

“We learned at this conference that West Michigan is having a global impact; people are recognizing our collective efforts and impact on an international scale,” said Christopher.

A group of non- and for-profit organizations in Grand Rapids was the first to establish an RCE in the United States. Current members include Grand Valley, Kendall College of Art and Design, City of Grand Rapids, Hope College, Calvin College, Western Michigan University and Catalyst Partners.

Gail Heffner from Calvin College also accepted an RCE Recognition Award for the Plaster Creek Watershed project.

About RCEs

An RCE is a network of public, private and higher education organizations that facilitate and implement education for sustainable development in local and regional communities. RCEs have aspired to achieve the goals of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, 2005-2014, by translating its global objectives into the context of the local communities in which they operate. Future goals will focus on education for sustainable development and best practices.