1. AFRICAN RCE’s: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Dick D. K. Kachilonda

2. CHALLENGES Conceptual understanding of an RCE Communication
What builds an RCE
Stakeholder’s involvement in RCE activities
Stakeholders engagement on common interest
Communication
Limited interaction among stakeholders within and across RCEs to share knowledge, skills and experiences in ESD
Limited access to internet facilities
Under-reporting of RCE activities

3. CHALLENGES CONT.
Lack of stakeholders common interest/common object in ESD activities to bring them together
Governance in RCEs
Who/which institution is to coordinate and take lead in activities
How are the structures of the RCE and who is most involved in the activities
How are the activities designed, planned and implemented
Less consultations and sharing of research project by universities and other institutions
Limited financial resources to run RCE activities.

4. OPPORTUNITIES Collaborative research projects
RCEs teaming up; engaging categories of stakeholders e.g. govt., universities, depending on focus of specific project
Possibilities of making joint proposals for activity based projects
Visibility of RCEs - showcasing RCE activities in other ESD forums e.g. EEASA in southern Africa; West Africa and East Africa similar forums
Publication of RCEs best practices for others to learn and wherever possible get support from org., govt.

5. OPPORTUNITIES
Interaction with policy makers to showcase what RCEs are doing and wherever possible get support from them
Building RCE networks at local, national, regional and continental levels to create a sharing forums for ESD
Linking RCE activities with some already existing programmes
Sharing of RCE success stories through electronic media (RCE Google group)

6. WHAT NEXT ? RCE Policy makers Other international organisations
Other government
departments
Local
communities
RCE Community of
Practice/learning
Institutions of
higher learning
NGOs