RCE Tongyeong International Forum
Together for a Sustainable Future
On May 16 and 17, 2025, the picturesque coastal city of Tongyeong in South Korea became the gathering place for dedicated education stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific region. The occasion was the 16th Tongyeong International Forum, which focused on regional solidarity, vibrant exchange, and shared visions for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). In a warm and inspiring atmosphere, knowledge was not only shared but new paths of collaboration were explored to build a fairer and more sustainable future.
The forum was held in celebration of two anniversaries: the 20th anniversary of RCE Tongyeong and the 10th anniversary of the RCE Sejahtera Forest Training Center.
A highlight of the event was the keynote speech by Professor Dzulkifli Abdul Razak from Universiti Sains Malaysia. In his inspiring keynote titled “The Meaning of ‘Sejahtera’ Blooming Across Asia-Pacific,” he introduced the Malaysian concept of Sejahtera, which stands for holistic well-being.
Prof. Razak emphasized that education in the 21st century must undergo a paradigm shift. While the 20th century focused primarily on economic growth, education today must increasingly promote humanity, compassion, and global responsibility. Sejahtera advocates for an understanding of education that prioritizes community well-being, cultural values, and cooperative learning.
According to Razak, core principles such as collaboration, coexistence, and co-creation are essential to building sustainable communities. Education should not only impart knowledge but also nurture responsible citizens who face today’s challenges with social and ecological sensitivity.
Dr. Jonghwi Park from the Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability at the United Nations University (UNU-IAS) emphasized the central role of RCEs in implementing global sustainability goals at the local level. She specifically advocated for project-based learning methods and increased citizen participation to make educational processes more sustainable and impactful.
Representatives of the Hanns Seidel Foundation from Mongolia, Korea, and China also actively participated in the discussions. They shared their experiences in building regional expert networks. In April of this year, the Environmental Education Center of the National University of Mongolia submitted an application to establish an RCE in Mongolia. At the forum, strategies for addressing related challenges were presented, along with valuable insights from the development and cooperation of RCEs across the Asia-Pacific region.
Another key topic was the organization of a youth exchange between the RCE center in Hangzhou, China, and RCE Tongyeong in South Korea — a step toward further strengthening cross-border collaboration in Education for Sustainable Development.
Education for Sustainable Development is a central area of action for the Foundation — and events like the Tongyeong Forum highlight the importance of cross-border dialogue and joint commitment to a sustainable future.