PRME Chapter UK & Ireland Breakout Session at the PRME Global Forum ‘From Global to Local: Advancing PRME at the Local and Regional Levels’
- mduffy486
- Aug 4
- 2 min read
Representatives from the PRME Chapter UK & Ireland Steering Committee were delighted to host an interactive breakout session at the PRME Global Forum at Cornell Tech in New York on Monday 9 June 2025.
The session, titled “From Global to Local: Advancing PRME at the Local and Regional Levels”, explored the current and potential development of PRME across regional and local contexts. It was facilitated by the Chapter Chair, Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas, the Vice-Chair, Laura Steele, the Local Networks Lead, Rachel Welton, and the Communications Co-Lead, Marc Duffy.
The session examined how both PRME Chapters and individual Signatory schools can partner with a range of stakeholders, including academic institutions, business leaders, policymakers, and students, to identify and respond to local needs and challenges. It included a short case study on the PRME Chapter UK & Ireland Local Networks (LNs), seven regional forums for PRME Signatories to collaborate, share best practice, engage with and develop the PRME Principles and Sustainable Development Goals at a more localised level. The LNs offer a vehicle to promote PRME, to organise and participate in local events, themed conferences, and other activities.
Though the use of pre-recorded videos, participants benefited from insights from several PRME Chapter UK & Ireland Local Network Leads–namely Georgina Gough and Constantine Manolchev (South Wales and South-West England Local Network), Inma Ramos and Smirti Kutaula (London and South-East England Local Network), Craig Anderson (Scotland Local Network), Orla Kelleher and Jaliyyah Bello (Midlands Local Network), and Konstantina Skritsovali and Sarah Williams (North-West & North Wales Local Network).
During the session, participants were invited to reflect on a series of discussion topics. A summary of the key points raised is provided below.
A Desire for Stronger Local Engagement in PRME
Inspired by the work of the UK & Ireland Chapter, participants expressed desire for stronger local engagement within their specific country or regional context, enhanced communication and resource sharing (for example, regular newsletters or a dedicated website if these were not already in place), and opportunities for professional development, such as regional training sessions on PRME and sustainability-related pedagogy, as well as certification programmes and mentoring structures.
A Need to Amplify Examples of Good Practice
In turn, participants outlined examples of good practice from their own institution or Chapter, for example, the development of localised case studies, the publication of white papers, and the formation of partnerships with other institutions to advance PRME and the SDGs. However, they expressed that it can be difficult to scale these initiatives and enable them to reach a wider audience.
Aspirations to Increase the Reach of PRME
Finally, participants expressed excitement and optimism about local-level engagement, suggesting fertile ground for experimentation and innovation at this level. In particular, ideas around the holding of collaborative events, faculty and student competitions, and peer-to-peer learning were explored.
For more information about the 2025 PRME Global Forum click here.
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