Background

In recognition of the need for the University of the South Pacific to develop a more focused and collaborative approach to environmental education, research, consultancy and capacity building in the Pacific Island region, PACE-SD (PACE for short) was inaugurated in August 2001. Since its establishment, the Centre has moved from dream to reality and from promise to performance. By creating an enabling environment for collaborative initiatives, we have been able to show to USP and other stakeholders what an environment and sustainable development Centre will look like and act like. This year, 2010, marked the ninth year of the Centre’s operations and has been able to fuse an enabling environment for collaborative initiatives.

PACE Vision and Perspective

Vision

To be a centre of excellence for teaching, training and research capacity building for environment and sustainable development in the Pacific.

PACE vision is anchored on USP's vision for environment and sustainable development and is guided by a set of value systems that promote excellence, commitment, accountability, inclusiveness, and equity.

This vision will be achieved through a set of clear goals, which are designed:

• To coordinate, stimulate.catalyze and carry out environmental teaching, research and consultancy at USP
• To help improve synergism iniside and outside USP dealing with environmental issues and promoting sustainable developement
• To promote science-policy interactions and project level involvement between goverments and environmental networks and USP 

Mission

The centre is designed to work with all relevant sections of the University, regional and international organizations, regional government, communities and NGOs to promote environmentally sustainable development

PACE's thematic areas

The thematic priorities that formed the basis of these activities which were developed over a period of time under the continuous guidance of PACE's Advisory Committee may be categorised as: Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), Integrated Soild Waste Management (ISWM) and Staffing and Infrastructure Development (SID)

In general sense, all of what PACE have been doing may be seen under the broad umbrella of ESD where the emphasis is on Education for all using all modalities to promote resource use and development that is approriate for sustainable island living.