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UNESCO Credits SOIL Course

Last month I outlined the Permaculture course available at the School of Integrated Living (SOIL) in the ecovillage Earthaven (see here).

Recently, this program has been certified by Gaia Education, a provider of sustainability education across the world. The Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) credential will be provided through the Permaculture Immersion program running between Jun 10 and August 11 2017 at Earthaven ecovillage in North Carolina. The program provides students with both the knowledge and practical skills needed to design a society which reaches sustainable development principles supported by the UNESCO Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development.

The program has four main dimensions which are covered. The social element involves working towards a common vision, improving communication skills and the ability to deal with conflict and diversity within a society. The economic element includes assessing the impact of the global economy on local projects and coming up with ethical economic opportunities within projects. The ecological aspect is learning about permaculture principles, as well as designing water systems for projects and learning how to apply green building principles. Finally, the worldview aspect is about maintaining a healthy lifestyle whilst incorporating regular spiritual practice.

SOIL co-founder, Lee Walker Warren, said, “The program helps passionate people understand their impact on society and forge real connections with themselves and others. People who are deeply engaged in their local and global communities make the biggest impact, both on other individuals and the planet.”

Over 4,900 students have taken part in the Ecovillage Design Education program across the world, supported by Gaia. There are various locations where these programs take place including Estonia, Italy, Canada, Chile, South Korea, Thailand, India, Scotland, Switzerland, Japan and the Netherlands. However, SOIL is only one of two organisations in the US which offer the UNESCO recognised EDE course.

On completion of the course at Earthaven, both an EDE certificate and a Permaculture Design certificate will be awarded.

There is currently a $100 discount when booking through the SOIL website for the Permaculture Immersion program by using the promotional code: SOILPEI100.…

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February 23, 2017 1 Comment
Urban

Save the Spike


Sarah Bear – fighting A building where George Orwell once stayed when he wrote “Down and Out in Paris and London” now houses London’s most inventive and dynamic community arts project. But the inhabitants and the building, known locally as The Spike, are under threat from Southwark Council, which wants to kick out the long standing residents, demolish the building and then sit on their fat backsides and tell everyone what a great job they are doing.

The Spike Surplus Scheme, to give it its full name, is a large, beautiful and diverse community space that raises awareness for low-impact living, celebrates the fascinating history of the place, and makes dreams come true. They are planning a festival this weekend as they need to raise $400,000 to save the historic building which is about to be listed by English Heritage in a last ditch effort to prevent the eviction.

The locals love the community because “ Its pretty free in there – you can turn up and whatever you dream you can do” said Sarah Bear, 28, sho has been living there just over two years as a caretaker. She is also a freelance researcher and musician

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“I just want a better world for everyone, more opportunity for synchronicity magic to happen, more spaces for us to come together,” said Sarah.

The residents have a stunning community garden with free permaculture courses for all; a rehearsal and professional recording space for local bands and artists; a collaborative music production studio; a dojo used for yoga, martial arts and the like, with a weekly drop-in wellbeing clinic offering complementary therapies; a video production space; ‘camera obscura’; a cinema and much more. It’s all run on a donations basis and open to all. Come check the space… reckon you’ll love it.

They have big plans for the future development of The Spike, but they need help.

Southwark Council have decided with no notice that they want to sell the space, without event visiting to check what Spike contributes to Peckham.…

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September 8, 2008 No Comments