Dear Friends of the Earth,
Heard of Gaia University?
It's an an action-learning based institution for higher learning rooted in the Permaculture ethics offering bachelors, masters and post-graduate degrees for action-learning project work in personal, cultural, and planetary transformation.
Check it out.
-Living Mandala
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Gaia University Orientation & Degree Programs
Integrative EcoSocial Design / Organizing Learning for EcoSocial Regeneration / Open Topic
Hosted by the Sustainable Farm Institute, U.S. Virgin Islands
Dec 1 - 13, 2009
What is Gaia University?
Gaia University is a growing institution for higher learning with a unique approach. Our students ('associates') are able to earn accredited Bachelors & Masters degrees and Graduate Diplomas while actively engaged in self and planetary transformation and ecosocial regeneration.
How it Works
Gaia U is based on a methodology called Action Learning and is guided by the principles of Earth Care, People Care, & Fair Share. Within that framework, associates work on self-selected, self-directed projects anywhere in the world they choose, documenting their outcomes and learning process along the way. Throughout their program, they are supported by an international network of learning providers, advisors and mentors and a collaborative online e-learning environment.
Cultivating World Changers
By fusing passion and vision with self-directed practical experience, associates initiate and nurture local and global sustainability, regeneration, justice and peace. At the same time, they refine their skills and deepen their experience to become more effective world changers.
Degree Programs
Integrative EcoSocial Design (IESD) BSc, MSc, GD*
For those wanting to integrate ecological and social aspects of design into projects that focus on ecosystems, societies, communities, technologies, and personal lifestyles.
Organizing Learning for EcoSocial Regeneration (OLE) MSc, GD
For those interested in applied organizational learning and design. Some people focus on the development of a GU regional center as their primary project.
Open Topic (OT) BSc, MSc, GD
For those who are working at a strategic level as world changers and want to design their own program topic.
*GD Post Masters Graduate Diploma
Dates
Orientation Workshop: Dec 1-8, 2009
Extension Workshop (IESD & OLE): Dec 9 - 13, 2009
Closing workshop year: Dec, 2010
Closing workshop year 2 & Gradutation: Dec, 2011
Re-evaluation Counseling Fundamentals
Workshop (optional, open to the public): Dec 14 - 17, 2009
Venue: Sustainable Farm Institute, U.S. Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute is over one hundred acres of rolling green hills and valleys nestled in the highlands of the northwest corner of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. VISFI promotes the development of agroecology: an innovative field of agriculture that enjoins productivity with resource conservation by using ecological and indiginous management models to create sustainable life systems. We believe local, organic agriculture and a practical educational experience are the first steps toward building vital communities and achieving long term sustainability within a healthy environment. These beliefs have led us to the establishment of our Four Pillars: Education, Sustainability, Community, and Environment. We use these focal points to guide decisions that will promote our farm’s vision. For more information visit www.visfi.org
Instructors & Facilitators
The Orientation will be lead by Gaia University co-founders and co-presidents - Andrew Langford and Liora Adler.
Andrew Langford and Liora Adler have spent the last 35 years working to create projects and tools to address the personal, social, and global transformation of our times.
Andrew brought Permaculture to the UK in 1986 and initiated the Permaculture Association of Britain, as well as the Permaculture Diploma WorkNet upon which the design of Gaia University is based. He has been active in the European permaculture and ecovillage networks, is a member of the European Permaculture Council and has served on the European Council of the Global Ecovillage Network.
Liora has focused on the human architecture underlying ecovillages and other social change groups. She has shared her experience and knowledge in 30 countries, as a member of the Board of Directors of the Global Ecovillage Network, its representative to the UN, and as a co-founder of two ecovillage projects in Latin America, Huehuecoyotl Ecovillage in Mexico and La Caravana Arcoiris por la Paz, a mobile project now, ending after 12 years.
Andrew Langford, MSc and PCDip
- Gaia University Co-founder and President - www.gaiauniversity.org
- Founder of the Permaculture Association of Britain and lead designer of the Permaculture Diploma WorkNet - www.permaculture.org.uk
- Global Village Institute, Board Member - www.i4at.org
Alejandra Liora Adler. MEd.
- Gaia University Co-Founder and President - www.gaiauniversity.org
- Global Ecovillage Network International Advisory Council and UN Representative - www.ecovillage.org
- Global Village Institute Vice-President - www.i4at.org
- Bioregional Coordinating Council - www.bioregional-congress.org
Listen to Andrew & Liora on Visionary Culture Radio
More Information
To apply for and register in these programs, please visit: www.gaiauniversity.org
e-mail: info@gaiauniversity.org
Follow Gaia University on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Gaia_University
Visit Gaia University on the Transition Towns Network - http://transitionus.ning.com/group/gaiauniversity