Eco-Village Design education

A round the world, in urban and rural settings, in the North and South, you can find ecovillages.  They are usually based on shared values or spirituality (sometimes called worldview).  People come together to build a sustainable community with a common social framework.  Ecovillages are designed according to ecological principles to work with nature, not against it, and to promote a low-impact lifestyle.  Ecovillage economics are based on self-reliance and strengthening local economic connections.

Ecovillages offer one solution to the major challenges of our time - the acceleration of climate change, environmental destruction, social and community fragmentation as well as the challenges of economic globalisation.  We can learn much from the sustainable communities which already exist around the world.
 
Drawing on the wisdom of traditional communities in Asia as well as the emerging alternative paradigm in the West, this course will particularly focus on a worldview which is relevant to the Asian region and beyond.
    
Grass-roots leaders, community and social activists, sustainability educators, students and youth are invited to participate in this course.
The course is holistic and will integrate principles and practice, while exploring the four dimensions:
* Worldview - shifting paradigm; reconnecting with nature; socially engaged spirituality; creativity and art
* Social Design - how to build and strengthen community; communication skills; personal empowerment and leadership; coaching
* Ecological Design - the design of sustainable human settlements; eco-building; ecological restoration; local food
* Economic Design - globalisation/relocalisation; Right Livelihood; community economics; social enterprise

See www.gaiaeducation.org for more information.