Transitioning into the future…
Gaia U’s Transformative Action Un/Learning programs have, for the last 15 years, enabled hundreds of students and graduates to take both organizational and practical action in the wide field of ecosocial regeneration .Through our own, and the efforts of others, a wealth of ecoversities, permaculture programs, ecovillages, ecosystem restoration camps and transition towns are scattered across the globe.
Despite these positive actions, the destruction of our planetary, social and cultural systems and the lack of appropriate responses to our climate emergency, are of dire concern.
Our key questions: What strategic changes must Gaia U make to meet emergent planetary needs? How do we fill the gaps left by others also struggling with inadequate resources, shifting priorities, uncertain futures, ecosystem destruction? If the crises are so apparent, why do so many human beings deny their existence and fail to take appropriate action?
Exploring and reflecting on these questions led us to the decision to take a year long break in the offering of our usual programs.
These early responses are arising…
The first is to switch attention away from a program-start with Gaia U that involves taking courses that prioritize learning about learning and un/learning (in which ‘process’ activity is relatively mild and somewhat optional) towards trainings that focus explicitly on the critical process of shaking off oppression in order to liberate our full, flexible intelligences.
Our Designing Productive Meetings and Events training leading to an online Re-evaluation Counseling (RC) training is the practical manifestation. See details here.
Working at this liberation process early and holding to this as a primary directive throughout our programs (and beyond) has the potential to ramp up our effectiveness in learning and unlearning, in designing ecosocial futures and acting on bold, imaginative projects that bring nature-based futures into being.
The ESD (Ecosocial Design) course we have been offering would follow then from these initial courses (including the free Regenerative Livelihoods by Design course) which enable the recuperation of our natural intelligence and openness to more relevant approaches to learning and unlearning.
The second response (and, ideally, post RC training) is a focus on training and advocacy designed to enable ‘A Small Farm Future’. There is ever increasing evidence that small-scale, peasant owned and run, fossil-fuel free, agro-ecological systems offer the greatest doable opportunities for ecosystem restoration, social justice, food security, climate chaos resilience, convivial lives and more. There are no downsides to this approach (other than it challenges the mainstream addiction to private land ownership) and it is a proven, decentralized route known for millennia. Large numbers of people are already doing this and more of us can learn.
As a part of this response we are also focusing on our capacity as a consultancy in Rural Development and Regenerative Agriculture which you can read more about here.
We will be sharing more information regarding further access options as this transition phase continues.
Thirdly, we are connecting ever more deeply with allied movements and regenerative programs. We are clear that a collaborative approach is our most powerful pathway forward. Assessing overlaps and filling gaps will enable us to work more effectively as a global network. We are currently exploring closer collaborations with long-term allied organizations such as the Global Ecovillage Network, Gaia Education, Regen Network. Ecosystem Restoration Camps among others. Consolidating and enabling action relationships is a key vision to augment effectiveness.
And last but not least, we are listening–listening to you, our Gaia U community as well as those from allied networks and communities. What are your most strategic answers to the questions we have raised?
This is an ongoing conversation. Please feel free to comment below.
I believe the business model and reaching towards
ok
I love learning about this topic, and it is truly my passion.
However, we all have to create a life for ourselves in which we not just survive, but also can thrive. I am now enrolled in another online school studying fitness science. This to me is a great way still to make a positive impact on others.
I still want to complete this course. My goal is to earn my degree in environmental engineering.
An interesting aspect of the other course which I think Gaia U could benefit from, is that they have an entire section for basically setting you up with a good-paying job once you complete your certification. A major thing I have learned with non-profit work is that good-natured organizations and people tend to NOT focus so much on finance. Which can and will be a major downfall for those of us who are into eco-social design.
How can we have an eco-conscious impact on the world if we are not financially stable enough to achieve any of these goals?
This is what we all need to answer.
Since this is an emergent community, we should be able to collaborate and help each other succeed financially. What could “helping” each other look like?
– Brainstorming/bouncing ideas off each other in a forum
– Those who ARE financially abundant sharing success stories, tips, advice (although there IS a plethora of this info on YouTube, it would be nice to hear from others in THIS community)
– Connecting small business owners or those who want to start a business with mentors, investors, + sponsors
– Creating a job board where we can hire each other for skills/services and post jobs in this field in our local areas
– Holding regular discussions about financial stability
Most of society is like very individualistic when it comes to money. Since we seek to work as a community here, this is something I feel we should work together on.
To me, financial wealth is the missing link for us in this line of work. We must gain wealth if we truly wish to create real change. This will be done through education + pooling our resources so that there is capital to use in our favor.
I look forward to Gaia U running again and being able to be communicating with a cohort. I hope financial literacy can be added as part of our education here.
Hi, I do agree in most points with Bob and I want to point out that there are quite a few examples of bigger scale regenerative farming we can learn from. Perkins Richard does a very good work, also in providing information about it.
However not everyone lives in the first world, many would be happy to sustain their living with small scale farming.
So for me it needs the 100.000mile view, where first it is to identify what is needed and than al levels of intervention can be developed through learning and doing and learning.
Permaculturists design from the whole (planetary scale) to the detail always, even if the project is a local small scale project.
The principal of small steps is than to apply in the doing level (not size) regarding to always take the smallest (can be very big) step at a time. It does not refer to not do what is needed. Mollision … most eficant use of fuel is fill it in a excavator.
Agree!
There are two points of view I would like to share and get feedback on. First is observing the current scene and the correct estimation of effort to address climate change. Taking the time that is needed on average to get a small farm practicing regenerative techniques and establishing a balance, this approach does not meet the challenges needed fast enough. Applying the Permaculture Principle “slow small moves” to large scale farming towards Regenerative Farming would more closely approach the correct estimation of effort needed to meet these challenges. The second viewpoint is addressing large scale farming with one element with may functions and uses in the market place that is regenerative, profitable, scalable and can be learned as hands on business activity that provides opportunities to a wide range of interests in a community meeting their “Needs” and “Wants”. If there was such a design in place such things as social justice, fair share, and the many specialized training that is being attempted around the globe would fade away as a natural tendency within a thriving community. One focus with many benefits. Simple concept with complex details resulting in many opportunities. What if there were a solution to integrate large scale corn, soy and cotton farmers for example into a regenerative agricultural rotational cash crop that would immediately lower input costs (meaning lower to zero fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and water) and provide a yield for food, water, housing, energy and more? What if one approached this from a business/career perspective first and recruited their local team and were up and operating and making a six figure profit during their first year of operation?
Yes, I believe the business model and reaching towards 6-figures is great. There is no way to truly thrive and be able to have a positive impact without a flourishing business, in my opinion. Unless you run a really successful GoFundMe campaign!