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This course is based on the Ecovillage Design Education Curriculum (EDE as endorsed by GAIA Education) plus additional practical experience to providing skills for survival in a time of peak oil, climate change and economic stress. This course will be limited to 8 -10 people to allow for personalised learning and mentoring.
The programme while covering the full EDE Curriculum also provides the much needed hands-on component that many people are looking for. By doing the actual hands-on, get-dirty work, participants really get to grips with the reality of what is outlined in the theory section. In shorter courses this is simply not possible. By the end of the programme, participants will have achieved a deep understanding of Ecovillage Design and, importantly, they will have gained hands on experience in design, as well as a wide range of practical and life skills impossible to achieve in a purely classroom setting. This need for practical skilling has become more obvious in today’s society of fast fix and instant gratification where many of these have been lost.
Theory AND Practice
In recent times we have increasingly been hearing that people are looking for internships that go beyond the theory of sustainable practice and allow them to cement their new theoretical knowledge in reality. We also get regular requests for internships in ecovillage living from people who would like to experience living at an ecovillage first hand and having some kind of formal tuition at the same time. We have therefore created this programme which we feel will meet both needs, and provide the 'muscle memory' people are looking for.
"I definitely found the hands on approach most valuable. The course was more practical than I expected and I really enjoyed this." Brendan Fearn 2008 EDE participant
Residential Intensive
- Limited to 8-10 participants to allow for individual attention.
- Participants will live in the community of Crystal Waters Permaculture Village for 6 weeks.
- 3 hours of formal tuition and about 4 hours of hands-on work, five days a week with some weekend work
- Time set aside for 'community days' where participants work alongside Crystal Waters residents on private lots. These often result in ongoing friendships with residents.
- Weekends will mostly be free time. There are lots of opportunities to get involved in community activities, or just explore the local bioregion and tourist spots.
- Good, wholesome, and locally grown food will be provided (participants will cook for themselves but the ingredients will be supplied - we will ensure that food is both good and plentiful). Participants will also experience growing, harvesting and processing some of their own food.
- Accommodation will be in comfortable, self contained cabins located within the village.
- Participants will have limited access to the internet (ADSL), fax and phone.
- Participants will have access to an extensive professional library.
- Participants will complete the full Ecovillage Design Education Curriculum (4 Keys) and actually do the physical work needed to really comprehend the logic and the realities of Ecovillage design and implementation.
- Participants will be exposed to a range of additional learning experiences and practical skilling.
Programme Outline
EDE Curriculum (subject to change to suit the group needs)
Key 1: World View
Module 1: Holistic Worldview.
A group discussion to develop an understanding of invisible patterns, the connections of science and the unknown, personal stories, experiences.
Module 2: Listening to and Reconnecting with nature.
Examples from around the world. Case studies from around the world.
Module 3: Awakening and Transformation of Consciousness
We believe that this theme should run through the full course. Meditation, quiet time, sharing’s will be regular activities. The course at Crystal Waters is held during our mild winter season which allows for particularly comfortable outdoor activities.
Module 4: Celebrating Life: Creativity and Art
Participants will be introduced to a variety of art in community as appropriate at the time: sculpture work, model making, drawing, playing musical instruments.
Module 5: Socially Engaged Spirituality.
As part of this course, we will be spending some time in a rainforest and in reforestation areas. We will draw on examples from the region: Sulak, Sarvodaya, Vandana, Ghandi.
Key 2: Social
Module 1: Building Community and Embracing Diversity
In this module we will be looking at a number of examples of successful ecovillage buildings including the process applied at Crystal Waters.
Also : A checklist to assess the land’s ability to support people; Community Glue; The impact/influence of group size to group dynamics
Module 2: Communication Skills: Conflict, Facilitation and Decision Making.
Governance and Ecovillages - From GT to MO
The Pro’s and Con’s of Consensus
Facilitating Meetings Successfully
Design = 80% Communication
Ways to deal with conflict
Working together - making group decisions
Module 3: Personal Empowerment and Leadership
This module is a continuation of Module 2 but is looking at our role as an individual as part of a group.
Making I statements.
Recognising strengths and weaknesses
Empowerment - the combination of authority and responsibility
Facilitation at work - Respecting a line of command
Module 4: Health and Healing
What is health?
Health - food - soil
Healing traditions in Australia and around the world - The Quacks and the Cures
Alternative health care
Do I have to become a vegan?
Appropriate diet
Module 5: Local, Bio Regional and Global Outreach Don’t build a village on the bones of the Elders
What is a bio-region?
Maleny, Cooperatives and the 21st Century
Designing for change - No straw hats for sale!
Working with authority, including neighbours
Celebrating the new and old - case studies to become one
GEN - international outreach
Key 3: Economic
Module 1: Shifting the Global Economy to Sustainability
From Communism to Capitalism
What is Globalisation - What are the consequences?
Is it broken? Can we fix it?
Ecological footprint explained
Module 2: Right Livelihood
Voluntary simplicity explained
Meaningful activities or paid work?
Right livelihood - It can work! Case studies
Fair Trade
Module 3: Social Enterprises
Which businesses are likely to succeed in Ecovillages?
Which business first?
Owner operated, worker owned and social enterprises
Module 4: Community Banks and Currencies
LETS, Green Dollars - How does it work
Credit Unions and Community Banks, Micro Credits
Beyond LETS
Module 5: Legal and Financial Issues
How to finance an Ecovillage (and how not to)
Case studies from around the world
Reducing risk - Working towards profit
Legal models which work
Tender processes - tender assessment
Key 4: Ecological
Module 1: Green Building and Retrofitting
Design for climate, comfort, budget and health
What is "adequate" housing?
Healthy Buildings
Module 2: Local Food
The politics of food
42 square metres and independence
An introduction to soil, diet and health
From gardens to orchard to animal husbandry
Module 3: Appropriate Technology
Appropriate technology:
Energy - beyond peak oil
Water for life
From waste to NEW
Module 4: Restoring Nature and Rebuilding After Disaster
Fundamentals of ecology - Natural Systems
What has gone wrong and tools to fix it: From salination to soil erosion
People first - compromise and success after disaster
Module 5: Integrated Ecovillage Design Project
Design approach and methodology
Observation and research
Design consideration
Infrastructure: Design goals and aims
This module involves the design of a site as an Ecovillage or retrofit of existing village or Co-housing project. It will bring together many of the skills learned in previous modules. Close supervision and opportunities to 'take risks' are to be balanced.
Expected Learning Outcomes to the EDE Curriculum (subject to needs/availability and weather conditions)
Ø Community Immersion – Participation and organising community activities
Ø Conflict avoidance and resolution
Ø Daily spiritual activity, working meditation
Ø Developing of secret/sacred site
Ø Participation in Cooperative meetings, learning/understanding of Cooperatives, decision making processes
Ø Participation in Body Corporate meetings, learning/understanding of Body Corporate
Ø Preparation of a festivity, ritual for the community
Ø Establishment and day to day management of gardens
Ø Water – dams, swales, domestic, irrigation. Working in a low water economy
Ø Management of orchards and forestry (harvesting, planting, fertilizing, pruning)
Ø Management of animals (cattle, bees, poultry) in a PC system
Ø Introduction to construction techniques and maintenance.
Ø Development of a local business (including business plan)
Ø Use and maintenance of tools (including small motors)
Ø Design and construction of dams
Ø Fencing
Ø Food processing (yoghurt making, bread, beer, cordial, tea, medicines, candles, freezing, cosmetics, vinegar, mead) and more, to fill the needs of participants…
"I will go back to Macau, dedicate myself to our new non-profit, and in February go to East Timor to implement the community centre for sustainable development of Baucau area." Hugo Oliveira 2008 EDE participant
Course Structure
Whilst this is an intensive course, it is structured so as to offer a balance between formal class sessions and seminars, experiential hands-on sessions, informal discussion time, community-building work, free time, and a realistic team-based design project. This course provides a unique opportunity to live “as a resident” within Crystal Waters, whilst learning many valuable practical and life skills from people who have unparalleled experience-based expertise in sustainable design and project implementation.
Course Leaders
Max O. Lindegger is a dynamic and much sought after teacher and consultant. Max has worked all over the world, and is experienced in many different cultures and climates. Born in a Swiss farming village, Max emigrated to Australia in 1969. Invited to attend the first course in Permaculture offered by Bill Mollison in 1979, he subsequently taught alongside him. Since 1981 he has been self-employed as a consultant and teacher in ecologically sustainable design. He has taught in a number of prestigious institutions (including Stellenbosch University and Schumacher College) in 24 countries and made presentations at conferences in many more. He has designed, co-designed, and developed a number of ecological communities, including the World Habitat Award winning Crystal Waters. He was asked to create the Oceania/Asia Secretariat of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) in 1994. His achievements can be seen in the ecovillages he has created, awards he has received (Diploma of Permaculture Design (First Issue), The Permaculture Community Service Award (First Issue), ABC Greening Australia Tree Care Award, Prime Minister's Centenary Medal and the Sunshine Coast Environment Council Award for Sustainable Agriculture (2004) and the accolades heaped upon him by clients and students, many of whom have been inspired to go on to create livelihoods in sustainable design. He has lived in Crystal Waters for more than 15 years, and runs a small ecological farm whilst still maintaining a full schedule of consultancy and teaching work.
Max is Founder and Co-Director of Eco-Logical Solutions pty ltd, Advisor to EarthWorks Institute (USA), Fellow of Findhorn, Co-Founder of the international Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) and founder of the Global Ecovillage Network (Oceania/Asia) Inc.
Other teachers, from Crystal Waters and further afield, will be involved in the programme, according to their areas of expertise. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience in this community and participants will be able to access much during 'community days' and social times as well as in formal learning situations.
Testimonials
“I liked the practical nature of the course; the amount of hands-on work which I think balanced the technical component. I liked especially that the course was held in an ecovillage. I also appreciated the candidness of everyone I spoke to. Of course, learning with Max is priceless.”
“I really enjoyed learning from Max, whose diverse experiences and holistic approach was inspiring throughout. I also enjoyed living in an ecovillage and learning from others who live here.”
"I found most valuable the hands on work, not only in the garden and with animals, but especially out on the land we are designing - learning to visualize what is possible."
"I really enjoyed living in such a beautiful natural environment with so much wildlife literally on your doorstep!" "It's with joy that I remember the times spent in Crystal Waters, and it's under my skin what we've learnt during those 4 months"
Course Cost (includes GST)
The fee AUD $5000 ($4500 if paid in full by 28.02.2010) will include all food, accommodation, course tours, tuition and extensive course notes.
This includes...
· Professional and experienced teachers
· Extensive printed course notes and all course materials
· Fresh, plentiful food
· Access to extensive library of books, videos and journals
· Extensive in-depth tours of Crystal Waters Permaculture Village - including visits to private properties not usually open to the public, and off-site field trips
· Practical field work
· Hands-on design experience - guided by people who not only have created and implemented designs, but also have lived or are living in ecovillages
· The opportunity to stay in an award-winning and world renowned ecovillage
· Access to games facilities at the EcoCentre (table tennis, DVD/Video facility)
Participants need to ensure that they have sufficient insurance cover.
INTERESTED? Please either ring or email Max so that you can discuss the finer points of this residential course.
HOW TO REGISTER: An AUD $500 deposit will be required to secure your place. Please contact us at the address below for full details of enrolment procedure. Register and pay the course cost in full by 28th February2010 and receive the early bird discount of $500! Please register early to avoid disappointment!
*Please note that all prices are quoted in Australian Dollars and that all payments need to be made in AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS.
Deposit Policy *
While the deposit is not refundable, you can transfer it to another course offered by EcoLogical Solutions, except the EcoLogical Solutions University Programmes. In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled by us, your full deposit will be returned.
Further Information and Registration
For more information, please contact Max O Lindegger at EcoLogical Solutions:
EcoLogical Solutions, 59 Crystal Waters, 65 Kilcoy Lane, Conondale QLD 4552, Australia.
Email: max@ecologicalsolutions.com.au Tel: +61 7 5494 4741 Fax: +61 7 5494 4578
ABN 48 003 023 667. | 
