FULL : Permaculture & Transition: Quaker Testimonies

Permaculture and the Transition Movement are positive approaches that
focuses on local solutions and building community resilience.
Permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and
agricultural systems that is modeled on the relationships found in nature. It
is based on the ecology of how things interrelate rather than on the strictly
biological concerns that form the foundation of modern agriculture.
Permaculture aims to create stable, productive systems that provide for
human needs; it's a system of design where each element supports and
feeds other elements, ultimately aiming at systems that are virtually selfsustaining
and into which humans fit as an integral part.
The Transition Movement is comprised of vibrant, grassroots community
initiatives that seek to build community resilience in the face of such
challenges as peak oil, climate change and the economic crisis. Transition
Initiatives differentiate themselves from other sustainability and
"environmental" groups by seeking to mitigate these converging global
crises by engaging their communities in home-grown, citizen-led education,
action, and multi-stakeholder planning to increase local self reliance and
resilience.
Permaculture influenced the development of the Transition Movement and
they are intricately entwined. In this workshop we will provide the
background of both movements and connect the elements of both to Quaker
Testimonies and their underlying values. We’ll explore how we can use these
tools in our communities. We will also provide many examples of the
successes and experiences of people using these tools around the world.
During the week we will:
* Discuss the context for Transition Initiatives and Permaculture Design --
the current global situation that includes climate change, peak oil and
resource depletion, and economic instability;
* Understand these models -– including the 12 steps of Transition and the
Permaculture principles.
* Learn how to inspire positive action, reach diverse sectors of your
community, and unleash an exciting and inspired expansion of
transformational work in your community;
* Learn tools for supporting both the outer work of transforming your
community’s dependence on oil, coal and other fossil fuels, and the inner
and interpersonal work that is essential to resilience and collaboration.

About the leader :
Last year was the first time I participated in a workshop as a co-leader. The workshop was well received and my co-leaders and I felt very positive about the experience. In my work life, I have taught elementary, high school and college classes for a number of years. I present training and workshops on library related issues on a regular basis. Because of this I have the organizational part in hand. The best part about leading a workshop for Quakers is the richness that occurs in worship and worship sharing.