Meetings in Georgia, Caucasus

Facilitating Resilient Community Development in Areas of Need -
Permaculture for 2/3rds World, Indigenous and Culturally Diverse Communities
Part 1: 7-10 Sept, Part 2: 14-18 Sept 2009

Tutor: Robyn Francis - international permaculture designer & educator from Australia

& special guest tutor: Petra Schneider - IDEP Foundation Indonesia

This course develops awareness and skills for working in areas of need, and with people from other cultural backgrounds in both a first-world context and in overseas development work. The course is presented in two complementary parts. Costs will be posted asap.

Part 1 Working with Cultural Diversity
The first part deals with cultural awareness, working with people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, appropriate communications and inclusive facilitation techniques and processes. This part of the course explores issues and strategies specific to working with indigenous, multicultural, ethnic and minority communities and groups in developed nations, however the principles covered provide an essential foundation for Part 2 of the course. Part 1 provides valuable insights for those involved in working in community development programs, from community gardens and schools to transition planning, which involve liaising with people from culturally diverse backgrounds and disadvantaged groups.

PART I completes the Cert IV in Permaculture elective unit: RTD4802A Develop approaches to include cultural and human diversity

Part 2 Overseas Development Work
Part 2 builds further on the skills-set of Part 1 for those working or intending to be involved in overseas aid and development work. Key issues facing the 2/3rds world are addressed together with Permaculture strategies to facilitate solution processes. Topics include survival security (food, water, shelter), health and nutrition, environmental health, kitchen garden and local food security programs, appropriate low-tech options, and integrating permaculture with traditional production systems in humid and arid tropics.  The course also addresses facilitation processes for community directed program development, project appraisal and evaluation, disaster preparedness, post disaster relief and recovery, and ways we need to prepare ourselves for undertaking this kind of work including research, working with development agencies and NGO’s, and issues of personal security in overseas field work.

Part 1 & 2 Covers the training requirements for APT Diploma of Permaculture unit: PIL508A Plan management strategies for overseas development projects. Completion of the unit will require a research project & assignment.

Course activities will include discussion, case studies, presentations, participatory processes, role play, group projects, practical and experiential activities.

This course can be very challenging on a deep personal level, and will provide an invaluable basis for either working in the field or with support foundations and organisations.

Robyn Francis shares experience and insights from over 2 decades of working as Permaculture trainer and consultant in diverse countries and cultures including India, Indonesia, Fiji, Taiwan, Cuba, with Australian Aboriginals and NZ Maori, and as advisor/mentor to Permaculture NGO’s and activists around the world. This course was originally developed by Robyn Francis in 1991 and undergoes constant revision in keeping with global changes and their impacts on the world’s poorest and most vulnerable peoples. These courses now form part of the Accredited Permaculture Training™ Certificate IV and Diploma of Permaculture studies with Erda Institute at Djanbung Gardens Permaculture.

Petra Schneider is the founding director of IDEP Foundation in Bali - IDEP has received international recognition for its work in disaster response and developing communoty education programs and matierials for disaster preparedness. Erda Institute is honoured to have the opportunity to bring Petra to Australia to share her experience.