Green Festival Seattle

This course will explore how to maintain and restore diversity through thefields of biocultural diversity, ethnobiology, culture and traditions.

Gary Martin argues that maintaining diversity in an increasingly globalised world is not only a basic human right, but an act of supreme collective intelligence. During the first week of the course, participants will explore contemporary concepts and practical issues in the fields of biocultural diversity and ethnobiology. Stephan Harding will take up these themes within the context of Gaia theory and the biosphere.

Juan Mayr Maldonadowill look at participant’s experiences of culture, tradition and biocultural diversity. He will present the case of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and explore through his sessions the concepts and practice of the indigenous story and mechanism for adaptation and re-adaptation.

Teachers

Gary Martin is Director of The Global Diversity Foundation, responsible for establishing long-term ‘observatories’ of cultural and natural diversity around the world.

Juan Mayr Maldonado was Minister for the Environment in Colombia and now works with a number of multilateral agencies to protect indigenous territorial rights and cultures.

Stephan Harding is Programme Coordinator of the MSc in Holistic Science at Schumacher College. A close associate of James Lovelock, he is an expert in the study of Gaia theory and deep ecology.