Earth activist training - for activsts

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MH
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Feb 21 2006 21:18
Earth activist training - for activsts

As opposed to, say, non-activists, or armchair-activist-internet-users! Thought I'd lob this in to this forum cos the organisers would like a wide variety of participants who will take away what they learn to organise similar events/actions etc. I'll check back once in a while to smile at the comments.

EARTH ACTIVIST TRAINING

15th - 29th July 2006

Ragmans Lane, Gloucestershire

with Starhawk & Penny Livingston- Stark

A permaculture design course and more for activists: Learn the skills to transform a piece of land, a community and our political and economic systems.

Permaculture is a system of ecological design. Spend two weeks in rural Gloucestershire learning:

Nature and wilderness awareness.

Diversity in ecosystems and in our movement.

Solutions that exist: alternative energy, organic farming, natural building, bioremediation and restoration.

Soil and forest ecology and ecological economics.

How to collect, conserve, and clean water.

Ecological base camp design for action camps

Movement building, strategy and direct action principles and practices.

Consensus process, facilitation and conflict transformation.

How to transform fear, rage, grief and frustration into creative action.

How to stay grounded and centred in tough and challenging situations.

How to create ritual and weave magic into action…… and more!

We will also be thinking and planning for the Climate change Camp later in the summer of 2006.

On completion, participants will receive a permaculture certificate.

Core facilitators:

Starhawk is a lifelong activist, direct action trainer, ecofeminist and author of many books that link earth-based spirituality with political struggle. http://www.starhawk.org

Penny Livingston-Stark is internationally recognized as a prominent permaculture teacher, designer and speaker. She is the founder of The Permaculture Institute of Northern California and has been working professionally in the land management and development field for 25 years. http://www.regenerativedesign.org

There will also be visiting guest speakers.

Cost (including tuition, two weeks accommodation and all meals):

£100 - £500 sliding scale according to income:

£500 waged

£300 low income

£100 unwaged (This is negotiable).

We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups within the activist community.

Accommodation will be either camping or small dorms/bunk rooms.

The food will be vegetarian and organic as far as possible.

Selection criteria: As there are only limited places available on this course, it is necessary to have a selection criteria rather than accept people on a first come first served basis. Priority will be given to people who are:

- involved primarily in the activist* community/movement

- have some experience of being involved in activism.

- involved with local groups and who will make a commitment to share what they learn with their own communities and affinity groups

- are active in the UK, although we are open to applications from people in Europe.

* we do not have a restrictive definition of what an "activist" is and invite people to give us their own definition as part of their application.

The closing date for applications is 31st May 2006.

If you are interested in taking part in this course, please contact the organising collective for an application form, at: eat2006@riseup.net

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Jacques Roux
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Feb 21 2006 21:26

eek

MH - no, please say its all a joke!

Quote:
"Welcome! I'm Starhawk, author of many works celebrating the Goddess movement and Earth-based, feminist spirituality. I’m a peace, environmental, and global justice activist and trainer, a permaculture designer and teacher, a Pagan and Witch. To see how it all weaves together, follow the many strands of my web:"

I dont even know where to begin.

Anyone got a bucket? I think im gunna throwup!

dara
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Feb 21 2006 21:37
Quote:
"Welcome! I'm Starhawk, author of many works celebrating the Goddess movement and Earth-based, feminist spirituality. I’m a peace, environmental, and global justice activist and trainer, a permaculture designer and teacher, a Pagan and Witch. To see how it all weaves together, follow the many strands of my web:"

nothing i can say will make this funnier.

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888
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Feb 21 2006 21:56

What, you've never heard of Starhawk? I was tempted to go to one of her prayer dance rings for a laugh, but I was too scared I might be forced to join in.

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Steven.
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Feb 21 2006 22:49
888 wrote:
What, you've never heard of Starhawk? I was tempted to go to one of her prayer dance rings for a laugh, but I was too scared I might be forced to join in.

Ha ha I went to one of her "direct action" trainings before Genoa. We were told to all fucking hold hands and sit down together and stuff.

Funnily enough she didn't cover what to do if 20 actual fascist riot cops grab you, drag you away from your comrades, tear your padding off, and beat the living fucking shit out of you.

Edit oh shit!

Just seen this - this is unbelievable:

Quote:
Cost (including tuition, two weeks accommodation and all meals):

£100 - £500 sliding scale according to income:

£500 waged

£300 low income

£100 unwaged (This is negotiable).

HAHAHAHAHAAHAHA! grin

The Porkadian
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Feb 21 2006 22:57

I assume no one is planning to take up this offer of a lifetime then

Mike Harman
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Feb 21 2006 23:25

don't think so mate:

http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=20060217113549890

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revol68
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Feb 22 2006 00:32

Glad to see we are all forgetting the small things that divide us in favour of laughing at the shite that unites us.... in hate. grin

Seriously is this Wayne fucking about on Infoshop or what?

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jef costello
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Feb 22 2006 00:59

I'm supposed to be asleep.

Quote:
Independent study credits have been given to regularly enrolled students who participated in the EAT program. If you're a college student, check with your degree counselor.

And those fascists make me write essays!

Anyone with time to watch, listen and learn try this smile

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JDMF
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Feb 22 2006 08:02

what exactly is wrong with this event? Surely it is a great initiative, not exactly in tune with what we advocate on this board, but we should still give it some support and solidarity?

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JDMF
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Feb 22 2006 08:03

.

I'm sure some of you fell for that didn't you wink

Nick Durie
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Feb 22 2006 10:51

What's MH doing posting it here tho?

"As opposed to, say, non-activists, or armchair-activist-internet-users!"

Highly puritanical.

I've met Starhawk lots of times in a variety of settings, she's alright on a personal level, but she's very definitely into different stuff from the kind of thing that we're about.

The phraseology for this is so imprecise - 'activists' for example are also to be found in the Conservative party, the BNP, Labour or whatever.

lucy82
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Feb 27 2006 19:03
Quote:
Funnily enough she didn't cover what to do if 20 actual fascist riot cops grab you, drag you away from your comrades, tear your padding off, and beat the living fucking shit out of you.

the spiral dance, stupid roll eyes

the spirit of the earth will lull them....

MH
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Mar 12 2006 17:42

Thanks folks, I just knew your replies would make it worthwhile posting the course details up!

It went up on this forum because its for 'organise' and includes 'environment'. As stated the organisers want attendees from a mix of activist backgrounds (except armchairs) - even from you dear old libcom concrete jungle warriors.

If you are able to get past the Starhawk reference, you'll actually note the basic course is for permaculture design, covering such matters as sustainablility, land, ecology, food etc, issues which are increasingly coming to dominate the public consciousness. They will even effect you lot too.

Sneer if you wish, but you need to think outside your boxes and appreciate that these issues are important to many people. Here in the west country and indeed other parts of GB, such matters are increasingly embraced by growing numbers of people. The wider movement, of which I and you are a part, also addresses these issues - see for instance the eco-village at last years G8 protest, or this years 'climate camp', and indeed the many 'alternative' summer festivals that happen. Locally, for instance in the working class area of Bristol I live in, many ordinary working class people have allotments and knowingly or unknowingly embrace the ideas inherent within permaculture. Some attend local classes run by the local permaculture group, its just not a big new thing around here, maybe London remains different.

We as a movement must be open to new ideas and solutions to the mess we find ourselves in. We need to interact with a much broader range of people than just our hardcore politico buddies, to discuss and challenge ideas. So yes - come along and ask Starhawk how would she deal with 20 riot cops, and be ready and able to argue for your different opinion to hers, in front of an audience of 24 other equally well opinionated people.

Finally, as to the cost...well for 14 days intensive tuition, plus meals, the cost is similar to most permaculture design courses, and this gets the magic stuff thrown in as xtra too! Compare it to say the cost of just getting in to one of the major 4 day summer festivals (ie Glastonbury - 120 quid), or the 90 minutes you pay for at a footie match, and it really isn't expensive. But if it isn't your bag then fine, dont apply to go. But when someday in the future your local social centre sets up it's own permaculture garden to provide various basics for the centre, remember that the people setting it up learnt those skills somewhere - possibly at one of these courses, or from someone who attended and then took the skills learnt back into their activist community.

cheers

mh

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Jacques Roux
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Mar 12 2006 17:57

I dont see why anyone would have problems with learning about permaculture - IMO they are usefull skills in certain situations. Its all that crap which comes with it thats the problem!

You mention other permaculture design courses - maybe these are a better idea!

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JDMF
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Mar 12 2006 18:00
MH wrote:
If you are able to get past the Starhawk reference, you'll actually note the basic course is for permaculture design, covering such matters as sustainablility, land, ecology, food etc, issues which are increasingly coming to dominate the public consciousness. They will even effect you lot too.

of course they do! More the reason to get agitated that these important issues are clouded by hippies, wiccas, ecomagik and mysticism.

Quote:

We as a movement must be open to new ideas and solutions to the mess we find ourselves in. We need to interact with a much broader range of people than just our hardcore politico buddies, to discuss and challenge ideas.

indeed, which is why the druids should be kicked out of these events. But sadly, thats not going to happen which is why these events will most likely fail miserably in your aim to "interact with a much broader range of people"

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jef costello
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Mar 12 2006 18:08
MH wrote:
Finally, as to the cost...well for 14 days intensive tuition, plus meals, the cost is similar to most permaculture design courses, and this gets the magic stuff thrown in as xtra too!

How many other such courses are there?

I do like to see you competing on the open market though grin

MH
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Mar 12 2006 18:14

Fair point rkn - more permaculture info/courses here http://www.permaculture.org.uk/

Quote:
indeed, which is why the druids should be kicked out of these events. But sadly, thats not going to happen which is why these events will most likely fail miserably in your aim to "interact with a much broader range of people"

Actually JDMF they tend to be well oversubscribed. Must be something to do with people being interested in them. I presume the SF has kicked out all its druids, mystics & mischief-makers, hows the membership figures looking?

wink

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JDMF
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Mar 12 2006 19:11
MH wrote:
Actually JDMF they tend to be well oversubscribed. Must be something to do with people being interested in them. I presume the SF has kicked out all its druids, mystics & mischief-makers, hows the membership figures looking?

:wink:

yeah, we have been planning to set up Druids and Wiccas Industrial Network (DWIN) but have trouble attracting members. perhaps we have to use some magik at our next conference grin

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JDMF
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Mar 12 2006 19:14

Just to add MH, i am not just sniping, or criticising "outside", i have been involved in projects with http://www.veganorganic.net/ folks - the methods and knowledge they pass on work just fine without esoteric and mystic elements using good old fashioned scientific knowledge.

Kidda
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Mar 12 2006 20:05

500 quid to learn how to plant a bit of veg

jesus wept

MH
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Mar 12 2006 20:27

Yeah Kidda, Jesus would weep, cos we'd charge him a darn site more than 500 quid. We need 4 wealthy, middle-class types to cough up the 500 quid so to enable a load of less wealthy types to come along for 100 quid. If you read the course outline/know more about permaculture, you'd know its more than just planting veg.

JDMF - apols for the swipe at the SF, note you didn't answer the Q though? Before I left the London concrete jungle I had absolutely no time for all this mystic stuff, I dismissed it out of hand. But the fact is a lot of people are interested in it, and there are aspects of it that are interesting, and possibly worthwhile. And I have met some very sorted types who indulge in it a bit, so for now I am prepared to tolerate it and find out more. We all tend to be far too quick to dimiss out of hand ideas and beliefs that are unfamiliar to us or appear alien.

Thora
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Mar 12 2006 20:36
Kidda wrote:
500 quid to learn how to plant a bit of veg

jesus wept

Come now Kidda, don't be so cynical. I'm sure there'll be the opportunity to learn how to heal the earth with positive vibrations from your vagina too violet black star star green black

Barry Kade
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Mar 13 2006 03:26

Funnily enough, last time I bothered to read her stuff back in 2001, some of the best tactical writings after Genoa and then 9/11 seemed to come from Starhawk. I found this suprising and a little distubing, - as I would have thought being an eco-feminist Witch would make one talk utter bollox in such situations. Odd, I know, but true. Funny old world, innit?

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JDMF
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Mar 13 2006 07:59

Barry, everyone might sometimes get it right, no matter how looney and off the wall they are.

MH wrote:
Yeah Kidda, Jesus would weep, cos we'd charge him a darn site more than 500 quid. We need 4 wealthy, middle-class types to cough up the 500 quid so to enable a load of less wealthy types to come along for 100 quid. If you read the course outline/know more about permaculture, you'd know its more than just planting veg.

JDMF - apols for the swipe at the SF, note you didn't answer the Q though? Before I left the London concrete jungle I had absolutely no time for all this mystic stuff, I dismissed it out of hand. But the fact is a lot of people are interested in it, and there are aspects of it that are interesting, and possibly worthwhile. And I have met some very sorted types who indulge in it a bit, so for now I am prepared to tolerate it and find out more. We all tend to be far too quick to dimiss out of hand ideas and beliefs that are unfamiliar to us or appear alien.

why would you charge jesus more than these other religious freaks?

"a lot of people" are interested in islam, christianity, buddhism and what not, but dont see them infecting the eco movement much. Seems like there is some kind of special treatment for druids and wiccas...

Anyways, i think we have said what needs to be said, and we can agree to disagree. For everyones sake though i hope many of these important themes break away asap from the occultist, mystic, esoteric, religious bullshit which is holding it back.

Good luck with your event, i'm sure you will fill it up, there are enough people out there into all kinds of eco mysticism.

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jef costello
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Mar 13 2006 08:52
MH wrote:
We need 4 wealthy, middle-class types to cough up the 500 quid so to enable a load of less wealthy types to come along for 100 quid.

You won't find anyone like that here on libcom.

MH wrote:
We all tend to be far too quick to dimiss out of hand ideas and beliefs that are unfamiliar to us or appear alien

Only when they're made up.

Kidda
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Mar 27 2006 01:28
Thora wrote:
Kidda wrote:
500 quid to learn how to plant a bit of veg

jesus wept

Come now Kidda, don't be so cynical. I'm sure there'll be the opportunity to learn how to heal the earth with positive vibrations from your vagina too violet black star star green black

when i moved to manchester i was assured Canal Street was the way to use that method

its been more scary than 'healing'

Kidda
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Mar 27 2006 01:31
MH wrote:
Yeah Kidda, Jesus would weep, cos we'd charge him a darn site more than 500 quid. We need 4 wealthy, middle-class types to cough up the 500 quid so to enable a load of less wealthy types to come along for 100 quid. If you read the course outline/know more about permaculture, you'd know its more than just planting veg.

JDMF - apols for the swipe at the SF, note you didn't answer the Q though? Before I left the London concrete jungle I had absolutely no time for all this mystic stuff, I dismissed it out of hand. But the fact is a lot of people are interested in it, and there are aspects of it that are interesting, and possibly worthwhile. And I have met some very sorted types who indulge in it a bit, so for now I am prepared to tolerate it and find out more. We all tend to be far too quick to dimiss out of hand ideas and beliefs that are unfamiliar to us or appear alien.

jesus wasnt wealthy he had to feed five thousand people with a couple Hovis and some manky fish.

and i know a bit more about permaculture than i made out/you assumed, the difference being all the permaculture stuff ive been involved in has involved people sharing info for free and helping each other

no need for a 100 quid door tax, just some donations and lots of helping hands.

but horses for courses aye.