EARTH ACTIVIST TRAINING

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 our movement
- Solutions that exist: alternative energy; organic farming; natural building; bioremediation and restoration
- Soil and forest ecology
- 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
- Concensus process, facilitation and conflict transformation
- How to transform fear, rage, grief and frustration into creative action
- How to stay grounded and centred in challenging situations
- How to create ritual and weave magic into action...
... and more!

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

Andy Goldring is a permaculture teacher, designer, member of Leeds Permaculture Network, and co-ordinator of the Permaculture Association (Britian).

There will also be visiting guest speakers.

COSTS: (In British Pounds Including tuition, two weeks accommodation and all meals)

150 - 500 sliding scale according to income:

500 waged
300 low income
150 unwaged (this is negotiable)

We particularly welcome applications from under-represented 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
- are involved with local groups and who will make a commitment to share what they learn with their own communities and 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 'activist' is and invite people to give us their own definition as part of their application.

The closing date is 14th April 2008.

If you are interested in taking part in the course, please download an application form from: http://www.earthactivisttraining.org/

Or, email earthactivisttraining@riseup.net

Or write to: Earth Activist Training, c/o 59 Chelsea Park, Bristol, BS5 6AH.

For more info on Ragman s Lane Farm: http://www.ragmans.co.uk/