Are you…- Concerned about the environment & social justice?
- Wondering where people are working on solutions?
- Ready to help create a more sustainable future?
....then Study Abroad (and at home) in Ecovillages and Sustainable Neighborhoods!
We’re pleased to welcome to Louisville Mr. Gregg Orifici, Director of Admissions for Living Routes Study Abroad, for several meetings with students, educators and community leaders.
Mr. Orifici will join a Public Forum on
"Living and Learning for Sustainability"
from 4:30 to 6 PM Monday, September 10
at Webster University's Adena Center for Sustainability and Communications, 1031 Zorn Avenue, Suite 200, Louisville, KY 40207 (Map).
He will also meet with student and community members at the University of Louisville from 11 to 2:30 PM on September 10, and in Louisville's Clifton neighborhood on Sunday, September 9 from 5:30 to 8 PM during his visit.
For details, see the Schedule Overview. You can also download a printable poster schedule and press release Please print them out to post in your class, community center or club. Thanks!
We look forward to seeing you at these events -- Please bring a friend, and encourage students, teachers and community members you know who might be interested. You’re invited!
Living Routes features world class programs for high school, college and adult le
arners in sustainable communities in India, Scotland, Senegal, Brazil, Mexico, Massachusetts, Peru... and this week, a chance to learn more in Louisville, KY, USA.- Learning about indigenous medicinal plants and intern in renewable energy development in southern India
- Studying human ecology, helping regenerate forests, and living on a self-sufficient island in Scotland
- Getting hands-on experience in sustainable development and building fluency in French in Senegal
- Building a super adobe house, learning organic farming and learning Capoeira in tropical Brazil
- Becoming a skilled consensus facilitator & leader for social change in the volcano belt of Mexico
- Designing ecological homesteads/landscapes with expert faculty in beautiful western Massachusetts.
- Learning how Amazonian fair trade coffee co-ops protect biodiversity and provide a living wage in Peru
- Studying and working for peace and social justice between Jews, Arabs and Bedouins in Israel
- ...and In Louisville, we will be exploring how neighborhoods, educators, community businesses and organizations can participate in local / global living and learning for sustainability.
Quick Schedule Overview:
September 10, 2007:
Public Forum and Dialogue:
Living and Learning for Sustainability
Linking Louisville Neighborhoods, Global Ecovillages and Learning Communities
4:30 - 6 P.M., September 10
Webster University
Adena Center for Sustainability and Communications
Linking Louisville Neighborhoods, Global Ecovillages and Learning Communities
4:30 - 6 P.M., September 10
Webster University
Adena Center for Sustainability and Communications
* How can I study abroad and in Louisville for community and global sustainability?
* How can we develop Louisville sustainable neighborhoods and learn with global sustainable communities partners like Living Routes, the Global Ecovillage Network, The Green Building Council LEED Neighborhoods, Living Economy initiatives and others?
* With Louisville Higher Education Net leaders, neighborhoods, community groups, students and educators, sustainable businesses & others.
A light meal will be available.
This Workshop is co-sponsored by the Sustainable Business Networks.
Where: Adena Center for Sustainability & Communications at Webster University Louisville Metro Campus 1031 Zorn Avenue, Suite 200, Louisville, KY 40207
Phone: (502)896-1835
Email: Louisville@webster.edu
Directions: I-71 Exit 2, Zorn Ave. @ River Rd behind BP (Map)
From Louisville: Follow I-71 North to Exit 2, Zorn Avenue. Take a left on Zorn (north) and proceed one-half block to the BP station and turn right. Webster University is to the right in the Galen Center.From Cincinnati and I-264 East: Follow I-71 South to Exit 2, Zorn Avenue. Turn right on Zorn (north) and proceed one-half block to the BP station and turn right. Webster University is to the right in the Galen Center.
___________________________
For University of Louisville Students and Faculty:
University of Louisville
September 10
11 A.M. - 1 P.M.: Info Table/Lunch at SAC with Gregg Orifici
2nd Fl., Student Activities Center, University of Louisville. How can I study abroad for sustainability?
Sponsor: University of Louisville International Center
1 P.M. - 2:30 P.M.: Ali Institute,
Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace and Justice, University of Louisville, Ekstrom Library 2nd Floor.
Discussion of Local/Global study opportunities, including Living Routes, Ali Scholars Senegal Program, Adena Global project & others.
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Also:
Sunday, 5:30 - 8 pm, Sept. 9th:
An informal potluck and neighborhood walk.Sustainable Neighborhoods and Ecovillages in Louisville
In what ways are Clifton and other nearby Louiville neighborhoods becoming sustainable living and learning communities? How can we learn with each other and global sustainable communities networks like Living Routes, Global Ecovillage Network and others?
For More Information:
www.livingroutes.org
www.sustainablelouisville.net
To learn more about ongoing local/global online and community living and learning partner projects, visit www.sustainablelouisville.net.
Please come if you can, invite a friend or colleague, and forward this information to students and community members who might be interested.
Download the Poster and Press Release for these events.
Please print them out and post on campus, at work, clubs or your community center as appropriate.
These Green living and learning events are free and open to the public (donations welcome but not required).
Yours for a Green Community and World.
Thank you.
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Background on Living Routes:
Living Routes is the world’s premier sustainable education study abroad program. Living Routes develops community “Living and Learning for Sustainability” projects with communities and students around the world. In addition to study abroad, we will be exploring Louisville study and project opportunities during these events.
ABOUT LIVING ROUTES:
Study Abroad for a Sustainable Future:
Accredited programs in sustainable communities
Bring your education to life by studying in Ecovillages around the world.
Ecovillages are ecological communities that provide ideal campuses for students to learn about sustainable development. Learn to live in harmony with local environments as you investigate personal and community based solutions to real world issues with one of the most innovative environmental study abroad programs.
Earn college credit from University of Massachusetts Amherst on our semester, Summer and January-term study abroad programs (open also to gap year/high school students). Through academic and experiential coursework, environmental community service learning, and cultural excursions, you develop the understanding, skills and commitment to restore our
planet and prepare for careers that make a difference.
All study abroad programs accredited by UMassAmherst & credit transfers to U of L, Webster, & other colleges & universities.
...Living Routes' mission is to provide future leaders with the skills, knowledge, and wisdom needed to repair the earth after 200 years of industrialization and to build durable economies and healthy communities that can thrive into the indefinite future. We offer for-credit sustainability education programs on every continent in semester, January-term and summer
formats, and continue to develop new and innovative programs to meet an increasing demand. Over 500 college and university students have benefited from these personally and professionally transformational experiences. They have returned with deep practice-based knowledge, valuable skills, and a renewed passion and vision to make a difference in
their local communities and in the world.
At Living Routes, it is our firm belief that ecovillages are ideal contexts for developing such
educational models and methods. In addition to pioneering a myriad of social and ecological tools such as consensus decision making, ecological design, and community-scale renewable energy systems, these communities are bringing these tools together within human-scale communities in ways that are greater than the sum of their parts. What emerges in these
settings, and what people who live, visit, or study there experience, are new relationships, paradigms, and "stories" in which these specific tools have meaning -- stories about what it means to be in right relationship with each other, the world, and ourselves...
Current Programs At Living Routes - A Note from Gregg Orifici:
I am writing to let you know about an exciting study abroad program, Living Routes' Senegal semester and January term program in Sustainability Studies ( http://www.LivingRoutes.org/programs/p_ecotourism.htm )which partners with UMass-Amherst to run programs based in "ecovillages" around the world. The program is unique in several ways:
- Courses are in French (high intermediate French required) and students also learn Wolof;
- Students learn Participant Action Research and Appreciative Inquiry theory and practice;
- 1/3 of the program is based in rural villages that are part of a Senegalese Ecovillage Network;
- U.S. and Senegalese students partner on independent study and service learning projects;
I also wanted to let you know that Living Routes has just committed to being Carbon Neutral and is working with our students and ecovillage partners to reduce emissions, plant trees and invest in alternative technologies that will help communities. One such project was recently launched during our January term Senegal Ecovillage Micro Finance program (http://www.livingroutes.org/programs/p_ecoyoff.htm ), whereby we supported a start-up solar cooker initiative and purchased and helped install these tree-saving appliances in several Senegalese villages. For more information about Living Routes' carbon offsetting initiative see http://www.livingroutes.org/about/walk.htm.
I will be on campus on the 10th of September and look forward to meeting you. Below is some more detailed info on Living Routes and our full suite of programs. Please feel free to pass this information on to Listservs, faculty, and students you think might be interested in our programs.
I look forward to talking with you, and answering any questions you may have!
In community, Gregg
Gregg Orifici
Director of Admissions
Living Routes - Study Abroad in Ecovillages Worldwide
79 S. Pleasant Street, #A5, Amherst, MA 01002
(888) 515-7333 or (413) 259-0025
Current Programs:
Living Routes offers accredited study programs (January, Summer, Semester and Year Abroad) with integrated Service Learning in Ecovillages in India, Peru, Scotland, Israel, Senegal, Brazil, Mexico and the U.S. (see program descriptions and links below). All Living Routes programs contain an integrated Service Learning component. Students receive an academic transcript from UMass Amherst, and academic credit is widely transferable to colleges and universities throughout the U.S. Additionally, participants who do not need academic credit often participate on Living Routes programs for the skills and experience they provide.
Ecovillages are unique communities where the theory and practical applications of ecological sustainability and social justice meet. In Ecovillages around the world, people are creating and modeling sustainable lifestyles in harmony with their local environments - restoring ecosystems and habitat, developing participatory models of governance, growing healthful organic food, building "green" homes, working for justice and social change, empowering girls and women and youth at risk, and utilizing renewable resources such as wind and solar energy.
These communities provide ideal "campuses" to immerse yourself in academic,experiential and service learning about sustainability, and prepare for lives and careers that make a difference.
Earn 4 or 16 transferable academic credits while studying with Living Routes.
To learn what students learn and experience day-to-day on one of our programs, check out our student Blogs at http://www.livingroutes.org/weblogs/weblog.php
We accept students on a rolling admissions basis--it is never too early to apply. Applications are available at http://www.livingroutes.org/admissions.html. We also offer need-based scholarships to help make our programs more affordable.
Semester Programs
Scotland: Human Challenge of Sustainability at Findhorn
Examine the skills, creativity and understanding that are vital to community living at Findhorn -a human-scale Ecovillage on the dramatic north coast of Scotland renowned for its environmental consciousness, personal and spiritual growth, artistry, education, and global responsibility. Learn about the integration of human ecology and natural systems as you gain valuable field experience in areas including sustainable food systems, creative expression and group facilitation.
Course Topics: Worldviews and Consciousness, Theory and Practice of Group Dynamics & Conflict Facilitation, Fine Art in Community, and Applied Sustainability: Ecovillage Living
Field Study: Explore Celtic culture, spend a week on extraordinary Erraid Island with a small farming community, and help regenerate the Caledonian forest or other meaningful service learning
Supervised Internship: Become a part of community life by working in organic gardens, preparing wholesome meals, or another area of interest
Credit: Earn 16 transferable credits through University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Senegal: Sustainable Community Development
Study abroad in Senegal and engage with ecovillagers and indigenous peoples on topics of sustainable development and ecotourism. Partner with Senegalese university students and travel to West African villages to pursue service learning projects protecting natural resources, creating livelihoods, improving education and health, and celebrating cultural diversity. Live with welcoming Senegalese families as you practice your French or Wolof. Strong intermediate French is required.
Course Topics: Community-Based Ecotourism; Sustainable Development in Senegal: Theory and Practice; Community Service Learning in Developing Countries; Conversational French and West African Literature or Introductory Wolof and Senegalese Culture
Field Study: Visit pre-industrial communities and participate in traditional agriculture and food preparation. Enjoy tropical beaches. Learn to play the diembe drums, or to dance the royal Diagalde, and the Ndawrabin, ocean dance of the Lebou fishing villages. Visit Goree Island, last stop for the slave trade on the voyage to the Americas and stand in the door of no return of the Slave House Museum
Supervised Internship: Design a practicum in environmental protection, organic agriculture, micro-credit, K-12 education, nutrition, reproductive health, or other topic of interest
Credit: Earn 16 transferable credits through University of Massachusetts, Amherst
India: Sustainability in Practice at Auroville
Build ecological skills and learn about Indian and community culture at Auroville - "the city the earth needs" and one of the world's largest and most diverse Ecovillages. Study and build field experience in habitat protection, systems thinking, and ecological literacy as you design and complete an internship in sustainable development. Spend 3 weeks in Hampi, an Island ecologic preserve in the Tungabhadra River, site of 4 billion year-old exposed earth, caves and lakes. Discover the jungle ruins of Millennia-old Hindu empires and do a 40-hour sacred solo quest to reflect on learnings.
Course Topics: Applications and Practices of Sustainable Living, Global and Local Sustainability, Cooperative Processes and Learning Communities, Body, Mind, Spirit: Cultivating Personal Sustainability
Field Study: Visit cultural and ecological sites including Periyar Sanctuary and overnight at Sri Ramanamaharshi's Ashram and climb Arunchula Mountain, locally believed to be the body of Hindu God Shiva
Supervised Internship: Design a practicum in organic agriculture, renewable energy systems, reforestation, ecological literacy, women's empowerment or another topic of interest
Credit: Earn 16 transferable credits through University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Israel: Peace, Justice, and the Environment at Kibbutz Lotan (Fall only)
Explore the connections between new forms of ecological identity and stewardship, social justice and community in Israel. Work alongside Palestinian-Arab, Bedouin and Jewish Israelis who are striving for a just and lasting peace. Gain hands-on experience in ecological design, green building and sustainable agriculture and put permaculture into action in a Bedouin village.
Course Topics: Peacebuilding and Social Justice, Theory and Practice of Group Dynamics, Permaculture Design, Sustainable Technologies and Structures
Field Study: Live and work in Lotan, a green kibbutz, and Naveh Shalom Wahat al Salam, a bi-national Jewish and Palestinian Arab Israeli community. Visit Jewish, Arab and Bedouin towns, meet with government, industry and community leaders and gain a broad perspective of efforts to heal the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Float in the Dead Sea and experience Jerusalem.
Supervised Internship: Gain skills in organic farming, adobe and straw bale construction, participate in Peace Dialogues between the different populations of Israel and learn how to design sustainable human settlements.
Credit: Earn 16 transferable credits through University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Summer and January Programs
Peru: Fair Trade & Bio-cultural Regeneration in the High Amazon January term (3 weeks)
Journey to Peru's Andean-Amazon region to learn firsthand about
empowerment efforts to restore the environment and create right livelihoods for indigenous and
mestizo farmers that are also good for the earth while regenerating ancestral practices. Students
contribute to local communities through service learning with Oro Verde, a successful organic fair traded coffee producing cooperative which promotes agricultural biodiversity, environmental
responsibility, sustainability and cultural regeneration.
Course topics: Indigenous Culture and Agriculture, Shamanism, Community Building
and Cooperative Management, Fair Trade Organic Coffee Production and Distribution,
Biodiversity Regeneration and Reforestation Efforts, Spanish and Quechua (optional)
Service Learning: Help in Reforestation efforts and coffee production and return to the US with opportunities to further your internship with Dean's Beans Organic Coffee and other roasters
Field Study: Visit sites of cultural and ecological importance, such as the sacred Awashiyacu
Waterfalls and the Takiwasi center for the shamanistic treatment of addiction.
Faculty:
Frédérique Apffel-Marglin, Ph.D., Anthropology, Smith College professor, regional expert
Dean Cycon, LLM, Founder and CEO of Dean's Beans Organic Coffee Roasters, Fair Trade/social justice leader
Credit: Earn 4 transferable credits through the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Senegal: Sustainable Development at EcoYoff January term (3 weeks)
Explore the impact of global trends and micro-credit development policies on the grassroots level at EcoYoff, a 600-year old fishing village in Dakar and a leader in sustainable community development. Build basic skills in French and Wolof as you study the complex relationship between humans, development needs, and the environment. Partner with Senegalese university students and visit ancient and modern Ecovillages, from a seaside national preserve to the ancient capital of the Cayor Kingdom. You pursue research on a topic of interest as you enter into dialogue with villagers and participate in their daily activities.
Course topics: Microcredit Sustainable Development; Economy and Food Security; Populations, Health, and Nutrition; the Environment, Infrastructure and Habitat; French language (optional)
Community Project: Partner with a local Senegalese university student and make a lasting contribution to local education, infrastructure or the environment
Field Study: Visit species preservation programs for chimpanzees and migratory birds
Credit: Earn 4 transferable credits through the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Brazil: Permaculture at Ecoversidade Summer term (3 weeks)
Investigate new ways of creating sustainable human habitats at Ecoversidade - a grassroots ecological institute in tropical central Brazil. Learn permaculture principles as you examine lifestyle choices and participate in community-based activities including Capoeira, a native mix of acrobatics, sacred dance, and self-defense.
Course Topics: Sustainable Shelter, Acquaculture and appropriate architecture, Community Development, Urban Renewal Strategies, and Portuguese language (optional)
Field Study: Visit the Cerrado Forest, a World Heritage Biosphere home to rare flora and fauna, enjoy local waterfalls, option to attend Bioconstruindo, a renowned natural building course
Community Project: Create your own unique ecological design and become a Certified Permaculture Apprentice
Credit: Earn 4 transferable credits through the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Mexico Leadership for Social Change January-term (3 weeks)
Study abroad in Mexico and learn the skills needed to bring a group together around a common vision and effect positive change. Working with "usos y costumbres" (traditional ways of doing things), students design and complete a community service project that will benefit nearby communities. Located in the volcano belt of central Mexico, Huehuecoyotl was founded over 20 years ago by an international group of artists and musicians, activists and ecologists.
Course Topics: Introduction to Consensus, Basic Facilitation Skills, Participatory Democracy in the context of Mexico's Political and Social History, Spanish Language (optional)
Field Study: Visit sites dating from the Aztec empire, the Spanish conquest, the Mexican Revolution and the contemporary struggle against globalization
Community Project: Design and implement a project either in Huehue, the adjacent national forest or neighboring village
Credit: Earn 4 transferable credits through the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
USA: Permaculture at Sirius Summer term (3 weeks)
Learn how to integrate plants, animals, buildings, people, and communities in a design for ecological living at Sirius - an educational and spiritual Ecovillage in scenic western Massachusetts. Study the inter-relationships between personal, social, and ecological sustainability as you immerse yourself in the richness of one of North America's most dynamic ecological communities.
Course Topics: Reading the Landscape, Water in the Landscape, Building a Healthy Soil, The Cultivated Ecosystem: Urban Renewal Strategies, Community Support Systems
Field Study: Visit old-growth forests, community-supported agricultural projects, eco-homesteads
Community Project: Create an ecological design and become a Certified Permaculture Apprentice
Credit: Earn 4 transferable credits through the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Australia: Permaculture at Crystal Waters Summer term (3 weeks)
New program: info coming soon
www.LivingRoutes.org
www.SustainableLouisville.net
