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15 Jul 2013

London Permaculture Festival 2013: Our stall & workshop experience...

...A really fulfilling day at the London Permaculture festival yesterday, with many good conversations and connections around the stall. 

The workshop we facilitated titled Islam, Sufism & the Permaculture Approach was more popular than expected, with well over 60 people participating. 

After a short introduction, I invited the participants to introduce themselves to each other in pairs; we then had some zhikr with light percussion followed by a short period of silence; and we then explored relations between the self/individual, the community, nature, the economy, and the Divine all from an Islamic perspective. The photos is of the flipchart which captures key ideas shared by the group.


We then reflected together on the key emphasis/qualities of Sufism in relation to Islam (a BIG question!). 

We then considered how the permaculture ethics (earth care, people care and fair shares) as well as several permaculture principles and a Permaculture placement tool relate to Islam & Sufism

The participants comprised a good handful of Muslims dotted around the room amongst people of diverse beliefs. The diversity helped draw out a number of key themes that enriched the sharing. There were wonderful contributions, and much learning for all of us. 

Gratitude to all who attended, and to the organisers of the wonderful festival.

We look forward to further collaborations with at least some of the wonderful people we connected with...

10 Jul 2013

Running Great Workshops (Sept 2013, Oxford).

 From our friends at Seeds for Change...

Running Great Workshops
13th-15th September 2013
Venue: Oxford

Friday 13th (7-10pm) Saturday 14th (10-6pm) Sunday 15th (10-4pm)

Learning from each other is a building block of successful social
movements. By sharing our skills and knowledge we make our groups stronger and healthier.

This weekend course will help you develop the skills and confidence to design and facilitate engaging, participatory and fun workshops. From guerilla gardening to writing a press release, from mass catering to working in affinity groups, if you have a skill that social movements need, come to this workshop to learn how to share it. If you're a grassroots activist and you'd like to run workshops to help others learn, this is for you.

In the workshop you will get the chance to:

  * develop skills and confidence to facilitate good learning
  * understand how people learn and design a workshop plan
  * prepare and facilitate a short workshop session and receive
    constructive feedback from other participants & the workshop
    facilitators.

The workshop is free for grassroots activists. If you're coming from a funded organisation, places cost from £125 (depending on your organisation's turnover). Food will be vegan and will cost £20 for the weekend. We can provide crash space for those who need it.

Places are limited to a maximum of 16 participants. There is an application process and the deadline for applications is Thursday 15th August.

If you want to find out more or for an application form please contact oxford_AT_seedsforchange.org.uk
(replace the _AT_ with @) or call 01865 403 134.

Best wishes,

Richard & Kathryn
Seeds for Change Oxford
01865 403134
www.seedsforchange.org.uk