escola kumar-activities for 2017-2018 “soil, soul, and...

EscolaKumar-Activitiesfor2017-2018

“Soil,Soul,andSociety”PermacultureinCommunity,Education,andOurLives

Aholisticapproachtoeducationtoinspireamoreconnectedandresilientlife

2016-2017ProgramSummaryEscolaKumarisaninnovativeholisticeducationprojectandlivingdemonstrationcenterinspiredbytheworkandlifeofSatishKumar,educator,writer,andwiseactivistof“Soil,SoulandSociety.”ItissupportedbythefoundationEducationPorLaVida,privatedonations,andvolunteers.WithresourcesofferedandexperiencegainedthroughactivitiesatEscolaKumar,participantscanincorporateholistic,sustainableandregenerativelivingskillsintheireducationalcenters,professions,communitiesandpersonallives.OverthepastyearEscolaKumar,incollaborationwithPermaculturaMediterránea(PermaMed),havemadegreatstridesinimplementingandexpandingawidevarietyofjointprojects.Catalysedbygrowingsupportfromgenerousdonationsandanetworkoflocalandinternationalcollaborators,therootsoftheoverallprogramhavedugdeeperandhaveresultedinsuccessfulprojectsthatarebeginningtobearbountifulfruit.EscolaKumarhasreceivedover1000visitorsandin2018planstoexpandtheireffortsevenfurtherofferinghope,skills,andinspirationtoeducators,youths,andthelocalandinternationalcommunitythroughtrainings,events,freeonlineresources,andlivingdemonstrationsites.

Inthis2017fallupdatereportweshareasummaryofrecentdevelopments,projectsandaccomplishmentsoverthelastyearandofferavisionfor2018.Whilewehaveclassifiedtheprojectsintooverallcategories,theprogramsandprojectswithinEscolaKumarandPermaMedarebynatureinterconnectedandinterwoveninthefabricofaholisticdesign.Projectsdiscussedinthisreportinclude:

• Holisticeducationasanagentforchange-expandingprogramsineducationcentres• YouthinPermaculture(YiP)-empoweringyouthwithresources,skills,and

inspiration.Alocalpathwayprogramandaninternationalyouthinitiative• Providingteachertrainingwithinternationalrenownedteachers• Intergenerationalbridgesofempowerment–mentorsandyouthincollaboration• Providingin-depthcommunityandmulti-levelprojectdrivencertificationtrainings• Lowfootprintparticipatorydemonstrationstrategiesthatyoucanimplementtoo• Supportingandcollaboratingwithotherislandandinternationalgroups(NextGEN)• IncorporatingUnitedNationsSustainabilityDevelopmentGoalsintoourprograms• Creatingpractical,engagingandaccessibleeducationalmaterials

Nextstepsin2018forEscolaKumarandcollaboratorPermaMed:

• Expandingtheyouthadvocacyandtrainingprograms.InDecember2017wewillbring56youthsfrom8countriestonorthernItalyforaworkshopondevelopingsustainablelivingpathwaysthroughpermaculture,greenentrepreneurship,communityandsociocracytraining.In2018thereareseveralmoreinternationalyouthexchangesplanedwithEuropeanpartnersandGaiaEducation.LocallyinMallorca,youthsreceiveweeklytraininginsustainabilitydesignreceivinghands-onprofessionaltrainingwithmentorstodevelopportfoliosfortheirwork.Theyalsohelpimplementgardensinlocalschools,andassistwithtrainworkshops.

• ImprovetheEscolaKumareducationaldemonstrationsitethroughparticipatory

workshopsthatcreateexemplaryinfrastructurethatlowersourecologicalandcarbonfootprint.Thisisaccomplishedthroughsolarenergyinstallationsandwaterreductionandreusesystemsthatcaneasilybereplicatedinsuburbanhomes,aswellaseducationalandcommunitycentres.

• Implementamultipliereffectbyprovidingaccessiblepermacultureresourcesfor

educators,youths,communitygroups,andpeoplewhowanttoolstohelpthembepartofthechangetowardsabettermoresustainableworld.Developanddistributeonlinevideo,digitalebooks,educationalandinstructionalmaterialsandresources.

• Supporteducatorstoimplementholisticsustainabilityandpermacultureeducation

intoschoolcurriculumsanddevelopon-siteinteractivedemonstrationsitesatschools,suchasgardens,solarcookers,recycleworkshops,participatoryartandmore.

• CollaboratewithinternationalorganizationssuchasYouthinPermaculture,Gaia

Education,NextGENandotherstobuildsupportforholisticeducationandyouthexchange,andprofessionalopportunitiesforyouthsbothlocallyandworldwide.

• DevelopingaTransitionTownsandpermacultureresourcehubforMallorca.

• Encouragingapositiveparticipatoryoutcomeforthisbeautifulworldthrough

example,events,celebrations,workshops,outreachandcertificationcourses.

Holisticeducationasanagentforchange-puttingtheideaintopractice:Inthesedynamicandchallengingtimesthereisagrowingappreciationofthevalueofcultivatingsystemicdesignandproblemsolvingskillswithintheeducationcommunity.However,manyofoureducationcentersareoverwhelmedbyantiquatedandbureaucraticdemands.Evenwheninspiredtoofferholisticeducation,teachersoftendonothavetheresourcesortimetoimplementideaswithinthedemandsoftherequiredcurriculum.EscolaKumarincollaborationwithPermaMedandArtifexBalearhasbeenofferingresourcesandguidancetoteachersandstudentsbothwithinandoutsideoftheclassroom.Ourfocushasbeeninprovidingpermaculturetoolsinsecondaryschoolstointroduceanunderstandingofsystemicdesignandinterdisciplinaryexperientiallearningthatareempoweringandinspiring,especiallywhenappliedtoreallifesituationsandpracticalprojects.Herewesharesomeofourprogramsandprojectsfrom2016and2017

IntegratingEco-literacyintoPracticeaspartofEducationalCentersIESJaime1:IntergenerationalurbangardensinapublicschoolintheheartofPalmaManyofourin-schoolprojectsandeventshavecomeasinvitationsfromeducatorswhohavebeeninspiredbyteachertrainingprogramstheyhaveparticipatedinatEscolaKumar.AnexampleofthisoccurredearlierthissummerwhenwewereinvitedbyanEscolaKumarpermaculturecertificationgraduatetoorganizeanintergenerationalhands-onurbangardeningeventforavarietyoflocalcommunitygroups.TheeventwasheldonthecementplaygroundsofapublichighschoolintheheartofPalma.Trulyintegratingacrossthecommunity,overonehundredeventparticipantsincludedmembersfromthelocalretirementhome,achildren’ssummerschoolprogram,juvenilesfromahalfwayhouseinthecommunity,alocalafterschoolyouthgroup,aprogramthatintegratespeoplewithhandicapsintotheircommunity,andseveralothercommunitygroups.WeusedthisopportunitytobringinteachertrainerswhohadjustfinishedanindepthcertificationcourseatEscolaKumartodesignandfacilitatetheworkshop,thusgivingthemavaluableexperienceinteachingandcreatingprogrammaterialforworkshops.Afterawidewelcomingcircle,participantscouldrotatethroughaseriesofminihands-onworkshopsonurbangardening,bioconstruction,andsocialpermaculture.Theworkshopdynamicsencouragedintergenerationalandacross-groupintegrationanditwasrewardingtoseebothyoungandoldandthediversemembersenjoyinglearningandsharingtogether.Permaculturerecognizestheimportanceofsustainablecommunitydevelopmentthroughbuildingtrustingrelationshipsandthisprojectprovidedanopportunitytoencouragethatprocess.Thecommunityorganizersandparticipantswereallverypleasedwiththerewardingeventandwehavebeeninvitedbacktoworkwithcommunityparent,teacher,andyouthgroupsinthefallof2017.

PublichighschoolPauCasesnovas,Inca.Involvingstudents,teachers,andparentsindesigningandimplementingholisticdesignaspartoftheeducationalenvironment.TeachersfromthishighschoolattendedworkshopsandguidedtoursofthedemonstrationsitesatEscolaKumartogatherideasandinspirationtoimplementthemintotheirschoolprogramprogramsandgrounds.Theywereinspiredtoincorporateseveralexamplessuchasanherbalspiral,thepalletgarden,andagreywatersystemwithapond,completewithabiofilterusingnativeplants,fishandfrogsintotheirschoolgrounds.Weworkeddirectlyincollaborationwiththeseteachersandstudentstohelpthembuildandimplementtheseprojects.ThewholeprocesswasrecordedbylocaltelevisionstationIB3,andhasbeensharedinalengthyshowthatairedinJuneontheIB3ScienceEducationProgram.Thisexposurethroughlocaltelevisionwillhopefullyreachandinspireevenmoreeducatorsandfamiliestoincorporatepermacultureandholisticdesignintotheireducation,working,andlivingspaces.EscolaKumarandPermaMedarecommittedtocontinuetheirworkwiththisandotheragrowingnumberofenthusiasticschoolteachers,students,andparticipantsin2018.

IESMadinaMayurqa-multipleworkshopsinacityschoolandatapermaculturedemonstrationsiteSeveralteachersandprogramcoordinatorsfromtheIESMadinaMayurqahighschoolparticipatedinteachertrainingsatEscolaKumarlastyear.Inspiredandmotivatedtoputintopracticewhattheyhadlearned,theyinvitedustohelpprovideinschoolworkshopsforstudentsandteachers.Over300studentsparticipatedovertwodays.Sixdynamicworkshopswereconductedincluding:usingrecycledpalletstocreategardencontainers,plantingouturbangardensamongstthecementontheschoolgroundsandplayspaces,creating,decoratingandtakinghomenative“Christmastree”saplingswhichwerereplantedatademonstrationsiteafterChristmas,makingsproutjarsandlearningaboutgrowingyourownfoodandthevalueofbuyinglocalecologicalandfreshproduce,andplayingdynamiccurrencygamestobetterunderstandthevalueofsupportingjustandecologicallybasedeconomy.

Inspiredbythestudent’senthusiasmtheyinvitedustocollaborateinbringingthestudentsoutofthecitytooneofthePermaMedpermaculturedemonstrationsitestoparticipateinhands-onworkshops.Herethestudentsplantedthetreestheyhadcaredforoverthewinterholidayinafoodforest,createdseveraltypesofgardens,andlearnedhowtomakecompostandbiochartoimprovetheirsoils.Theytouredthesiteandlearnedaboutholisticpermaculturedesign,ethicsandprincipalsinaction.Theyalsocreatedworksofarttobeplacedinthedemonstrationsitethatwereinspiredbynature.Itwasafineandinspiringdaywithover300enthusiasticparticipantsandthestorywascoveredinthelocalnewspaperwithnumerousphotographs.Insummary,EscolaKumarisputtingalotofitsresourcesintotrainingandinspiringteacherstomeetthedemandforotherschoolsandcommunitycenterstolearnhowtoincorporateholisticlearningandlivingintotheirprogramsandcenters.Someofthoseeducator-facilitatorshavebeentheyouthsthemselves.EscolaKumarwasinvitedtoparticipateintheinternationalGaiaEducationNexGENstrategymeetingthisSeptemberthatfocusedonhowtobringsustainabilityandsocialjusticeteachingintoschoolsandtoyouthsthroughinformaleducation.https://ecovillage.org/project/ede/

YouthinPermacultureProgram:Empoweringyouthwithresources,skills,andinspiration.PermaculturePathwayProgramforYouthsThisyearagroupofyouthsandyoungadultshavebeenbusyworkingwithEscolaKumar,PermaMedandArtifexBalearimplementingpermacultureonMallorcaandbeyond.Locallytheyhaveplantedandharvestedforestgardens,builtpalettestructures,designeddemonstrationsites,createdgreywatersystems,andmorerecentlyhavebegunassistingandteachingworkshopsatEscolaKumarandinlocalschools.Theyarecreatinganddocumentingtheirprojects,creatingportfoliosoftheirwork,interviewingmentorsandhavebeenofferedjobsthatenablethemtomakeabitofmoneydoingallthis-andtheyarehavingfun.ThroughthePermaculturePathwayProgramofferedthroughEscolaKumartheyareskilling-upinpermaculturetoolsanddesign,capitalizingonwhatRosemaryMorrowreferstoas“thefreedomandresponsibilityofferedthroughselfdirectednon-formaleducation”.Theopportunityforthisprogramcomesfromseveralfronts:eageryoungpeoplewantingtolearnpermacultureskillsthroughexperience,mentorsinterestedinsupportingthem,andacommunitythatrecognizesthevalueofincludingyouthsandsupportthroughgenerousdonations.Havingaccesstoresourcesandmentorscanplayakeyroleinempoweringyouths.Oneoftheprogramparticipants,EliasRobson,pointsout:“FortunatelyonMallorcawe’vehadaccesstomanygreatlocalandvisitingmentorswhohaveencouragedourparticipationintheirworkshops,includingworldrenownedteacherssuchasRosemaryMorrow,RobinaMcCurdy,RobinClayfield,SatishKumar,RobHopkins,andmore.LocallyJulioCantosofPermaMed,MiquelRamisofArtifexBalear,andtheteachersatEscolaKumar,haveallprovidedexperientialpermaculturelearningopportunitiesandhaveencouragedustocreateourownprojectsandlearningpathways.”

RosemaryMorrowunderscoredthevalueofempoweringyoungpeople,notonlywithexperienceworkingatsites,butalsothroughteachingtheirpeers.Takingthistoheart,theyouthsinMallorca,invitedbytheirlocalmentors,havebegunsupportingusinofferingtrainingprogramsandgoingintolocalschoolsandassistingteacherstobringpermacultureintothepublicsecondaryschools.

EscolaKumarinitiatesaninternationalYouthinPermaculture(YiP)MovementUnfortunately,bothlocallyandinternationally,manyyouthsdon'tknowabouttheopportunitiesofferedthroughpermacultureyetandlikewisetherearemanyprojectsthathaveyettobenefitfromharvestingtheenergyofyouths.AspartofthePathwayProgramEscolaKumaryouthsparticipatedinthe2016EuropeanPermacultureConvergenceinBolsena,Italy,wheretheywerebothinspiredandwellreceived,yettheynoticedthenearabsenceofotheryouthsattheevent.TheydiscussedtheimportanceofincludingyouthsinthepermaculturemovementwithmembersofthesuccessfulChildreninPermaculture(CiP)project.Thesediscussionsinspiredanewprojecttobuildaninternationalnetworkengagingyouthsinpermaculture(YiP)http://www.youthinpermaculture.org. EscolaKumaryouthsinitiatedaprojectthatnowincludes18organizationsfromtencountriesincludingmembersfromtheChildreninPermaculturegroupandtheUKandSpanishPermacultureAssociations.Weareimpressedwithhowmuchinteresttheinitiativehasattracted.Usingsociocracyasagovernancetool,themembersco-createdtheorganizationataself-fundedmeetinginthePyreneesthiswinter.Youthsareagrowingpartofthedecision-makingteam,providingleadershipandguidancethroughouttheproject.Ideallythiswillbecomeayouth-runprogram,designedbyyoungpeople,withmentorsactinginanadvisorycapacity.YiPhasrecentlybeenawardedfundingfromEurasmusplustoholdtwomoremeetingsinItalythisfallandCzechoslovakianextspring.EscolaKumarandPermamedyouthswillbehelpingtofacilitateanddesigntheseevents.AsRobinaMcCurdy,aworldrenownedpermacultureteacher,toldtheyouthsonMallorca,“Youtharethefuture.Takethetoolsandknowledgeandpowerandgoforit!Makeadifferenceforyourselvesandtheworld.”EscolaKumarisopeningthedoorstoincludeyouthsthroughoutEuropeandstrengtheningthepermaculturemovementandtheirfuture.

InternationalPermacultureMagazinewassoexcitedbythePathwayProgramandYiPinitiativethattheypickedupthestoryandpublishedafullpagearticleabouttheEscolaKumaryouthprojectandYiPinitiativeinthe2017springissue.https://www.permaculture.co.uk/back-issues. ThefrontcoverphotographisofayouthworkingatEscolaKumar.ArangeofyoungpeoplejoinusatEscolaKumareveryweekformentorship,projectmeetingsandclassesandareworkingonseveralprojectsincludinganinspirationaloralhistoryprojectwhereyouthsintervieweldermentorsandleadersinthesustainabilitypermaculturemovement.ThesevideointerviewswillbeeditedandputonaYouTubechannelrunbyInternationalPermacultureMagazine.EscolaKumaryouthsarealsoputtingtogetheraGISinteractivemapofMallorcasustainabilityandholisticeducationprojectsontheisland.

Worldrenownedpermacultureteachersprovideworkshopsforeducators,youths,andcommunitymembersonMallorcaEscolaKumarissupportedthroughrichcombinationoflocalcollaboratingteachersandinternationallyrecognizedleadersandteachersinthesustainabilityandpermacultureworld.RosemaryMorrowisaninternationallyknownpermacultureteacher,author,andouradoptedmentor.Inthesummerof2016RosemaryvisitedEKforthethirdtime.Sheofferedaseriesofworkshops,thefirstofwhichwasfocusedonyouthengagementandempowermentwithover36youthattendees.ShegaveatalkonyouthrefugeesinAfghanistanwhohavebeenusingpermacultureasameansofrebuildingtheirdamagedcityofKabul.Shealsoworkedwithparentsandothermentorstocomeupwithsolution-basedideastohelpempoweryouthsonMallorca.EscolaKumaralsohostedawell-attendedstrategicworkshoponbioregionalandislandresilience.RosemaryMorrowisknownasbeingateacher’steachersoitwasgreattohaveherwithusagaintosharetipsandresourcesonholistic,hands-oneducation.TheEscolaKumarPathwayprogramwasfeaturedontheInternationalSustainabilityPodcastradioshowinaninterviewconductedwithyouthsfromthePathwayProgramandRosemaryMorrow,andteachersfromEscolaKumar,ArtifexBalear,andPermaMed.RosemaryalsoofferedaparticipatoryworkshoponinformaleducationthatincludededucationgroupsandteachersfromalloverMallorca.EscolaKumarandPermaMedwerealsohonoredtohostanotherworldrenownedpermacultureteacherandauthorRobinClayfieldduringtheSpringof2017.Sheofferedaseriesof7workshopsonholisticdynamicteaching,facilitation,andprovideduswithneweducationmaterials.Robinofferedover60participantsamorehandsoncreativeapproachtoteachingandinspiringsustainableandregenerativethinkingforstudents.WewillcontinuetocollaboratewithRobininthedevelopmentofdynamicandinspiringeducationalmaterialsinbothEnglishandSpanish.

ThisspringEscolaKumaryouthsreceivedscholarshipsfromtheGaiaFoundationtoattendaworkshopofferedattheUniversityoftheBalearicIslands(UIB)thatwasfocusedontheapplicationoftheUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoalsonMallorca.TheworkshopwasledbyanotherworldrenownedsustainabilityteacherandprogramdirectorofGaiaEducationfromtheecovillageofFindhorn,MayEast,andlocalauthorandteacherDanielWahl.AsaresultofthistrainingEscolaKumarhasbeenabletoadopttheSDGintoourpermaculturecertificationtraining.MayEastmetwithyouthsandparticipantsfromthePathwayProgramtodiscussedwaystoexpandtheprogramandempoweryouths.EscolaKumarwasinvitedthisfalltojoinNextGENandGaiaEducationmembersfromaroundtheworldatastagingmeetinginEstoniatoimprovesustainabilitytrainingforyouthsineducationcentersworldwide.

ProvidingaVarietyofWorkshopsandMulti-LevelTrainingOpportunitiesEscolaKumarnowoffersexperienceholisticeducationonthreelevels.Oneisathroughseriesofintroductorycommunity-baseddayandahalfdayhands-onparticipatoryworkshops.Oftenbuiltonaseasonalthemes,theseworkshopsaregreatcommunitybuildingexperiencesthatmakerealskillsaccessibletocommunitymembers,teachers,andstudentswhowanttoapplypermaculturetoolsandskillsintotheircenters,homes,programsandlives.Thesepublicworkshopsalsoprovideanopportunityforyouthsandteachertrainerstoteach.Theseworkshopsareusuallyofferedfreeofchargeorbydonationandarefunandcelebratoryintheirnaturebringingtogethermembersofthecommunity,bothyoungandold,toworkonhands-onprojects.Theseareusuallydoneinthegardensorbybuildingsomethingtogetherandofferingskillsthatpeoplecantakebacktotheirhomesandeducationcenters.OverthelastyearEscolaKumarhasofferedtheseworkshopsonceortwiceamonthdependingonthetimeofyear.TheworkshopsusuallyincludeagardenrichsolarpaellaprovidedbythevolunteersandlocalsolarchefBruceRobson.Thenextlevelofeducationalprogramsthatareofferedaremorein-depthgloballyrecognizedcertificationprogramsinareassuchaspermaculture,holisticteachingoragroforestry.Thesein-depthprogramsarerecognizedgloballyandtaughtthroughdynamicprojectdrivencurriculums.In2016and2017weoffedtwosixmonthpermaculturecertificationprograms.Graduatesformthisyear’sprogramsarealreadypracticingwhattheyhavelearnedthroughprogramstheyhaveinitiatedintheirwork,schools,communitiesandhomes.ThisspringseveralgraduatesstartedanurbancommunitygardenprogramfundedbythecityofPalma.Othershavecreatedanattentivenaturalfoodandlearningcenter,andanotherstudenthasinitiatedatransitiontownmovementinalocalvillage.Manyoftheseparticipantsalsojoinedournextlevelofprofessionaltrainingandmoreexperientialdevelopmentthroughthepermaculturepathwayprogram,whichisopentoadultsaswellasyouths.Hereparticipantscangainonthejobtrainingthoughmentors,teaching,designingprograms,andimplementingpermaculturesitedesignandmaintenance.ThisfallEscolaKumarwillhoistteachersfromtheInternationalPermacultureInstitutetoofferworkshopsinsociocracy,socialpermaculture,forestgardening,biochar,andsolarenergyworkshops foreducators,communityleaders,andyouths.Allourworkshopsaremademoreaccessiblethroughdonations,workexchangeandscholarships.

EscolaKumar-AsanactivedemonstrationsiteTheEscolaKumarisdevelopingafamily-scalelivingmodelofanecologicallyandeconomicallysustainableoffgridhomethatcansupportafamily,offices,andasmallschool.Byprovidinganexampleofsustainableliving,atanaccessiblescale,ina“normal”communitysettingwecanencourageindividualstoactascatalystsforchangeintheirowncommunitybyadoptingthesemethodsintotheirhomesandlifestyles.TheEscolaKumardemonstrationsitehasexpandeditspermaculturedemonstrationgardensandfoodforest,improvedsoilswithavarietyofcomposts,andhasrenovatedthewatersystemtoincluderobustwatercatchmentcapacityandstorage-includingagreywatersystemcompletewithafishandfrogpondandaplantbio-filter.Wehavealsoincorporatedsolarfoodpreparationtechnologieswithactivesolarcookers,ovens,anddehydrators.Futureplansincludeloweringthecentercarbonfootprintbybecomingenergyself-sufficientbyproducingcleanrenewableenergyandinnovativeheatingandcoolingsystems.Inadditiontocoursesthatusethesefacilities,theEscolaKumarofferson-sitetourstoteachers,studentsandlocalgroupssuchasFriendsoftheEarthandSerendipity,toinspirethemtobegintoimplementchangesintheirownhomes,programs,andcommunities.Teachersareoftenverybusyduringtheschoolyearanditishardforthemtotakeextraclasses.Aneffectivewayofreachingteacherscanbethroughcollaboratingwiththeteachertrainingcenters(CEPs).Inthelastyearover60teachershavevisitedEscolaKumartolearnedabouttheapplicationandintegrationofholisticandecologicaleducationthroughpermaculture.Thestepstakentotransitionthesitewillbepostedonthewebwithresourcematerialstoprovidethoseinterestedinmakingasimilartransitiontosustainablelivingwithdetailsandcost-benefitanalyses.

EscolaKumar-AsaninspirationalmeetingandresourcecenterInadditiontobeinganeducationalanddemonstrationsite,theEscolaKumarhasalsoevolvedintoanimportantresourcecenterandmeetingspacewhereeducatorsandinnovatorsgathertodiscussideas,shareresources,andcollaborateinplanningprojectstogether.Regularopen-houseandcommunitygatheringsoccuratEscolaKumarsothesenewprojectscanalsobepresentedtothegeneralpublic.OfficeandmeetingspaceattheEscolaKumarisbeingexpandedandisusedregularlyforteachers,projectcoordinators,andparticipants.Aresourcecenterwithbooks,journals,magazines,andvideosisbeingdevelopedwithvolunteersupport.Teachers,studentsandcommunitymemberscanborrowbooks,tools,educationalmaterials,supplies,andeducationkitstohelpthemwithprojectsandteaching.Inaddition,educationalmaterialsandtrainingkitstobeusedincoursesorlentouttoteachersarebeingcreatedandstoredhere.Inordertoreachawideraudience,educationalmaterials,curriculum,andvideosarebeingcreatedfordistributionthroughassociatedwebsitesforeaseofaccess.Atourlargeroundtablewehostcountlessmeetingsthroughouttheyearaswellasinspirationalcelebrationswithgoodlocalgardenfoodcookedsustainablyusingsolarcookers,accompaniedbymusic,goodcheer,andartwheneverpossible.

EscolaKumar-AschoolwithoutwallsTheEscolaKumarisaninspirationandanidea;itisnotphysicallylimitedbywalls.Manyactivitiesextendtootherareas,schools,communitycentersandprojectsontheisland.AnexcellentexampleofthisisthecollaborationwithMiquleRamisofArtifexBalearthroughthebio-constructioncoursesandwithPermaculturaMediterráneaonademonstrationsiteattheSonBarrinaorganicfarm.TheprojectisleadbyJulioCantosandsupportedinpartthroughthefoundationEducationporlaVida.Alargeandexcitingcreativelandscapedesignofconcentriccirclesdrawstogethermultipledisciplinestoincorporateacommunityfoodforestandpermaculturegardensintoademonstrationsitethatisaccessibletolargerschoolandcommunitygroups.Tohelpsupportthedevelopmentofthesitethroughcommunityinvolvement,workshopsandvolunteerworkpartiesarebeingorganizedthisyear.Inaddition,inresponsetoincreasingdemand.AsmentionedinthisreportEscolaKumarisworkingwithhighschoolsanduniversitiessuchastheBalearicInstituteforDesigntosupportstudentsandfacultyindevelopingholisticeducationalprojectsanddemonstrationsitesfortheirstudents.

Nextstepsin2018forEscolaKumarandcollaboratorPermaMed:

• SupportyouththroughinternationalyouthexchangesandexperiencesplanedwithEuropeanpartnersandprofessionaltrainingprogramswithlocalmentors.

• ImprovetheEscolaKumareducationaldemonstrationsitethroughparticipatoryworkshopsthatcreateinfrastructurethatlowersourecologicalandcarbonfootprint,throughsolarenergyinstallations,andwaterreductionandreusesystemsthatcaneasilybereplicatedinhomes,andeducationandcommunitycenters.

• Implementamultipliereffectbyprovidingaccessiblepermacultureresourcesfor

educators,youths,andcommunitygroups.Developanddistributeonlinecourses,video,digitale-books,educationalandinstructionalmaterialsandresources.

• Supporteducatorstoimplementholisticsuitabilityandpermacultureeducationinto

thecurriculumanddeveloponsiteinteractivedemonstrationsitesatschools,suchasgardens,solarcookers,recycleworkshops,participatoryartandmore.

• CollaboratewithinternationalorganizationssuchasYouthinPermaculture,Gaia

Education,NextGENandothers-tobuildsupportforholisticeducationandyouthexchange,andprofessionalopportunitiesforyouthslocallyandworldwide.

• DevelopingaTransitionTownsandpermacultureresourcehubforMallorca

• Encouragingapositiveparticipatoryoutcomeforthisbeautifulworldthrough

example,events,celebrations,workshops,outreachandcertificationcourses.