These are exciting times for us here at Schumacher College, as we prepare the ground for two new strands of practically-based courses to complement our existing curriculum in the area of sustainable land use and ecological design, build and refurbishment. We need your input in designing the right courses at this time.
With the focus on practical skills, particular attention will be paid to the importance of craft and quality within truly sustainable practice. We aim to test conventional boundaries, employing cutting edge research alongside evidence based practice, and balancing accredited training with the development of broad critical skills. We propose that this is an urgent and essential area of work.
We are keen to ensure that the courses we develop are highly effective in mobilising people, reskilling them for the future. Therefore we have developed two short surveys to get a clearer idea of what interests and needs there are for training in these two areas, and we are asking you to take part by filling in either or both of the surveys if these new courses are of interest to you in any way. Each one will take about 15 minutes to complete. Thank you so much for any help you can give.
Click here for survey on sustainable land use
Click here for survey on ecological design, build and refurbishment
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The recent UN talks in Cancun have brought climate change back up the news agenda. A year on from Copenhagen, and a few days since Cancun, there is much debate about the agreements and what they will mean in reality. What is still very clear is the necessary and creative conversations that need to continue around the concepts of development, progress and sustainability in the widest sense.
In February we welcome Ian Christie, Robert Chambers, Allan Kaplan, Bunker Roy, Aruna Roy to teach at Schumacher College to address the need for a contextualised approach to this area of work, one that reflects a more organic development methodology and the complex realities around social structures, ecosystems and the global economic system. This will include looking at the implications and benefits of new models and examples of where things have worked from a holistic perspective.
We have a limited number of bursaries available for this course. We are particularly seeking applications from those involved in sustainability and/or education projects in the global South and those in any sector facing redundancy and who are keen to move into the area of sustainable development
Click here for further details about Transformative Development
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Can organisations be successful and genuinely sustainable – in the broadest sense? This is an invitation to explore how businesses can take a different path and increase resilience in years to come, and how that might look for your operations.
Currently, business organisations are often regarded with suspicion for their environmental impact, and yet they are frequently staffed, at least in part, by people with a deep respect for the planet and a keen interest in finding more sustainable ways of working. What would be different if all of us involved in business experimented a little? Instead of metaphors of machine-like businesses and war-like strategies, how would it be to focus on engaged business, building relationships and products with value?
On Purpose and Profit: How holistic thinking can re-make business, run with faculty from Ashridge, a leading European business school and consultancy, you will explore how holistic thinking challenges traditional business strategy, planning and purpose, and leave with an action plan for actually doing something in your organisation or with your clients.
Read more about Purpose and Profit: How holistic thinking can remake business
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Reminder: MSc in Holistic Science and MA in Economics for Transition – Achieving low carbon, high well-being, resilient economies are now open for application.
As you may already be aware, 2011 marks the 20th anniversary of Schumacher College. It is also the centenary of the birth of E.F. Schumacher whose work was inspirational in the founding of the College. This 20th Anniversary marks an important milestone in the College’s history. Thank you for being part of creating these first amazing 20 years.
Schumacher College is more vital than ever to finding transformational solutions to the sustainability challenges of our time. But we need your support.
The College urgently needs to raise around £250,000 this year, in addition to the generous support of The Dartington Hall Trust and our other funders. These funds are vital to the future of our programmes and to help us reach those who can make a difference around the world.
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Vandana Shiva, Mark Tully, Krishna Dutta, William Radice, Satish Kumar
The radical vision behind the setting up of The Dartington Hall Estate project was inspired by the Elmhirsts’ friendship with Rabindranath Tagore – the legendary Indian poet, spiritual teacher, artist, social activist and writer. It was the cross-fertilisation between Indian and Western philosophy and culture which created fertile ground for Dartington’s experimentation in holistic rural living. This course will explore the ideas and experiences of those early years and reflect on their relevance today, at a time when it is more vital than ever that we learn to live harmoniously with nature and each other. May 9 – 13, 2011
For further details of Confluence of Cultures: Understanding the Past, Enriching the Future
Johannes Jaeger, Patricia Shaw, Stephan Harding, Phil Franses, Julie Richardson & Stuart Kauffman (by videolink)
The late Brian Goodwin’s influence on biology, and science in general, was profound and has yet to be fully understood by the scientific establishment. This course brings together Brian’s students, friends and collaborators to discuss the influence his thinking has had in the sciences, social sciences and the wider world of those working for a more humane and sustainable society. It will feature presentations, discussions, and plenty of the participatory, creative and celebratory activities for which Brian was known and loved. May 23 – 27, 2011
For further details of A Science of Qualities: Celebrating Brian Goodwin’s Vision
Eve Mitleton-Kelly, Director of the Complexity Research Programme at the London School of Economics and visiting Professor at the Open University.
In order to take informed action to facilitate resilience and long-term sustainability, it is vital that one understands the interdependence, interconnectivity and co-evolution of complex human and ecological systems. During this course, participants will learn how to understand organisations as complex social systems within a social ecosystem. This will enable them to work with and apply principles of complexity in their own workplaces or communities with remarkable results. June 6 – 10, 2011
For further details of Addressing Complexity Theory and Sustainability in Practice
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Systems Thinking in a Complex World
Hardin Tibbs, Philip Franses, Jean Boulton, Peter Senge (by videolink), Alex Haxeltine, Gunter Pauli
January 4 – 21, 2011 (one, two, three-week options)
Transformative Development
Ian Christie, Robert Chambers, Allan Kaplan, Bunker Roy, Aruna Roy
January 31 – February 18, 2011 (one, two, three-week options)
Purpose and Profit: How holistic thinking can remake business
Chris Nichols, Chris Seeley
Febuary 21 – 25, 2011
Ecological Facilitation: A gritty and creative approach to leadership
Jenny Mackewn, Antonia Spencer
February 27 – March 5, 2011
Ecopsychology: Exploring the Roots to Change
Mary-Jayne Rust, Dave Key, Jerome Bernstein (via video-link), Alida Gersie and Sophy Banks
March 7 – 25, 2011 (one, two, three-week options)
Green Design in Practice: Building an Earthship
Kevan Trott
March 21 – April 1, 2011
Ecoliteracy: First principles for radical change
Fritjof Capra (by videolink), Satish Kumar, Gustavo Esteva (by videolink), Stephan Harding, Philip Franses, Julie Richardson, Mark Burton, Jon Rae, Terry Irwin (by videolink), Antonia Spencer, Bethan Stagg, Hal Gilmore, Anne Miller, Emily Ryan (course facilitator)
March 28 – April 8, 2011
Confluence of Cultures: Understanding the Past, Enriching the Future
Vandana Shiva, Mark Tully, Krishna Dutta, William Radice, Satish Kumar
May 9 – 13, 2011
The Divided Brain: Two Ways of Being in the World
Iain McGilchrist
16 – 20 May, 2011
A Science of Qualities: Celebrating Brian Goodwin’s Vision
Johannes Jaeger, Patricia Shaw, Stephan Harding, Philip Franses, Julie Richardson & Stuart Kauffman (by videolink)
May 23 – 27, 2011
Addressing Complexity Theory and Sustainability in Practice
Eve Mitleton-Kelly
June 6 – 10, 2011
An excellent balance between theory and practice, learning, living and doing. Course participant, Ecoliteracy: First principles for radical change
Open Evenings Online for January and February 2011 have been announced.
For recordings of 2010 Open Evenings click here.
MSc in Holistic Science
Masters in Economics – Achieving low carbon, high well-being, resilient economies
Diploma in Horticulture (sustainable horticulture)
In collaboration with Duchy College
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Holistic Science Journal Issue number two featuring Fritjof Capra, David Peat and Teresa Wolfenden. Buy now for you or as a gift subscription.
Call for papers Responsibilty in Economics: The legacy of E.F. Schumacher
On September 22 and 23, 2011 the European SPES (Spirituality in Economics and Society) Forum holds its seventh international Annual Conference on Responsibility in Economics and the Legacy of E.F. Schumacher. The conference will be organised by the Center for Ethics, University of Antwerp in collaboration with the Business Ethics Center, Corvinus University Budapest and the Fondation Charles Léopold Mayer. The invitation for paper proposals is open until January 15, 2011. Click here for more details.
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Schumacher College is a part of The Dartington Hall Trust, a registered charity, bringing ideas on sustainability to life.
