Ecovillage Education:
The Living and Learning Paradigm

• The content of what you learn: the curriculum
  
  
• The way in which you learn: the pedagogy
  
  
• The way the curriculum and the pedagogy are organized: the structure

An Ecovillage Curriculum
An ou sustainability curriculum is shown on the back of this magazine. Intentional Ecovillages and spiritual communities have developed the ecological, spiritual and social/cultural elements of this curriculum for the past 40 years. Many ecovillages offer introductory modules like ecovillage design or permaculture courses (see pages 8 and 9). The stories in the following pages show how ecovillages and related places around the world are specializing in different parts of the curriculum. By following courses at various ecovillages you can already now put together your own curriculum. This is in the process of being formalized (see Living Routes, page 24) so that young people can get certification for their sustainability training, and can make ecovillage design and Earth restoration their future.

Living and Learning Pedagogy
The Living and Learning principle was the rule rather than the exception all during human history, until the hierarchical, domination school system took over. In Europe teachers like Steiner, Montessori, Grundtvig and Freinet have inspired new paths in education. In India, Ghandi, Tagore and Sri Aurobindo and the Mother have done the same. In Brazil Paolo Freire has inspired a pedagogy of the oppressed. The Living and Learning pedagogy is the educational vehicle used for programs at many ecovillages.

Living and Learning Structure
A Living and Learning Pedagogy means that student and teacher together define what is going to be learned, and how. They work together to carry out what is decided. A sharp distinction between the two roles is neither possible nor necessary. Learning by doing is the old way being re-introduced. As an example, many of the strawbale (and other) houses in ecovillages have been built by students and teachers together. All the elements of ecovillage living can and should be learned this way. That is why an ecovillage, full of variety and life, is an ideal place to learn about sustainability with a Living and Learning Pedagogy. Learning becomes fun, productive and creative. The necessary theoretical knowledge can be communicated on the spot or in short classes introducing the practical work. Traditional universities and schools are unable to offer this combination of curriculum, pedagogy and structure for sustainability education. But they can offer credit for training in ecovillages as part of their mainstream curriculum. This is our hope for the future, and for the students of today, who will be the builders of our tomorrow.

A day In the Life of a Living and Learning Center
Increasing numbers of people are visiting ecovillages to immerse themselves in the lifestyles of sustainable communities. Many ecovillages are becoming real Living and Learning Centers for these students to learn about sustainability by living it. To make this tangible, we can sketch a possible day in a Living and Learning Center. Every day will contain 3 aspects of the Living and Learning pedagogy:

• Personal unfolding: meditation, dancing, music, dreams, creativity, writing and rituals in whatever combination fits the local village.
  
  
• Theoretical knowledge of all the different elements of sustainability and its philosophy.
  
  
• Practical skills: implementing the above, living the new paradigm.
  The day may start with a meditation or a walk in nature. After meditating students might meet to share thoughts for the day. Circle dancing or singing are options, or also feeding the animals in some places. Students cook their own meals and clean up. After breakfast the day's work is planned. Theoretical problems and solutions are discussed and designs can be worked out. Work teams are put together to carry out the practical work in cooperation with the teacher (building, planting, harvesting, food processing etc.) Dinner is prepared together with people from the hosting ecovillage. The day may end with talks and debates, videos and slides, discussions with the local community, artistic activities, decision making or whatever is agreed. In one day, students will have experienced a whole array of social, ecological and spiritual aspects of sustainable living.