[Pil-pc-oceania] IPC8 in Brazil - some personal highlights

[Robyn Williamson]

Quoting Rosemary Morrow:

> Hello Everyone:
>
> I wonder if it would be relevant for me to write a few paragraphs
> each week about the actions and ideas from IPC8 which I found
> particularly interesting.  I'm giving you a taste with the following
> and will not continue if you feel it's not for you or not
> appropriate.  I'm going to keep them short and will enter into longer
> discussions with anyone who wishes to contact me on my email.    But
> I hope they will provoke some discussion amongst us all.

Please keep it coming Rowe, and thank you for generously giving your time and
energy to share the outcomes of IPC8 with all of us who were unable to attend.
Personally, I would like to see any longer discussions posted to this list as
well.

> Importance of Think Tanks:
> 1.    Local permaculture Think-tanks look at the bigger regional
> picture and permaculture theory and practice to see how it meets
> future needs,  and then develops plans that can be put to local,
> state or federal governments.    It would be good if each state or
> regional could do this for IPC9.   Is it possible?   Who are our
> thinkers?

Who has the time to think?  Aren't our thinkers all the elders and teachers such
as yourself?  If it were possible it would also depend on who has the time to
participate, meaning decisions would be made by whoever can be there.  It would
be geographically too onerous to meet in person however the
discussions/findings could be simultaneously recorded for posterity and
accessible to all were they presented for example to this or another list or
forum.

> What do you think?
> 1.    Should we hold think tanks and then present the results at APC9?

I think this is a great idea Rowe, one that has previously been shot down in
flames but perhaps the time is now right.

At the risk of stating the obvious, following are my initial thoughts on your
other difficult but thought-provoking questions:

> 2.    What are the  local regions Australia of Australia and the
> south Pacific which would need regional permaculture plans - and if
> restoration is to start - what should it be?

These local areas would need to identify themselves and their own particular
needs.  Restoration work would be specific to each region depending on local
conditions, resources available etc.

> 3.    Where do we feed in our findings?

To a central point such as this list or a forum where everyone interested has
access.

> 4.    How does this information affect our teaching curriculum?

Not sure, this one is for experienced teachers.

>> Importance of a cultural mix
> 1.    The young are anxious to talk to and to learn from their
> elders?    How can we facilitate this more where we live?

More local permaculture events and celebrations attended by our elders.

> 2.    Should we focus on extending our influence throughout our
> neighbourhoods and councils

Yes, acting locally is critical.

 - should a condition of learning
> permaculture be to teach others on return home?

I was under the impression this was more or less a requirement already and the
basis of how to achieve the exponential growth pattern demonstrated by Mr
Mandelbrot's formula Z=z2+c

    What would happen
> if our farmers did this?

Sustainable agriculture would no longer be an oxymoron.

> 3.    How can we support our permaculture colleagues better in
> African and Asian continents?

We need to find out from them how they want us to support them then take the
necessary steps.  What we think they need is not necessarily so.

> 4.    What are our biggest successes from the viewpoint of impact?

In this country, the increasing majority of people who've been made aware and at
least are concerned about the issues, also the number of individuals actually
adopting sustainable practices at home or work and leading by example.

>
> What other questions occurred to you about "who came"?

I noticed there were no Australian Aborigines, is that right?

Thank you John Champagne for your response and insights, and Rowe you've
certainly given us a lot to think about ... I too hope others will take this on
and offer us their thoughts.

Luv & peas,
Robyn

CONTACT DETAILS:

Robyn Williamson
Education Team
PERMACULTURE SYDNEY WEST INC.
PDC, Urban Horticulturist
Local Seed Network Coordinator
NORTH WESTERN SYDNEY COMMUNITY SEED SAVERS
mobile:  0409 151 435
ph/fx:  (612) 9629 3560
http://www.seedsavers.net
http://www.communityfoods.org.au
http://www.communitygarden.org.au
http://www.bidjiwongcommunitynursery.org.au
http://www.permaculturesydneybasin.org.au