A NEW INITIATIVE IN PUCÓN CHILE

By Jose Castro student of the Applied Permaculture Diploma

Have you heard about the Transition movement? Its a phenomenon of British origin (now worldwide) of people, neighbors and communities taking control of their lives and preparing for an uncertain future where the stakes of climate change, peak oil and economic uncertainty are pure inspiration and an opportunity to recreate our lives in a sustainable, local, organic, mutually supportive and participative way.

Yes, I too laughed a few years ago at the mere possibility of big global change being possible, but the fact is that this is already happening! And the enthusiasm and inspiration are more contagious than any type of influenza.

Thanks to a powerful vision, a rich dose of humility and comradeship, and constant work effort, the project Ecoescuela and Villa El Manzano, Cabrero, VIII region, Chile has become the first initiative speaking of transition. What will be the second? And the third? and the fourth? Will a transition movement live in Chile?

If you ask me, I believe that few communities in Chile have as good a predisposition to engage in a transition as the area of Lake Villarrica. It is an area where tourism has become very cosmopolitan, witha lot of diverse colour between the people of Pewén, Chileans and foreigners. There is a common intention of all: a greener Pucón, healthier, and more respectful of the environment. This is becoming a reality.

To support the process, this year in 2010 we begin developing an integrated community center based on the principles of permaculture. This center includes at least one residential area for a community, a Waldorf school for children (which already exists in Pucon), a center of education in sustainable living skills, workshops and office space for food production and aims to be a demonstrative example sustainable living, relocated and resilient, to directly influence the community of Pucón.

It is a tremendous project, which has many arms, and we know that alone is more difficult than in company. Many eyes see beyond what a single mind can imagine. That's why we have invited over the 1,2,3 and 4th of January 2010 to place the center (close to Pucón), an advanced workshop on permaculture design and transition, under the guidance of Grifen Hope and Javiera Carrion and the team at Ecoescuela El Manzano, (all permaculture designers with extensive experience), learning methodologies and design process for projects of permaculture and sustainability transition, your imagination take flight and landed on practical solutions, and charge you for rich experience to carry your own project.

For more information on this advanced design course, see here.