Deepening the Edge Work

The edge is the meeting point between the known and the unknown, between something being too well known, which makes it boring to us, and too unknown, which makes it confusing. The edge is a zone of high intensity, instability, creativity and innovation. Just as it is possible, through the design of ecological sustainable systems, to increase diversity and life by maximising the edges between neighboring biological communities, so it is possible to create a larger edge effect in community development thereby maximising its benefit to the society as a whole. This module will position Gaia Trainers as maximisers of edges between different communities with differing modes of operation, power structures, cultures, physical environments and worldviews. It will equip trainers with the skilful means to adapt to multiple scenarios and situations and ultimately thrive and help others thrive through creativity and playing for collaborative advantage.

This training is designed to build the capacity of participants to become Multipliers – facilitators of vitally important conversations who can replicate and organise their own SDG Training of Multipliers. The goal is to create a ripple effect and multiply the implementation of the SDGs. In this training participants learn an easily replicable process to facilitate more of these conversations themselves in the future, with the SDG Flashcards and the SDG Multipliers Handbook as useful guidance tools to support the process.

The Training of Trainers includes a SDG Training of Multipliers. You can choose to register for the two-day SDG Training only. Please note that if you wish to become a Gaia Education Certified Trainer, you must attend the full Training of Trainers and not only the SDG Training. 

O.U.R. (One United Resource) Ecovillage is a sustainable learning centre and demonstration site which focuses on ecological ways of living involving Permaculture design. Located on an extraordinary 25 acres near Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, O.U.R. Ecovillage began operations in 1999 with a vision to create a model demonstration sustainable village community rooted in social, ecological, and economic well being. O.U.R. Ecovillage is a sacred space where permanent residents and short-term visitors co-create sustainable community.

May East - Via Web

May East is a British/Brazilian urban ecologist, sustainability educator and social researcher. Her work spans the fields of cultural geography, world music, and women’s studies, A UNITAR Fellow she holds a Master of Science in Spatial Planning with specialization in the rehabilitation of abandoned villages. Her research interests include nature-based solutions for urban planning and the use of regenerative design approaches for shaping eco-communities, mining cities, slums, transition and ghost towns. Co-founder of Gaia Education, currently she serves as the UN House Scotland Director of Cities programme. May was designated one of the 100 Global SustainAbility Leaders by Showcase Asia and ABC Carbon three years in a row and Women of the Decade in Sustainability and Leadership by Women Economic Forum 2019.

Jane Rasbash

Jane works in sustainable development using an empowerment and engaged spirituality approach. She lives in Findhorn Ecovillage and has taught on EDEs in Findhorn, Sieben Linden, Myanmar and Thailand.

Jane supports all stages of the project cycle as a needs based consultant for community, sustainable education and rights based projects in Asia and Africa. Jane has taught the work that reconnects for many years and more recently transition town training. She co-founded the Grassroots Leadership Training, an ongoing programme with a big impact on emerging civil society in South East Asia, particularly Myanmar.

Jane is also a life coach who mentors leaders in the South, often working in incredibly challenging situations. She is passionate about Traditional Village such as Ecovillage and shifting existing communities towards resilience, and supports GEN to take this forward.

Giovanni Ciarlo

Giovanni is a sustainability consultant, musician and change agent for peace and social justice. He served on the faculty of the Sustainable Businesses and Communities MA programme at Goddard College, where he completed his MA degree.

He presently works in the management team of Gaia Education and is Coordinator of the online course Gaia Education Design for Sustainability(GEDS). Gio is a past president of the Board of the Global Ecovillage Network(GEN), and co-founder of the Ecoaldea Huehuecoyotl in Tepoztlan, Mexico, an ecovillage based on principles of sustainable living through the arts and ecology.

Gio is passionate about building community, organisational development, facilitation and mindful living. His work emphasises artistic creativity, team building, deep democracy, nonviolent communication, social justice, and environmental responsibility. He is committed to fomenting a restorative culture.