Overview of the course

We are living in a time when sustainability, both environmental and social, has become essential for shaping a livable future. Understanding how natural systems function can guide us in creating human systems that are more balanced, cooperative, and regenerative. 

Personal sustainability is the ability to sustain ourselves: our energy levels, health, and connections to our dreams and visions, other people and our higher self. Personal sustainability leads to social sustainability and then this leads to environmental sustainability as we understand our needs and maintain our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health.

A socially sustainable culture weaves social responsibility into everyday actions; our lives filled with interactions that feed us, nourish our sense of self worth and encourage honesty. We’re social creatures, and life feels richer when we have supportive relationships. Connecting with others nourishes our well-being and helps us grow together.

Using permaculture can benefit us on a personal level; we can feel more empowered, healthy, grounded and able to make appropriate decisions. On a social level permaculture connects people and enables synergistic and co-operative relationships. When collaboration is conscious and well-designed, it can generate creativity, resilience, and meaningful change.

Community Lab felt the need to create this webinar as a space for learning and exchange, bringing together five inspiring speakers from different settlements. Each of them works with different elements and aspects of permaculture, yet their perspectives are deeply interconnected. Through this web gathering, the speakers will share with us their experiences and insights, offering inspiration and practical reflections into our lives, communities and projects.