The program consist of four  one-week modules. Each of them can be followed separately (except week 4 “worldview” which requires participation in at least one other week).

The program consists of a mixture of presentations, creative  assignments and practical exercises  using a variety of approaches. While much information will be presented and expertise shared – this is not a theoretical course!

A unique feature running through the 4 weeks is “Create your own Ecovillage” assignment in which the participants use the space and resources of the host Ecovillage to create their own space, applying what they learn and discover in the course. Below is a brief outline of subjects/themes covered in the course.

This is a framework for your own learning/discovery process: the intention is to stimulate and inspire rather than spoon-feed ready-made answers.

Week 1: Ecology & Permaculture 

General introduction to the course, Vision of sustainability. Learning from Nature, Permaculture Design tools and techniques, Earth Care and Sustainable Technologies.

Week 2: Social Design and Skills

Community and Individual. Communication technologies and Team-building. Decision making, Conflict Resolution. Circles and Presentations.

Week 3: Towards a Sustainable Economy

New ways of giving value and exchanging goods. Local Money systems. Measures of well-being. Social enterprises. Cradle-to-Cradle. Reskilling. Ecological footprint.

Week 4: Worldview

Taking your place in the world. Attitudes and consciousness. Deep Ecology. Creativity and Art of Living.  Integrating Sustainability in your life.

Who is EDE for?

The course is open to everyone – there are no pre-requisites for participants. Sustainability is everyone’s business! Having said that, below is a list of “target groups” we feel would be particularly interested and benefited by this EDE: 

• People who want to combine ecological care with social action.
• People who like to enrich their life with a sabbatical/timeout.
• People who are deeply touched by what is going on in the world.
• Teachers who besides knowledge, are looking for experiences.
• Permaculture practitioners who wish connect their interest with other dimensions of sustainable living.
• young adults who want to make choices in their life.
• Professionals, like managers, architects, governmental officers, researchers, lawyers, who want to open their heart and mind to sustainable work and living.
• Therapist, coaches, social workers and health care professionals who want to connect their work with holistic development.
• People already inspired by  the sustainability movement who want to deepen or focus  their work with a holistic and experiential approach.

The Trainers

Jeanne Hoogenboom, David Yekutiel, Alain van Echelpoel, Taco Blom, Rudy Vandamme, Linda Geraeds, Julie Arts.

The team represent the holistic character of the EDE in their diverse qualities. We bring different skills and expertise, different flavours to the EDE  “cooking pot”. The team includes residents of Kasteel Nieuwenhoven (Jeanne, Taco, Linda and David) as well as Trainers from outside (Alain, Julie and Rudy).

Each week has a sub-team leading the program for that week, but the rest of the team will be present, supporting  and participating in parts of the program (projects, sharing rounds, Party!).

Location

The EDE takes place at the unique location of Kasteel Nieuwenhoven. A large and diverse estate surrounding a Castle and farm with more than one thousand years of history, situated in the prosperous countryside of

Sint-Truiden (Belgium), this is a perfect place to have a time out and prepare yourself for your own future.

Since three years a new Ecovillage is growing and evolving on the site; the people living here are a living example of co-creation and experimentation with sustainable concepts. On the site are an International School of Permaculture and a Youth Program. The extensive Permaculture project on the Castle’s grounds, the 20 ha. sustainably managed forest, lakes and fields, animals and birds all provide a wonderful playground to explore a more natural way of being.