Education as if people and planet mattered
In Transformative Learning, Satish Kumar reflects on the legacy of Schumacher College, a beacon of innovation that fosters an ecological-based, holistic model of higher education built around the college’s unique ‘learn by doing, ‘ head, heart, and hands pedagogy.
Over fifty current and former instructors and alumni, including Vandana Shiva, David Orr, Kate Raworth, Fritjof Capra, Bill Mc Kibben, Mary Evelyn Tucker, and Jonathon Porritt, paint a rich picture of education for human well-being and the ecological health of the planet.
Contributions delve deeply into the nature of transformational learning and holistic education, present a wealth of alumni experiences of working towards an ecological society, and detail the expansion of the Schumacher model to Belgium, Brazil, India, Japan, and beyond.
The result is a rich tapestry of ideas and educational methods packed with insights and experience for practitioners and activists looking to build a just, ecological society.
Table of Content
Introduction: A New Pedagogy Satish Kumar
Part 1: Education of Head: Science
In the Beginning: Greening of Education – Satish Kumar
An Overview: A Unique Learning Experience – Fritjof Capra
Pedagogy for the Planet: Salt in the Stew – David Orr
Holistic Science: Teaching for Gaia – Stephan Harding
Holistic Science: Transforming Lives – Rupert Sheldrake
Holistic Science: A New Biology – Bruce H. Lipton
Holistic Science: From the Quanta to the Seed – Vandana Shiva
Agriculture: Science in the Service of the Soil – Wes Jackson
Holistic Science: Healing the Divided Brain – Iain Mc Gilchrist
Part 2: Education of Head: Economics
Small Is Beautiful: Buddhist Economics – E. F. Schumacher
Regenerative Economics: New Story – Jonathan Dawson
The Green New Deal: People and Planet Connection – Ann Pettifor
New Economics: Local Is Beautiful – Helena Norberg-Hodge
Meaningful Work: Less Is More – Juliet B. Schor
Blue Economy: Nature Has No Waste – Gunter Pauli
Doughnut Economics: Turning Economics into Art – Kate Raworth
Ecological Design Thinking: Only Connect – Roberto Fraquelli and Mona Nasseri
Other Ways of Knowing: Transition Design – Terry Irwin and Gideon Kossoff
Part 3: Education of Heart
The Climate Crisis: Radical Activism – Bill Mc Kibben
A Green Future: Narratives of Hope – Jonathon Porritt
Fireside Chat: Love for All – Satish Kumar
Ecology and Spirituality: A Polar Star – Mary Evelyn Tucker
Engaged Ecology: A Learning Arc – Andy Letcher
Ecology and Spirituality: A Sense of the Sacred Earth – Matthew Fox
A Celebration: Experiencing Gaia – Peter Reason
Indigenous Wisdom: Sacred Activism – Starhawk
Indigenous Cultures: A Quincentenary in the Old Postern – Charlene Spretnak
Indigenous Wisdom: Creating a Core New Myth – Colin Campbell
Part 4: Education of Hands
Nature and Art: The Big Picture – Susan Derges
Nature and Art: Web of Connections – Chris Drury
The Craft Revolution: The Magic of Making – Lou Rainbow
Gaia’s Kitchen: A Rich Mix – Julia Ponsonby
Daily Bread: Simple but Not Easy! – Voirrey Watterson
Nature Is Here – Matt Harvey
Regenerative Horticulture: Learning by Doing – Jane Gleeson
Volunteering: Learning Through Service – Elizabeth Webber
Short Course Program: In Search of Meaning – Jane Hall
Part 5: Schumacher Worldwide
Green Hub, Hong Kong: Learning, Living and Loving – Andrew Mc Aulay
Schumi Learning Garden in China: Right Livelihood – Ying Liang
Escola Schumacher, Brazil: Learning as Encounter – Juliana Schneider
Efecto Mariposa, Colombia: The Gaian Connection – Adriana Puech
Bhoomi College, India: Unity in Diversity – Seetha Ananthasivan
Peace and Permaculture Dojo, Japan: Moved by Love – Kai Sawyer
The Schumacher Sprouts, Belgium: Ne me Quitee Pas… – Sabine Denis
Part 6: Schumacher Alumni Experiences
Shaping Sustainability – Sarah Butler-Sloss
East and West – Nancy Lan Liu
A New Worldview – Tom Rivett-Carnac
Taking the Tree Trunk from Our Eye – Nigel Topping
Community Spirit – Paul Dickinson
A Well-Being Economy – Julia Kim
Lasting Gifts – Emily Ryan
A Home and a Community – Eve Annecke and Fiona Tilley
Part 7: The Future
Flourishing: Regenerative Learning – Pavel Cenkl
Acknowledgments
About the Editors
About New Society Publishers
About the author
Pavel Cenkl, Ph D, is a former Dean of Sterling College, Vermont, researcher on ecologically minded curriculum development, environmental philosophy instructor, and avid endurance runner. He is Head of Schumacher College and lives in Devon, UK.