permaculture

["Steve Read" <steveread@free.fr>]

Hallo to all

Thought I would just present the system we got / are further developing in 
France. 

The PDC's here follow the syllabus mentioned from 1985(?) and uses the Manual 
/ personal stuff to flesh this out and to add in local and cultural stuff;

Having completed a PDC students can then give inbtroductory talks and 
conferences etc but not teach full design courses unless with a Diploma 
holder. They can also follow any other PDC for "free", just paying the board 
and lodging part of the course fee (this was a tradition set up way back in 
time by Bill Molllison from what I understand). The 2 day introductory 
courses that PDC certificate holders can give follow a part of the same 
programe for the 72 hour (minimum) full course, so these 2 days can count as 
a 'credit' towards the full course if people who followed it want to carry 
on, ie they start the 3rd day. 

PDC certificate holders can then go on to study for their Diploma of 
Permaculture Design, a 2 year minimum (normally), tutor supported process 
that culminates in the student presenting their 'portfolio' of work / study 
and designs to a group of their peers and at least 2 Diploma holders, the 
criteria follow what was put into place by B. Mollison et Co, except we have 
also added in that the student presents their take on how they would lead a 
full PDC. There is a fast track process for those who tthink they have or are 
considered to have already the experience and qualification needed, they put 
together a portfolio and send this through to 2 Diplma holders who then say 
yes or no to the person passing straight onto the next accrediation event or 
even setting up a special event.

There is also an Apprenticeship scheme we are busy putting together for PDC 
cert holders who go on to do a tour of France (and other countries if they 
wish) of accredited pmC projects where the project holder has a Diploma of 
PmC Design and at least 5 years design experience ( again this is flexible 
where someone may have other type of experience / qualifications.) 

We have a forthcoming PmC Teacher training course in January and a part of 
that will be bringing the syllabus up to date and more French culture 
orientated, adding in non-violent communicartion and consensus and some other 
things as core recomended modules. We will also expand the Peoplecare side, 
looking at designed healthcare systems, especially around childbirth and 
health building, with the Earthcare adding in some key modules on building 
etc. We'll also do a general update of it all to add in the very many things 
that have developed  since the original programme and Designers Manual were 
produced.

All of this is being done through the medium of the Université Populaire de 
Permaculture, an open access, non-campus based non-Govt organisation. One of 
our aims is to try and ensure that there is consistency in both what is 
taught and the general quality of the PmC courses run in France. 

To the more anarchist orientated free spirits out there understand that this 
system is designed for the French culture and people, it uses existing French 
models (the tradition of Université Popluaire's and  the Compagnonage 
apprenticehip scheme, I haven't presented it as some sort of recommended 
univerally applicable system, it  isn't. Its also more flexible than I have 
maybe made it sound! 

SteveR

www.permaculturefrance.org