permaculture

[Keith D Johnson <keithdj@mindspring.com>]

Have it in both places (or more) and link them up electronically. Use the 
Bioneers model with satellite events elsewhere and stop (at least reduce) 
flying about the planet so much.
Here in the states we could create a national gathering that joins all the 
regionals via a similar digital convergence. Could be a lot of fun and bring 
out the skills of the permageeky techno-wizzers (and their friends).
We'd create masses of good content to share.

Merge international with national, national with regional.

Turn bad news into good...

And, as far as voting with our feet, I think boating to Cuba would better. ;-)


-----Original Message-----
>From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>
>Sent: May 27, 2010 11:54 PM
>To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
>Subject: Re: [permaculture] IPC 9 and 10
>
>Scott Pittman wrote:
>> Hi Wes,
>> 
>> I have heard some very disturbing news about the convergence in Africa and
>> am writing you for clarification.  Basically it is being reported that 
>> Geoff
>> Lawton and Ali Sharif bullied people into dropping Cuba (as we had agreed 
>> on
>> in Brazil) in favor of Jordan.
>> 
>> I am very disturbed about this treatment by our international body toward
>> Cuba.  To my mind they have far more to offer IPC10 than does Jordan, which
>> as far as I can tell has one project done by Geoff Lawton to demonstrate.  
>> I
>> am not interested in participating in his aggrandizement, particularly to
>> the detriment of Cuba.
>> 
>> I would appreciate your take on what took place and the email addresses of
>> anyone who participated in the selection so I can also solicit their views.
>
>I am not in the loop but would like to back all that Scott has said, to 
>the letter. With all that Cuba has to offer, rich proving ground for 
>work in the permaculture arena that it is, it is amazing to me that, 
>when political protocol will allow a PC convergence in Cuba, that the so 
>called "power elite" of this important movement turns down such a 
>remarkable opportunity. Did you know that Cuba has one of the most 
>robust, old and diverse ecological zones in the entire world, if not the 
>most diverse? That is unique and beautiful, a rare thing. I have seen a 
>TV documentary on it, on PBS. I'll bet the Cubans would arrange a side 
>trip to this zone for the PC convergence attendees. Also, politically, 
>it would be timely and productive for an international event like this 
>to happen there, very important, in my view, an opportunity, maybe rare, 
>not to be missed.
>
>People in positions of authority with the power to create worthwhile 
>happenings for permaculture folks all over the world should know better 
>than to trade Cuba for Jordan for the convergence.
>
>Also, for Americans, this would be an especially valuable opportunity to
>see and be seen in Cuba, to promote Permaculture, better relations with 
>the USA and to carry home valuable lessons and experiences to tell the 
>rest of the country about, important as there is a vast and growing 
>movement happening in my country, as there is all over the world.
>
>Thank all the positive forces at work in out universe for this forum and 
>for everyone who has made it the useful resource that is is and will 
>continue to be.
>
>How about two convergences or a split in the international governing 
>body with each group going its own way and everyone else having a choice 
>of two events each year?
>
>The message is not to bully people but we can sure as hell vote with our 
>feet.
>
>Lawrence London