Earth Literacy - Awakening the Dreamer Symposium
Facilitated by Val Silidker
CTD # 0487a Reverence # 628231

(7 hours of Professional Development Credit for Faculty)

By examining the core values and ways of seeing the world that are deeply embedded in our modern worldview, the Earth Literacy - Awakening the Dreamer Symposium will help participants rethink the "American Dream." Participants will learn to shift focus away from material accumulation and unrestrained private interest to an appreciation for the ecosystems upon which we depend for life.  The aim of the symposium is to explore the assumptions that underlie the way we see the world and our place in it. Participants will consider what each of us can do - both individually and cooperatively - to move toward a more environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just human presence on this Earth.

This 5-hour symposium is a multimedia, hands-on exploration of the current state of our planet through film, demonstration and discussion.  Participants will consider four questions:

•Where Are We? – an examination of the state of environmental, social and personal well-being

•How Did We Get Here? – tracing the root causes that lead to our current imbalance

•What’s Possible for the Future? – discovering new ways of relating with each other, with the Earth and looking at the emerging Movement for change

•Where Do We Go from Here? – considering the stand we want to take in the world and our personal and collective impact

Objectives:

1.        List two (2) common environmentally unsustainable social, personal, or business practices.

2.        State at least one root cause of a threat to the environment and describe its effect on personal or social well-being.

3.        Define the human relationship with Earth according to the Pachamama Alliance.

4.        Identify two or more personal or collective actions that can contribute to a more sustainable, personally fulfilling and socially just world.

Evaluation

Faculty can receive professional development credit of 7 hours for attending the symposium and writing a reflection paper or lesson plan that incorporates key concepts from the experience. - Due to the director of the Earth Ethics Institute within three weeks of the Symposium.