“Close the Gap. Open the Circle”. [1]
At the recent International Permaculture Convergence held in Los Cocos in Cuba, India was voted to host the 2017 International Permaculture Conference IPC. In Late November through to early December 2017 India will host the IPC in Hyderabad, Central Southern India. The petition for India was lead by Narsanna Koppula Secretary on the Board of Directors of Aranya, the hosting organisation. The bid for India was researched, prepared and supported by a team of permaculture activists from Australia – April Sampson-Kelly, Pete the Permie, Sylvia, Arresh, and Miranda. We also very grateful to Tierra Martinez, Rodolfo Almaraz for your brave support, knowing that Latin American, especially Argentina, will indeed hold a wonderful Conference in the future but still you graciously accepted that Asia deserves the opportunity.
“Aranya”, the name of the Indian hosting organisation means ‘the forest’ and their mission is to research and implement alternative agriculture through permaculture practices. Narsanna is also on the board of director of Permaculture Association of India. Aranya has hosted the National Indian Permaculture Convergence, has over 70 full time staff members and many people trained and experienced in hosting conferences. It also has over 1000 permaculture gardens and 100s of farms to demonstrate good permaculture projects in India.
India is an economically resilient country, neither dependent on imports or exports. Hyderabad has recently hosted two major international conferences on Biodiversity and World Agricultural Fair. which was attended by 62 countries. Hyderabad is the silicone valley of India so there will be no technological restrictions and ample professional assistance for all levels of the process.
The proposed theme for the Indian Conference and Convergence is “Close the Gap. Open the Circle”. [1] There will be a strong focus on the plight and power of women in creating change to close the gap between rich and poor and open the circles of understanding, knowledge and wisdom of the elders. Recently Vandana Shiva has supported permaculture and she will be invited to be a Key note speaker at this conference. Robyn Francis has promised to help teach the PDC leading up to the Conference because 2017 celebrates 30 years since the first PDC taught in India, indeed in Hyderabad by her and Bill Mollison.
[1] The proposed theme was created and designed together by Permaculture activists April Sampson-Kelly and Loretta Buckner, and Film director Gillian Leahy who collectively hold the copyright with permission for use solely by Narsanna Koppula and Aranya, as the hosting organisation for IPC17-India.
Here is the website for the Indian International Permaculture Conference and convergence and permaculture tours. You can now register your interest to help or attend.