Jay Griffiths: The Riddle of the Childscape

Friday 14th June 6pm

The Pearce Institute, 840-860 Govan Rd, Glasgow G51 3UU

Entry by donation. No booking required.

You are warmly invited to join us as author Jay Griffiths shares her latest book ‘Kith: The Riddle of the Childscape’. This is the opening event of the Govan Folk University’s ‘Puppets in Partnership’ festival.

While travelling the world in order to write her award-winning book Wild, Jay Griffiths became increasingly aware of the huge differences in how childhood is experienced in indigenous cultures. From communities in West Papua and the Arctic to the ostracised young people of contemporary Britain, she asks why we have enclosed our children in a consumerist cornucopia but denied them the freedoms of space, time and deep play. She uses anthropology, history, philosophy, language and literature to illustrate children’s affinity for the natural world, for animals and woodlands, and examines the quest element of childhood. Arguing that the risk-averse society enfeebles children, robbing them of the physical freedom they both want and need, Griffiths illustrates how the stress of overscheduled lives denies children their hours of unclocked reverie.

Kith examines the history of breaking the will of the child and explores issues of childhood privacy, contemporary surveillance, the importance of folk tales, children’s relationship with pets and the profound politics of childhood. It looks at the extraordinary psycho-drama played out when Settler children, taken by Native Americans, refused to be rescued, and includes the way children have seized power over their own lives. A book of stories, it includes the one real-life Lord of the Flies situation – with the result the reverse of Golding’s bleak vision.

In its urgent defence of the rights and needs of every child, Kith is an impassioned, illuminating analysis of the heart of human experience.

Jay Griffiths previous books include Wild: An Elemental Journey which won the inaugural Orion Book Award and was shortlisted for the Orwell prize; Pip Pip: A Sideways Look at Time which won the Barnes and Noble Discover Award for best new non-fiction writer in 2003; Anarchipelago and A Love Letter To A Stray Moon, a fictionalised biography of Frida Khalo.

Advance praise for Kith

‘Kith could have been written by no-one but Jay Griffiths. It is ablaze with her love of the physical world and her passionate moral sense that goodness and a true relation with nature are intimately connected. She has the same visionary understanding of childhood that we find in Blake and Wordsworth, and John Clare would have read her with delight. Her work isn’t just good – it’s necessary’ Philip Pullman

‘Jay Griffiths writes with such richness and mischief about the one thing that could truly save the world: its children’ KT Tunstall

‘An impassioned, visionary plea to restore to our children the spirit of adventure, freedom and closeness to nature that is their birthright. We must hear it and act on it before it is too late’
Iain McGilchrist

‘Kith is a call to live life intensely and authentically, vividly, and with grace, humour and passion. Griffiths has politised awe and wonder and play’ Niall Griffiths

‘Jay Griffiths is one of our most poetic and passionate critics of the ways of civilisation, provocative, illuminating and shamelessly romantic’ Theodore Zeldin

‘Kith is a subterranean book. We excavate it to refind the secrets of childhood, our own, and many other childhoods in times and places far from ours. We join an underground resistance to the capital of grown-up greed, accountancy and profit. We rejoin the Bears.’ John Berger

About David Abram

This event was part of the ‘Govan Together’ learning series funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund.

David Abram — cultural ecologist, philosopher, and performance artist — is the founder and creative director of the Alliance for Wild Ethics. He is the author of The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-than-Human World (Pantheon/Vintage), for which he received the international Lannan Literary Award for Nonfiction. An accomplished storyteller and sleight-of-hand magician who has lived and traded magic with indigenous sorcerers in Indonesia, Nepal, and the Americas, David lectures and teaches widely on several continents. His essays on the cultural causes and consequences of ecological disarray have appeared often in such journals as Orion, Parabola, Environmental Ethics, Tikkun, Wild Earth, Resurgence, and The Ecologist, as well as in numerous edited anthologies. David’s work engages the ecological depths of the imagination, exploring the ways in which sensory perception, poetics, and wonder inform our relation with the animate earth. Named by the Utne Reader as one of a hundred visionaries currently transforming the world, he has been recipient of numerous honors and fellowships. David’s is also profiled in the recent book Visionaries: the 20th Century’s 100 Most Inspirational Leaders (Chelsea Green Press, 2007).

In our last newsletter, CHE Director Emeritus Ulrich Loening reported on plans for a new European Centre for Human Ecology. In case you missed it, here’s what he had to say, along with some photographs he took of his visit:

The German Society for Human Ecology has for a few years been discussing the possibilities of founding a European College of Human Ecology. Over the past two years this has developed into a fully formulated plan. I had not attended any of the annual meetings of the Society, but last June I joined them for a workshop in Frankfurt.

We met first in the southern town of Emmendingen, where the Mayor and many citizens had welcomed the idea. We examined several sites which had been identified for the College. Outside the town is an organic farm around ancient historically interesting buildings, with scope to take over some buildings and build some new ones. Nearer into town is a large parkland area which is a psychiatric hospital, now reducing its local needs. It has beautiful trees, many buildings, also with scope to take on old and build new.

Then right in the centre of town is an old school building and the decaying old Town Hall. Both would need extensive renovation. Also a steel factory, founded about 1860, still run by a descendant of the founding family. He runs it on a sustainable basis, not geared to maximum growth, and offered a lot of space.

These options each have attractive features and question the philosophical basis of what we are trying to achieve. It might be lovely on the organic farm, yet that is not the real modern world. The other extreme would be in the heart of modern industry, facing up to our global problematique. We worked through these options next day in the heart of Frankfurt, among all those financial monster buildings. The whole idea follows the College of the Atlantic, whose founding and present Deans were present, and is based on the liberal arts colleges of the USA. German universities are suffering like ours in UK, except, it seems more so. Liberal subjects like sociology are more or less dead. The possibilities for human ecological thinking and teaching have practically vanished. So the new College would provide the base for a liberal education. I had suggested, from our own experience and that of the now closed Brussels course, that a post-graduate course would be better; but the educational needs really indicated an undergraduate course of 3 or 4 years. Like ourselves and the CoA who sought us out so many years ago, the new project is keen to make international connections. So here is our opportunity to take part and contribute whatever we can offer.

The most immediate plans are to organise an international human ecology conference for 2014, much like the Commonwealth human ecology conferences of which CHE organised the 9th in 1989 and contributed to the one in Manchester in 2009. CHE may have the opportunity to be a partner in the 2014 conference, or at least to make substantial contributions to lectures and workshops.

Of particular interest may be the course ‘Human Ecology in Practice’ 14 -17th September 2013

For more information on this and other courses please follow the link http://www.earthconnections.co.uk

or email Norah Barnes norah@earthconnections.co.uk 
(Please note the CHE is not responsible for content on external websites, nor the courses offered)

Some of the Centre’s book collection

Since leaving the University of Strathclyde in 2010, the Centre for Human Ecology has been based at the historic Pearce Institute in Govan, Glasgow. As well as providing a convivial meeting space, the Centre’s home here contains our beautiful table, made by students and Tom Forsyth back in the University of Edinburgh days- complete with central CHE logo in bog oak from near Faslane nuclear base which would probably carbon date at about 5,000 years old!

CHE’s office and table- complete with 5000 year old bog oak logo!

Also present are the CHE’s library of books on a wide variety of subjects, as well as related archival material including student theses, occasional papers and other research.

We are pleased to announce that the Centre has been awarded funding from Foundation Scotland and the Longstone Trust to improve and relaunch our library as a community resource. This will involve opening the library to the public one day a week and holding associated learning events.

the view from our window of the historic Govan Old Church: the traditional ‘heart of Govan’

We’ll update the website with news of what’s happening and how to get involved, so check back soon- or follow us on Twitter!

Ecopsychology Course 2013 has been postponed.

Please check the website for updates

“My heart feedback is that I feel I have been on a deeply transformative journey, one that has shifted and shaped me in really significant ways, bought me closer to myself, to my connection with nature and to universal love. This was undoubtedly held and made possible by a wonderfully thoughtful, warm and truthful facilitator who was brave enough to step aside and let the woods whisper their wisdoms – so thank you.” – Sophie

CHE educational offerings

The Centre for Human Ecology was the first organisation to offer Ecopsychology as an academic subject with a module developed and delivered in 2000. From its inception, the CHE’s approach to this inter-disciplinary subject has stressed the personal as well as the planetary aspects of ecology and for many years, a ‘vision quest’ in the wilderness of Knoydart, Scotland, formed the basis of the course. This latest incarnation of Ecopsychology by the Centre for Human Ecology was developed by Gerri Smyth, Jane Glenzinska and Paul Maiteny in a way which brings explorations out of the wilderness and into the everyday reality of our lives and which is underpinned by transformative education and holistic learning models

What is Ecopsychology?

ec-o-psy-chol-o-gy n.

1. The emerging synthesis of ecology and psychology
2. The skillful application of ecological insight to the practice of psychotherapy
3. The study of our emotional bond with the Earth
4. The search for an environmentally-based standard of mental health
5. Re-defining “sanity” as if the whole world mattered (Roszak Ecopsychology On-Line
6.)The study of psychological and emotional causes and consequences of ecological dis-integration

Transformative Education/ Holistic Learning

As the subject of Ecopsychology concerns itself with the facilitation of the transformation from ego-centric toward eco-centric ways of being, the course is built upon theoretical foundations of transformative education and holistic learning. At its core, Transformative learning is a process of perspective transformation to include our concepts of self, our convictions and our behaviours.
“Transformative learning involves experiencing a deep, structural shift in the basic premises of thought, feelings, and actions. It is a shift of consciousness that dramatically and irreversibly alters our way of being in the world. Such a shift involves our understanding of ourselves and our self-locations; our relationships with other humans and with the natural world; our understanding of relations of power in interlocking structures of class, race and gender; our body awarenesses, our visions of alternative approaches to living; and our sense of possibilities for social justice and peace and personal joy.” O’Sullivan
The tenets of holistic learning are similarly resonant with the subject of Ecopsychology as they attend to the learner’s body, intention, actions, intellect, imagination, intuition, emotions, empathic capacities, psychic and spiritual dimensions all within and as dimensions of the ecosystem. What is honoured as our fundamental mode of knowing in this model is feeling rather than thinking rather than vice versa and it is this that provides the sharpest contrast to mainstream education and the most transformative challenge for participants. It requires individuals to be fully participant in their learning and in the learning of their peers in an intimate, resonant and affective mode where there are no external experts, no lectures and no marks out of 100.
The Holistic learning model would hold that, in attending so closely to ourselves and our transformative journeys towards an eco-centric self, we are able to learn about the larger picture as the holonomic principle, which assert that the whole is represented in each of its parts, comes into play. The co-operative principles of holistic learning are contradictory to the cultural norms which promote independence rather than interdependence and therefore can kick start a shift into a more participatory paradigm.
For more information on Holistic Learning
For more information on Transformative Learning

 Ecopsychology course outline

The program aims to offer the opportunity for participants to explore the deeper spiritual and existential questions around sustainability in all senses of the word and what it is to be both human and humane that call out to be addressed at this time in our history. This is done while in direct contact with the earth, away from modern technologies and conveniences, throughout three residential camping weekends. The weekends are aligned as far as possible with May Day, Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox so that we can observe the changes in both season and self.
The course is based on a co-operative inquiry model and as such aims to become a relational and participative on-going spiritual practice for those who attend. Through a holistic experiential learning approach including individual learning contracts, the use of peer groups and peer and self-assessment, the course aims to honour individual differences, encourage student-led learning, facilitate transformative experiences and build a lasting community of inquiry, support and practice.

Weekend One- Spring/ May Day/ Arrival/ Experiential Affective Element/ Creative Coursework set
Weekend Two- Mid-Summer/ Solstice/ Presentational Creative Element/ Theoretical Coursework set
Weekend Three- Autumn Equinox/ Departure/ Theoretical, Critical Thinking Element/ Practical Application considered.

Who is it for?

While many Ecopsychology courses are aimed exclusively at psychotherapists, this course is aimed at anyone who questions the wisdom of modern day customs and culture, who seeks to explore the complex web of co-creation of and dependence upon the Earth by all species or who yearns for a holistic engagement in questioning what it is to be both human and humane. It is designed to help facilitate a personal transformation from an ego-centric towards an eco-centric self and to allow for engagement to take place through experience, creativity, critical thinking and practical application. It is for those who are willing to re-define social realities, to participate whole-heartedly, to take full responsibility for their learning journey and to forego the comforts and accoutrements of modern lifestyle for three weekends of basic woodland living.

Course dates and venue

The course will be held over three weekends, spanning six months, that are spaced to allow ample time in between for personal exploration and peer group inquiries. The residential weekends are held in the stunning ancient surrounds of Powder Mill Woods, near Battle in East Sussex which includes indoor spaces in a green roofed roundhouse and a spacious and peaceful yurt as well as outdoor spaces around a large fire pit or in a secluded labyrinth. Participants will be required to provide their own tents and equipment though some will be available to borrow with lengthy advanced notice. Food is provided on the first weekend while subsequent weekends will work on a basis of participants bringing food to share. Further details of suggested equipment and living logistics will be made available upon registration for the course.
3rd-5th May 2013
21st-23rd June 2013
6th-8th September 2013
Weekends will begin on Friday evenings and finish on Sunday afternoon. Exact timings can be negotiated according to the needs of participants. We appreciate that most individuals have work and/or family commitments and that many participants travel considerable distances to attend the course and so will make every effort to accommodate these demands as far as possible. However, if you do live at some distance away from Sussex, it is likely that you will need to arrange to have each Friday free for travelling to Powdermill.

(click images to enlarge)

Cost

The cost for the course is £650 including workshops and residential fees. Terms and conditions as well as methods of payment will be made available upon registration for the course.

Application Process

In order to apply for a place on the course, please submit a personal statement (no more than 1000 words) that addresses these questions:
* What is it about ecopsychology that interests you?
* How might you apply what you learn about ecopsychology on this course to your everyday life?
* What life experience do you feel you bring that relates to this course?
*What support systems do you have in place to sustain you through a transformative process?
Please send your application and/or any questions to info@che.ac.uk
Applications will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis and places are limited to a maximum number of 12 participants. The deadline for applications is the 20th of April 2013.

CHE Accreditation

The course is accredited by the Centre for Human Ecology which has been providing post graduate education in subjects concerned with the relationship between human beings and the natural environment for the past 40 years. If you are an accredited psychotherapist or other professional in need of Continuing Professional Development hours, this course counts for up to 40 hours of CPD.

Facilitators

The course will be facilitated by Jane Glenzinska and Paul Maiteny.

“I felt my experience was valid & honoured which was such a gift & certainly the way I want to learn.  It brought out the side of me that is wise, creative, transformative & joyous.  I feel I have grown as a person & my relationship to nature has become so much more tangible & solid. “  Julie

Join us near the Winter Solstice for a unique evening of learning, music and fun.

Gordon Chalmers from the University of Queensland, Australia, will be here to share his ideas on ‘Family, Country, Community: Indigenous Australian Understandings of Kinship’ and we’ll all have a chance to share what family, country and community mean to us.
http://www.uq.edu.au/ugmeetingplace/mr-gordon-chalmers

We’ll also have a performance from award-winning traditional singer and musician Mairi Campbell.
http://www.mairicampbell.co.uk/

There’s also a chance to ‘gie it laldy’ on your favourite songs with the (in)famous GalGael Karaoke!

Plus shared food and a warm convivial atmosphere.

Donations welcome

See you there!

Dan Glass is an activist and performer. Dan was named one of the UK’s youth climate leaders by the Guardian, and one of Attitude magazine’s 66 new role models for helping bridge LGBTQ and environmental justice movements. A founder of So We Stand, he facilitates programmes dedicated to building the skills of young women, young people of colour, working class people, and queer people and those with different mental and physical abilities as the next generation of leaders in the social justice movement. Get Dan at The Glass Is Half Full

Maria Latumahina has been working on environmental justice for over a decade. She has been working on avoided deforestation and reduced poverty in the Papua province of Indonesia by empowering forest dwelling communities and building leadership of local government to come up with pro poor and sustainable land use policies. This work has resulted in a reduced planned deforestation of about 6million ha. She has just recently started to apply similar tools and methods to the marine and costal ecosystem management in the area where she grew up.

Amreeta Kaur is a trained Community Learning Development worker, her current work is based in Govan where she hopes to develop positive social change by working with grassroots community members to improve public services.

To follow their progress  on Facebook click here

The programme involves spending a year developing a new generation of leaders who are self-motivated and whose thinking and practice is grounded in communities’ realities. They will be linking local and national initiatives to the global civic movement for international justice. This process of transforming societies for the better and sharing these skills across communities is quite a challenge and they would therefore be very grateful if people would be generous enough to sponsor them.

To donate please email

alright@theglassishalffull.co.uk - this is greatly appreciated. All proceeds will enable the delegation and ongoing communication from S.Africa to happen and further enable the trainings and skills shared back home.

Any contributions would be very much appreciated so thank you in advance for your generosity.

Lots of love from a team facilitating a journey of liberation from oppression!

Transformation is only valid if it is carried out with the people, not for them… Liberation is like a childbirth, and a painful one. The person who emerges is a new person, No longer oppressor or oppressed, but a person in the process of achieving freedom. Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed