Explorations Beyond Sustainability
Activists are warming up for a celebration of permaculture in Britain


Preparations are warming up for the “Permaculture NetTogether”, a major celebration of permaculture in Britain. The event will consist of a groundbreaking design school and convergence. The weekend is being billed as a perfect opportunity to both look back on the past achievements of the permaculture movement, in Britain and abroad, and to set the agenda for the future. The core aim will be to empower all those who attend, whether experienced activists or new comers to permaculture, with a greater understanding of how they can make permaculture work for them to bring about environmental and social progress.

The event will be lead by teachers and practitioners with years of experience in putting this innovative design system to work at the cutting edge of sustainable development. Key figures from the environmental movement, including Satish Kumar, editor of “Resurgence Magazine”, and Caroline Lucas MEP will be taking part in the celebrations. Permaculture is a design concept that uses patterns and principles learned from nature. Since its conception in the 70s, permaculture activists have been involved in evolving and adapting the system across disciplines as diverse as agriculture, urban planning, community development and disaster relief. The concept has been used across the UK to develop award-winning projects in both urban and rural contexts.

After 21 years of implementation and research the Association has an impressive portfolio of member projects. They are now looking to foster greater links with the wider social justice and environmental movements, to share experiences and to learn from each other. The 5-day “NetTogether” event, to be held from 1st – 5th of September, incorporates a Design School and Convergence21.

The Design School will use a range of innovative learning techniques to develop delegates’ understanding of permaculture principles, ethics, and design methodology, as well as finding out about real life applications from here and around the world.

Following the Design School, Convergence21 is a gathering of permaculture activists from around the country. The programme includes time for workshops, informal learning, networking, fun and celebration. Both events will be held at Braziers Park, a pioneering learning centre and community in Oxfordshire.

Steve Charter, a spokesperson for the Permaculture Association said, “in all my years of work on sustainability issues – which spans all sectors - permaculture is the single most useful thing I've come across for getting to grips with sustainability issues. Permaculture gives people both hope and practical tools to find the first steps toward a positive and realistic vision of the future; a vision which is so hard to find elsewhere. The NetTogether is about celebrating past achievements, learning from them and coming together to design and create the kind of sustainable and inclusive world we want to live in”.


For ticket prices, booking forms and information on how permaculture is tackling some of the most pressing issues of our time contact the Permaculture Association.