Global Citizenship and EquityLearning Experience

Cuba 2012

Our Centennial College Team

Our Permaculture ConsultantRon Berezan

The Urban Farmer http://theurbanfarmer.ca/

Our Journey

• We left Toronto on April 26 and returned May 9, 2012

• We were welcomed to Cuba by Nacyra Gomez Crus and the Reverend Dr Sergio Aree Martinez, director of the Centre of Social and Educational Services - CESERSE

• Our home base – Casa Del Carino , VaraderoLoving Care Home

What is Permaculture?

Permaculture is a sustainable and environmental friendly approach to food production.Cuba has embraced sustainable food production since 1991 during The Special Period.

What is Permaculture?

3 Main Principles of Permaculture: Care for the Earth Care for the People Share the Surplus

What did we do?We had an active and intense program of

Permaculture orientations, site visits, workshops, dialogues, agricultural project work,

cultural activities and leisure.

Where did we go?

We visited farms in Varadero, Mantanzas and Havana.We visited:

Experimental farmsResearch farmsEducational farmsRestored community gardensBackyard gardensCoop farmsAll based on Permaculture.

We learned about.

• Cuban government support for Permaculture – Antonio Nunez Jimenez Foundation for Nature and Humanity

• The history and struggle of Cuba and the Cuban people.

• Cuban socio-political, economic and socialism• Reflection and sharing circles• Global Citizenship and Equity

May 1,2012International Workers' Day (also known as May Day) is a celebration of the international labour movement. This day is known as (el día del trabajo) in Cuba. People march in the streets showing their support to their local socialist government and the revolution during the whole morning. We marched alongside over one million Cubans on this day.

What did we do in Cuba?

• Visited urban farms• Lectures and presentations on Cuban

Permaculture• Experiential Learning• Cuban Cultural Activities• Living and Learning• Leisure

Cultural Activities

• Provincial Baseball Game• Caving – Cuevas• Historical tour of Mantanzas• Tour of Old Havana• Tour of Fort Havana• Snorkeling• A bit of swimming

Field Work• Jardines Bellamar• An 8 year project to create a 30 acre

sustainable farm using permaculture techniques for the local community.

Field Work

We worked hard: Cleared the land Mulched the trees and vegetables Helped to construct the community centre and

library. Constructed concrete composting toilets for the

community. Cleared garbage to create a community park Created a living fence

Learning

• Daily circles of reflection• Daily group learning and working• Immersion in Cuban culture, agriculture and

daily life• A different way to think about material

consumption, sustainability, socialism and people learning from and helping each other.

What we took home from this experience.

GCELE Blog Entry

GCELE 2012 Video

Questions? pfranc15@my.centennialcollege.ca

Visit the Global Citizenship & Equity office today!