Contents for Global Trends - Local Choices
Followup – Workshop/Presentation with Jan
Contents
1] Topics and issues Jan can address for a follow up presentation to Global Trends - Local Choices
2] Cost and arrangementss
3] Biography and credits
Ideally, presentations would be the day following the GT - LT showing and can be arranged at the same time as the presentation. The presentation would be in a format combining slides, talk and interaction. Punch here for a presentation outline.
The overall topic is Global Trends - Local Choices. How we can go from where we are now towards a more peaceful and healthy future.
This is a topic with many tangents and Jan can speak to a very interesting selection of them from his own experience and interests. All of these tangents converge on making changes in our own lives and communities. Those sponsoring the presentation can suggest points to focus on, see the “menu” below.
Topics of Interest/Menu
* Jan's nine year old suburban property conversion project is a great way to show both what a suburban property can be but also how those design changes relate to a broader set of issues including eco culture change, voluntary downsizing, economics, human potential, global relations and the environment. This topic is of particular interest to permaculture enthusiasts and neighborhood activists.
* Central to Jan's approach is the belief in holistic analysis and action. In permaculture there are three concepts that fit well here, Stacking - smart strategies contribute to multiple benefits, key leverage point - smart strategies can mitigate multiple challenges and Point of Departure – Moving in the right direction from the start can increase the liklihood of positive/successful outcomes.
* Urban land use. The history of suburbia – how did this land use form come about and how does it fit so well into market capitalism and what are examples of its many external costs? What is Block Planning and how can smart land use redesign benefit the local economy, community cohesion and eco culture change? Reclaiming automobile space is another fascinating exploration. Urban land use is of particular interest to architects, urban planners, builders, university classes in urban studies, sociology, environmental studies, business.
* Jan places a great deal of emphasis on culture. Who defines culture and why? What comes first – beliefs or culture? What are the mythologies we have grown up with that shape not only our culture but by extension - how we think and behave. Recoginzing those mythologies and casting them aside is a vital part of redefining our own values, ideals and goals for a more peaceful and healthy world. This topic fits best in the realm of sociology and theology..
* Neighborhoods are another primary topic. Jan has been a board member of his neighborhood organization for 9 years and is active with several city wide neighborhood committees. Many cities have neighborhood programs and they offer immense opportunities for greening our communities. Another fascinating neighborhood topic is the idea of cross fertilizing Neighborhood Watch, Emergency Preparedness and Permaculture. Starting with turning front yards into gardens, what are some of the great benefits. This topic relates to sociolgy, community affairs, city neighborhood programs, neighborhood activism.
* Human potential is a primary element of meeting a very different future. How can we “step it up?” What do we have for role models? This topic will be particularly interesting to humanists and enthusists of human potential.
* Jan has a great interest in social movements. What lessons can we learn from historical social movements for being more effective in bringing about positive change? Why did social upheavel in places like Poland/Solidarity and Iran/remove the Shah, fall short? This topic fits well into history and sociology and has important lessons for the present.
* Items in the news. Jan is a devoted reader of the New York Times and enjoys putting selected news stories into a dark humor sort of context. This takes on a flavor of stand up comedy and would be of particular interest to enthusiasts of contemporary culture and current events.
* Finally, Jan is writing a novel about Eugene, Oregon, 2035. The novel is not yet finished but there are seven chapters on his website [link http://www.suburbanpermaculture.org/story/contents.htm] These story creates a vivid image of what life could be like 15 years into a recovery from profound economic and social break down. The story can be a point of departure for many tangents of discussion. This topic would be of interest to social and eco futurists and present day activists.
Arrangements With Jan
To schedule a half day - four hour[suggested with breaks included] presentation, please contact Jan. The cost would be $400, less DVD sales. You may plan for as many participants as you like and charge admission
The site should be appropriate for the purpose. Ideally with natural light, fresh air, comfortable for participants.
If the presentation requires Jan to stay the night, accomodation will be provided in a quiet and comfortable place. Perhaps a private home, guest house, bed and breakfast, motel. Meals will be provided for the stay as agreed. Meals should be healthy, fresh, vegetarian, organic as possible.
Jan is open to discussing participation in conferences, retreats and special occasions.
Note: Universities, local natural food stores, organic and civic inclined businesses could be places to help underwrite the cost and help promote a presentation. Co hosting with other organizations can help share the costs. Admission for Jan's presentation can be charged as well.
Jan's Bio and Credits
Jan has lived in New York, Texas, Arkansas and Oregon. He has travelled out of a back pack to over 35 countries over 5 years on four continents. Highlights of his life include living two years in a rural commune in the Arkansas Ozarks, backpacking in the Ruwenzori Mountains of western Uganda, surfing at Raglan, New Zealand, painting adventures by bike in Italy and his current suburban permaculture project in Eugene. Jan's interests include geography, global affairs and art. He is a self described weather and climate enthusiast.
Urban land use, economics, permaculture, human potential, spirituality, global relations and the environment combine for a unique fusion of Jan's interest. His presentations are upbeat, positive and entertaining including elements of scholar, social critic and stand up comedian.
Jan has made presentations in numerous towns in Oregon, Washington State, the Bay Area, Austin, Texas and Eugene. Venues and hosts have included neighborhood meetings, civic organizations, churches, Grange Halls and conferences such as the Eco City World Summit, Bioneers, Environmental Law Conference and National Co Housing Conference in Seattle.
Articles Jan has written have been featured in The Permaculture Activist, Talking Leaves, Architecture Week, Sentient Times and numerous guest opinions in the Eugene Register Guard. He has made radio interviews in Oregon, Washington State and Florida. He self published “Global Trends – Local Choices” and is working on a fiction novel Eugene – 2035.
Finally, Jan has become a pioneer and advocate for suburban property conversion. His ¼ acre site in Eugene, after ten years, convincingly shows what a suburban property can become. It features grass to garden, rain water catchment, reclaiming automobile space, passive solar re design, edible landscaping and much more. The implications of suburban property conversion are immense touching on economics, human potential, the environment and eco culture change.