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Connecting, sharing & collaborating
First Gaia U International Gather-In
 Gaia University associates (students), advisors, graduates, and regional organizers from 3 continents and 10 countries converged at Huehuecoyotl Ecovillage in Mexico recently for the first Gaia University International Gather-In. This diverse group, ages 21 to 63, met together to cross-pollinate, council, and create an action-vision of Gaia University for the coming decade.
The work meeting had quite specific tasks as its intended outcomes, including the creation of this newsletter, the re-organization of the E-learning site as well as the formation of project proposals focused on the creation of a Commons to replace the current organizational structure, the production of operations handbooks for associates, advisors and Regional Organizing Groups, development of an expanded marketing plan, and design of a Trading Exchange System.
 As the co-creative designs churned, the walls of the beautiful communal center at Huehuecoyotyl filled with muti-colored notes, poster boards, and mind maps, including a giant vision board of Gaia University in 2014. Updates on finances, enrollment, marketing, accreditation, costing templates and upcoming changes in the Masters learning design were shared. With the group sights set on the next decade, with heads, hearts, and hands integrated, we crafted the visions, strategies, budgets, timelines and next achievable steps to move the projects forward.
The pioneering work and long days were also interspersed with plenty of time for song, dance and play including somatic awareness and “Bodyversity” activities led by Nala Walla, hikes in the surrounding mountains, visits to the local town and nearby pyramid, salsa dancing, a sweat lodge, late night flamenco music, chocolate-making, and wonderful meals.
 Graduate presentations were made by Ian Nigh, live via Skype from Australia, and Mana Vermuelen detailing their transformative action learning research on living roofs, bamboo bike construction, international eco-social design consultancy, and ecovillage economics and the feminine perspective. A graduation ceremony for these associates as well as Becky Nathan of the UK and Brazil reminded us all of the power of Gaia U's action learning in the formation of powerful leaders in world change.
The first Gaia University International Gather-In was a wonderful and heartfelt success, one whose ripples will be felt and remembered for years to come. May the seeds sown at this historic convergence grow into a forest that can nourish the works of our collective visions.
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Events & Workshops 
