In 2004 CERES started a new initiative called CERES Global.
CERES Global aims to create an international network of sustainable communities by :
* Fostering community to community connections
* Working with international groups towards Global equity and sustainability
* Sharing skills and knowledge
Over the past 4 years CERES Global has cultivated relationships with urban and rural NGO’s and communities in South Asia; India, Indonesia and East Timor, to date. Our aim is to support their work, to learn from them and to engage with them in implementing sustainable practices toward ameliorating the effects of climate change. To date CERES has worked with local partner organisations on projects including environmental education, organic agriculture, solar energy, revegetation, and water management as well as working with women’s groups, tribal groups and remote marginal communities on health, education and income generation projects.
From the villages of desert Rajasthan to the hill-tribes people of Uttaranchal people tell us that the weather is less predictable; there is less rain, crops become less reliable, the distances people have to walk to collect water each day are longer. Climate change is a lived reality for the worlds’ farmers and those whose living is based on their local environment, as it erodes the quality of the natural resource base, it reinforces conditions of poverty.
People who are most directly dependent on goods and services from ecosystems, either as a primary or supplementary source of food, fodder, building materials, and fuel are also most often those with the smallest ecological footprint. People in villages with no electricity are paying for global climate changes caused by the carbon intense lifestyle of people like us in Australia.
Yet rural communities all over the world are responding with determination and creativity to these local environmental crises. Through CERES Global we endeavour to bring back traditional knowledge and new innovations in sustainable practices emerging from these communities, as well as support this work and share our own experiences of innovation for sustainability. |
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CERES Global Cultural Exchange Program
CERES is planning for another journey to India, departing in December this year.
TRAVEL TO INDIA with CERES
December 2008-January 2009
This is a great opportunity to learn about community development, travel with purpose; beyound the tourist trail to remote and beautiufl places; to connect and contribute.
NTERESTED?
BOOKINGS ARE LIMITED
JOIN US FOR DAHL AND MORE INFO in a series of information evenings
AT CERES VISITOR CENTRE
WED 13th , THURS 21st and WED 27th AUGUST 6-8pm
Option A : Pitchandikulum
Tamil Nadu– The Tropical South December 22-Jan 4
Living in the 70 acre tropical forest sanctuary of Pitchandikulum, this option offers an opportunity to become involved in skill-sharing and cultural exchange activities in surrounding villages. www.auroville.org/environment/pitchandikulam.htm
Option B : Pal
Pal-Village Stay Jan 5-Jan 18
CERES has been connected with the remote village of Pal, on the Maharastra and Madhya Pradesh border, for over 20 years. Pal and the surrounding area are populated by three different tribal groups; the Banjara, Powarah and Tadavi. This is an opportunity to interact with tribal communities and work with a Gandhian inspired organisation which has worked in the area for over 30 years.
Option C : Almora
Nestled in the shadow of the Himalayas Jan 5-Jan 18
This trip includes a 2 day trek to a remote mountain village and offers the opportunity to meet and work with grassroots environmental and social justice organisations in Northern State of Uttaranchal, Uttarakhand Environmental Education Centre. www.ueec.org.in
Option D : Rajasthan
Desert tribes Jan 19-Feb 1
The tribal villages of the Rajasthani desert are drawing on traditional water harvesting methods to address diminishing water supplies. We visit inspiring water harvesting, remote solar and income generation projects.
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Dates: 22 December 2008 — 1 February 2009
Price* - Trip Costs for each two week component of the trip are:
| Pitchandikulum |
$1,600 |
| Pal |
$1,600 |
| Almora |
$1,900 |
| Rajasthan |
$1,900 |
Includes: All food, accommodation, internal transport, activities and permits, local staff costs, donation to the community projects, carbon offsets for flights.
Exclusions: Visa, personal gear and clothing, inoculations, passports, international flights and taxes, personal travel insurance.
Flight costs: Group Flights Departing Melbourne approx. $2150 pp including taxes (Flight prices quoted are based on group bookings as at 7/08)
CERES will support participants with all the information they need including; what to bring, inoculations, culture & climate, etc.
Can’t afford it? We can support you to gain sponsorship or give you ideas for fundraising.
Join CERES for this unique experience of village life in India and work with us as we support inspiring environmental NGOs across India, from the deserts of Rajasthan to the stunning foothills of the Himalayas.
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