Let’s talk about Design and Social Justice. We know that design has the power to elevate everything it touches—from products, to systems, to spaces. But when it comes to our greatest challenges around economic equity, access, and inclusion, what roles does design play in advancing equitable communities? Can design catalyze positive change and lasting impact when it comes to solving real problems and human needs? Join us for a discussion focused on how design can support social progress and a just future for all.

They will observe, learn, and discuss the difference between Equality & Equity. They will explore their own agency, and how they can use data such as historical conflicts, to analyze a relevant equity issue, and communicate their findings. They will form this “issue analysis” (engaging in discourse and working in groups) to answer core questions important to their communities. The Design Thinking process involves using “manipulatives” (tangible objects) to make examples of ideas, sharing observations among groups, and also documenting observations/ideas in many different ways: sketches, photos, journaling, audio.

Friday Oct 6| 2pm| Bioregional Hub

Presented by Catherine Nkolo Lebongo

Catherine Nkolo Lebongo is a teacher, creative, and activist who is fascinated by how design and social enterprise have the power to elevate everything—from products, to systems, to spaces. As an international, multicultural, woman who studied system nuances and societal constructs, Nkolo teaches the principles of Design Thinking, and how to apply the human-centered design process with an equity mindset, to build the regenerative communities we hope to see in our lifetimes. Her personal mission is to live an abundant life saturated in bliss, gratitude, and learning while artfully weaving spiritual growth and conscious bionomics into the collective reality.

Design Thinking for Equitable Communities

Learn how herbal medicine is bringing the power of healing into the hands of the people and building culture in diverse social movements around the world, and gain hands-on experience with new herbal allies in this workshop.

Herbal medicine brings the power of healing into the hands of the people. Come learn how people around the world, from the MST in Brazil, to activists on the streets of Oakland, to the guardians at Standing Rock, have been using herbal medicine to nourish, heal, and strengthen our social movements. Participants will gain a deeper appreciation of women’s role in working with these plant allies, and of the historic, mythic and magical elements of folk herbalism. The facilitators will share introductions to some of our favorite herbs for healing and protection, as well as offer participants hands-on experiences building a relationship with these allies and making medicine.

We are three young permaculturists, farmers, activists, and herbal medicine students. We will weave stories from our diverse experiences with social movements around the world and empower participants to strengthen themselves and their communities using the powerful and accessible tools of herbal medicine. None of us are clinical herbalists but we have a passion for healing and would like to share an inspiring context to understand herbal medicine, and community-care, as a vital part of today’s social movements. We will use an interactive format that allows for participants to share their experiences throughout, as well as a chance for all participants to connect to selected plant allies through short powerful plant meditations and a hands-on medicine making portion of the workshop.

Presented by Mallika Nair

The People’s Medicine: Herbal Allies for Social Movements

Join us for a highly interactive introduction to NVC and explore more efficient collaboration strategies.

We are creating a world where everyone’s needs matter and people have the skills to make peace. Awaken greater self-compassion, create opportunities for choice, and experience more satisfying relationships with Nonviolent Communication. Join us for an introduction to NVC and explore more efficient collaboration strategies. Specifically, we plan to explore: -Use conflict as an opportunity for generative outcomes -Identify shared purpose and values -Emphasize connection, first, last and always Workshops are highly interactive, and focused on practices that can be put to use immediately.

Offering an interactive workshop on NVC through the focus of collaboration. The intention of this workshop is skill-building to bring people together in alignment with shared purpose and values, and create opportunities for generative outcomes beyond what we can do alone.

Saturday Oct 7| 3:30pm| Willow Grove

Workshop given by Margo Dunlap

How to design high tech and low tech greywater systems, new technologies allowing for integrated control and management systems for greywater, rainwater and freshwater irrigation. High efficiency greywater systems as a game changer for widespread adoption of greywater irrigation as a core element of green infrastructure. Training new greywater professionals in this rapidly growing sector of water conservation technology.

Greywater systems are a highly practical, multilaterally beneficial pillar of the broad spectrum permaculture design palette. Participants will learn both the unique underlying design considerations and constraints of greywater systems as well as specific technical aspects of the most common traditional and new cutting greywater system designs. The presentation will use several hands-on assemblies of greywater components for demonstration and hands-on experience for classmates.

Saturday, Oct 7| 2pm| Zocalo

Presented by Chris Reamer

Saturday,Oct 7| 2pm| Zocalo

High efficiency greywater systems as a game changer for widespread adoption