Strengthen communities. Drive lasting change.
Strengthen communities. Drive lasting change.
Learn to build resilient, inclusive, and thriving social systems in the communities you are part of.
Empower communities for a sustainable future.
The Social Dimension course provides you with the skills to foster collaboration, deal with conflicts, and inspire collective action. Learn to create/facilitate inclusive spaces and meaningful connections to drive sustainable systems at the local and global levels.
Key Skills
Navigate different group dynamics and decision-making processess.
Deal with conflicts with a holistic perspective.
Create shared visions for collective projects.
Build resilient social systems.
In the Social dimension we will address the following questions:
What is the vision that will support projects to be coherent and inspiring?
How will decisions be made and conflicts resolved?
How will we walk that delicate line between being an individual and growing our personal empowerment, while being part of a collective endeavour?
How will we celebrate our diversity in a just and inclusive manner when we are challenged by our differences?
What will we do to reconnect with the creative source in the web of life and bring a sense of beauty and artistic craftsmanship to everything we do?
How will our group, organisation, project or community reach out to other local and bioregional communities, to build bridges and facilitate learning from each other and more effective collaboration towards shared goals?
From Classroom to Community real results
In this online course, you will gain the understanding and skills to become a confident changemaker in social issues of sustainability.
The aim of this programme is to give you a better understanding of the true meaning of social equity and participatory action and to enable participants to apply transformative tools that align us with more resilient social systems. Our relationship with others is too dear to let it default to old domineering paradigms.
After completing this course, you will have learned practical and effective ways to create the change we all seek. Our distinct programme is your chance to learn about the different ways to participate in this (r)evolutionary shift in paradigms.
H3 Loren Ipsum Dolor
In this online course, you will gain the understanding and skills to become a confident changemaker in social issues of sustainability.
The Social Dimension in Gaia’s 4D Framework.
The Social Dimension is a core part of the 4D Framework, integrating social systems with ecological, economic, and worldview principles for lasting and healthy systems.
Strengthen collaboration and community bonds.
Restore and regenerate natural systems.
Foster equitable, resilient economies.
Shift mindsets for a sustainable future.
Course details
Course format:
Online, flexible modules
Price:
1500 GBP (save 260 GBP by purchasing the full GEDS)
Duration:
14 months (with breaks in between)
Workload:
Approximately 80 hours per Dimension - 400h total
Structure:
Four Dimensions plus the integration/practicum phase, called the Design Studio (add link here)
Facilitation:
Led by experts in each Dimension
Certificate:
Recognised certificate upon completion of the full course
Designed for changemakers interested in:
Community leaders and organisers. /Anyone who work with or lead groups/communities.
Educators and facilitators inspiring sustainable practices.
Business innovators integrating sustainability into their projects / work.
Policy makers designing systems for resilience.
Individuals passionate about driving meaningful change.
People who wish to align their actions with a new regenerative lifestyle.
Explore transformative tools and practices.
The Social Dimension is one part of Gaia's unique 4D Model, which integrates social, ecological, economic and worldview dimensions to create lasting change.
Bulding Community and Embracing Diversity
Learn the fundamentals of community building and the value of diversity.
Communication Skills and Decision Making
Develop compassionate communication techniques and collaborative decision-making processes.
Leadership and Empowerment
Explore leadership styles that promote shared responsibility and inclusivity.
Art, Ritual and Social Transformation
Understand the role of art and ritual/celebration in fostering social change.
Education, Social Networks and Activism
Examine the impact of education and social networks on activism and community engagement.
Guided by experts in social transformation.
Our facilitators are experienced changemakers with a passion for building cohesive, sustainable communities. They bring global insights and practical tools to your learning journey.
Root Cuthbertson
Growing up between Montreal, New Hampshire, and Boston, Root learned to love dancing, music, poetry, public libraries, matching needs with resources, monofloral honeys, generously inclusive humor, and stories about healing and hope. As an undergraduate at Oberlin College he studied social change movements, comparative religion, and practiced consensus with groups of over 100 at housing and dining co-operatives. He has lived and worked at ecovillages and sustainability projects like Lost Valley Education Center, Pachamama, Wind Spirit, D Acres permaculture farm, and Rowe Camp and Conference Center. He holds an M.A. in Environmental Education, and is a former curriculum designer for Global Ecovillage Network, Findhorn College, and The Newbold Trust. He is a certified trainer in Gaia Education eco-social design, has studied sociocracy with John Buck, and has co-led courses on regenerative cultures and cultural mentoring at Schumacher College, in Spain, and in Thailand. Since 2017, he has staffed the adult program at the Vermont Art of Mentoring camp, and is part of several teams offering weekend programs introducing 8 Shields and social change practices. He co-ordinates the 8 Shields Institute online courses: “Introduction to Regenerative Community Building,” “Designing for Peace,” and "Pathways to Village Building." With Jon Young and his wife Deborah Benham, he is currently co-authoring a new book on regenerative community design.
Beth Remmes
Facilitator for The Work That Reconnects, leader of the Earth Care Team at Unity Atlanta, a member of the Unity Worldwide Ministry Earth Care Team, is on the Board of Directors for Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, and co-founder of The Four Directions Fund.
Beth grew up on the ancestral lands of the Haudenosaunee people in upstate New York. Childhood experiences in nature camp and school exposed her to the indigenous wisdom of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy which resonated deeply with her and planted the seeds for a future that would become dedicated to helping to create a life-sustaining society.
Drawn to deep ecology, indigenous wisdom, environmental and social justice, nature connection, systems theory, biomimicry, permaculture, sustainability, herbalism, earth skills, yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and spirituality, Beth’s workshops burgeon with possibilities. Her natural curiosity, optimism, and years spent as a youth sports coach, combine to make Beth’s facilitation style encouraging and inspirational.
Especially motivated by her children, step-grandchildren, and all of the future generations, Beth is devoted to helping create a more sustainable, just and peaceful world where all beings can thrive.
Hear from our alumni.
The course content was very comprehensive, detailed and practical. I appreciated how the facilitators brought a focus on real-world applications from the very beginning. They both modelled the principles of harmonious and supportive group-working that we were learning.
N. B.
Have questions? We’ve got answers.
Do I need prior experience in social design?
No prior experience is required. An interest in sustainability and community building is beneficial.
How is this course delivered?
It’s delivered online with weekly live sessions for interaction and collaboration.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes, upon successful completion, you’ll receive a certificate from Gaia Education.
What if I have limited time?
The course is designed for flexibility, requirig around 10 hours per week.
Have questions? We’ve got answers.
No previous experience is required. All you need is a passion for community building and collaboration.
The course is designed to fit busy schedules with around 10 hours per week of flexible study. Though highly encouraged, Live Sessions are not mandatory and are recorded to be watched later.
Yes! The course provides hands-on tools you can apply immediately in your community.
Have questions? We’ve got answers.
No previous experience is required. All you need is a passion for community building and collaboration.
The course is designed to fit busy schedules with around 10 hours per week of flexible study. Though highly encouraged, Live Sessions are not mandatory and are recorded to be watched later.
Yes! The course provides hands-on tools you can apply immediately in your community.
No previous experience is required. All you need is a passion for community building and collaboration.
The course is designed to fit busy schedules with around 10 hours per week of flexible study. Though highly encouraged, Live Sessions are not mandatory and are recorded to be watched later.
Yes! The course provides hands-on tools you can apply immediately in your community.
Join a Movement for Social Transformation.
Be part of a global effort to strengthen communities and drive sustainable change. Start your journey today!