Three African states to co-host international permaculture meeting in 2009

by Chido Makunike

Three African countries are to share the hosting duties of the ninth International Permaculture Convergence (IPC), to be held in 2009. Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe will each be the venue of a different part of the biennial series of events.

Designed as an international forum for permaculturists to gather and share their experiences on this system of sustainable agriculture, since the early 1980s IPCs have variously been held in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Nepal, Scandinavia, and Croatia. IPC8 events were this year held in Brazil, between mid May and early June, and attended by close to 600 delegates from across the world. It was there that the decision to have IPC in Africa for the first time was made.

According to the IPC8 official report, each IPC consists of four separate events: a permaculture conference open to the general public; a convergence for practising permaculturalists; a design course and a site tour. The three IPC9 hosting countries will divide up these events amongst themselves, with each of them expected to do their own fund-raising for most of the events to be held in their respective territories.

The working theme for the 2009 Africa meeting is "Permaculture for improved and sustainable livelihoods," with a number of related sub-themes. Planning for the event is already underway and an IPC9 official said the dates will soon be announced, with other details to be rolled out as the event draws near.

African Agriculture