From Ubuntu to Kapwa

From Ubuntu to Kapwa, Developing a Deep Design Approach to Conscious Food Systems at the Edges

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From Ubuntu to Kapwa, Developing a Deep Design Approach to Conscious Food Systems at the Edges” is an initiative from Better World Cameroon in Cameroon, Living Story Landscapes in the Philippines, and Alianzas para la Abundancia in Colombia.

WHAT

The ‘From Ubuntu to Kapwa’ project, a South to South collaboration engaging regenerative food systems in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America is an action research to inclusively design a new framework and methodology for whole systems change in places where climate and conflict vulnerability co-exist.

Developing a “deep design approach from the edges,” drawing from its indigenous and local community knowledge, wisdom, systems and practices, the project envisions thriving conscious food systems that address socio-political, economic, and ecological challenges of climate and conflict vulnerable landscapes.

Employing conscious and transformative approaches to food production, consumption & trade are embedded in indigenous ways of knowing, relating and being is crucial to making the transition to regenerative food systems

WHY

Globally, there are over 370 million Indigenous Peoples and communities who live on about 24% of land worldwide, with 80% of the world’s biodiversity. There is a significant risk of a major global food crisis impacting 48 countries and killing >1 million people later this year, especially pregnant mothers and babies, and impoverishing 100 million. Being the world’s most vulnerable to climatic changes, ‘Global South’ nations are disproportionately affected. For the first time since 1816, global food production may well reach the point where famines can’t be relieved for adults.

We aim to bring out the important role of the cultural / worldview dimension of the Ecovillage Design Mandala – a design framework developed by the Global Ecovillage Network and Gaia Education. This Mandala is used and applied in Ecovillage Development Programs applied in policy building, climate adaptation, and economic development. The potential to localise its approach with value indigenous and local wisdom has not yet been harnessed.

HOW

It is in the spirit of “Ubuntu” and “Kapwa,” the African, African-Colombian, and Filipino worldview of the shared self that this action – research will be developed and led by members of the Global Ecovillage Network and Gaia Education using the ecovillage design education (EDE) model as a global learning framework and methodology used by an estimated 6000 organisations and ecovillages, projects, and its partners around the world.

“Culture” is currently considered a separate dimension creating a disconnect to the mental models that shape events that take place. Thus, there is a need for a deep design with its integration in social, economic, and ecological dimensions. Therefore we aim to develop valuation indicators and metrics to validate our framework and methodology drawn from the wisdom traditions through:

• Sustainable Landscapes
  • in Cameroon through rites of passage processes known as the spirit of Ndanifor in the production of High Value Agricultural Products;
  • in the Philippines integrated in permaculture projects in climate and conflict areas for food security
  • In Colombia, as core pillar in the gatherings and projects through ceremonies
• Food Systems Policy and Pathways
  • in the Philippines as a scaling lab for long term disaster recovery and mitigation
  • in Cameroon through a joint task force (tradition and government), and ICLEI partnership with 7 other African governments with NDC contributions (NDC)
• Supply Chain Transformation
  • In the Philippines through the integration of a biocultural heritage documentation as a participatory value chain tool with the Department of Trade and Industry.
  • In Cameroon through conscious cooperative values for social enterprises on national cocoa and coffee
  • In Colombia with the development of local markets and taking advantage of the community ecotourism

This would be drawing out the following approaches and others that may emerge:

• Indigenous and spiritual traditions that embody the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and cultural wisdom such as the “Rite of passage” in Africa, the “Tree ordination” in Southeast Asia, “Mother Earth recognition and give back ceremonies” and “Spiritual payment or Pagamentos” in Latin America, food offerings and blessings in multiple traditions, among others.
• Traditional/indigenous arts and rituals which embody the eco-centric worldview, deepen nature connection and deep sense of interconnectedness.
• Mindfulness-based process including contemplative practices, meditation, journaling, collective witnessing and self-cultivation.
• Awareness based facilitation and hosting practices such as Appreciative Inquiry, The Circle Way, Theory U, deep listening etc.

GOALS & JOURNEY OF UBUNTU TO KAPWA

In six months, our goal is the development of an enhanced ecovillage design framework and curriculum for conscious food systems integrating the indigenous and local wisdom and practices from the Global South.

We will follow a 65 stage learning journey inspired by indigenous research methods:

1. LISTENING: Responding to the call and gathering where the project is launched
2. HONOURING: Acknowledging and recognizing existing practices that integrate and apply indigenous and local wisdom to food systems
3. DREAMING: Developing a deep design framework and methodology
4. OFFERING: Sharing and testing the deep design framework and methodology
5. LEARNING: Harvesting inputs and revising the framework, methodology, and design curriculum
6. CELEBRATING: Looking back at our journey with gratitude and share it with others

We aim to:

1. work with 45 key food system stakeholders in 3 countries to document knowledge and practices on conscious approaches to food systems transformation through indigenous and local wisdom to develop:

• an exhibition of stories through art, media, and ritual,
• 3 case studies from 3 countries
• a deep design framework and methodology within the ecovillage design curriculum in designing regenerative food systems

1. test these practices with 10 organizations or initiatives in 3 regions as new learning platforms and materials for other countries of the regions involved and come up with

• an enhanced ecovillage design curriculum and training design that could be replicated across CoFSA partner hubs
• a guidance document with reflections and recommendations from the workshop participants
• additional case studies showcasing implementation of the approach after the project.

Ultimately, we aim to amplify the role of “culture and worldview” from indigenous and local wisdom applied to the following design dimensions enabling

• Social – inner capacities that influence leadership, conflict resolution, power dynamics and decision making, and mental health
• Economic – inner capacities that heal and re-assess true value and capital that would meet economic needs by
• Ecological – inner capacities that harness nature based solutions from a place of cooperation and kinship with nature

WHERE THE PROJECT IS BEING PILOTED

The project will be piloted in 3 projects in 3 countries (Cameroon, Philippines, and Colombia) where it aims to involve frontline food system actors such as farmers and fisherfolk, those who work with them directly or help enable mechanisms for addressing their challenges such as civil society organisations, local governments, and businesses. We would be engaging their indigenous and/or local wisdom bearers and scholars in collaboration with local research institutions and/or universities to help in knowledge management particularly the documentation and evaluation of the process and outputs.

• In Africa, in Cameroon through the work of Better World Cameroon where political insecurities and climatic changes have led to food aid-dependent communities and widened the social gap (GEN Africa)
• In Asia, in the Philippines through the work of Living Story Landscapes in collaboration with Green Releaf Initiative and its partners with ongoing loss and damage from its climate vulnerability and continued peacebuilding efforts after a newly established autonomous government born out of rebellion while recovering from ISIL affiliated attacks (GENOA)
• In Latin America, In Colombia through the work of Alianzas para la Abundancia and its Center for Training and Experimentation of sustainability “Ubuntu” in peacebuilding efforts and climate change impacts. (CASA Latina)

Project Events:

From Ubunto to Kapwa Harvesting Circle | March 20, 2024

Project Launch & Blessing | January 12, 2024