Permaculture Teaching in Brazil: the role of Permaculture Design Courses (PDCs) and the contributions of Critical Environmental Education

Abstract:

Permaculture is a movement that seeks to plan, create and maintain sustainable human settlements and that has been especially promoted by Permaculture Design Courses (PDCs). In this article, following the analysis of a questionnaire, we present the distribution of these courses in Brazil and discuss the teaching of permaculture and its interactions with critical environmental education. Based on the answers provided by PDC educators, we analyze the courses with regard to content, fees, and the profile of educators. We have found 38 groups that offer PDCs and 210 PDC educators in Brazil, and the data have enabled us to analyze the profile of PDC educators regarding gender, race/ethnicity and income (social class). We have also been able to discuss the objectives in the PDCs, and the popularization of permaculture. The analysis indicates that permaculture teaching in Brazil is a field of dispute with heterogeneous and contradictory actions.

Keywords:
Permaculture; Environmental education; Socio-environmental agriculture; Sustainable society