First Gaia University International Gather-In - March 7- 15, 2009, Huehuecoyotl Eco-Village, Tepoztlan, Mexico

From March 7-15, 2009, Gaia University associates, advisors, graduates, and regional organizers from 3 continents and 9 different countries converged at Huehuecoyotl Eco-Village in Mexico for the first Gaia University International Gather-In. Associates came in from the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Columbia, Germany, Austria, Holland, French Guinea, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to cross-pollinate, council, and create a vision of Gaia University for the next decade. Representatives from emerging Regional center came from Gaia U Deutschland, Gaia SEUS (South Eastern U.S. - TN) Gaia MARC (Mid-Atlantic U.S.), RDI (Regenerative Design Institute – CA, U.S.), Ashland, OR, as well as organizing guilds from Brazil and the US Virgin Islands.

Home to co-founders and co-presidents of Gaia University International Andy Langford and Liora Adler, Huehuecoyotl Eco-Village is situated in the mountains of Tepoztlan, Morelos - Mexico. Founded in 1982 by a group of artists and ecologists, Huehuecoyotl is home to about 20 residents, hosts educational and cultural programs throughout the year, and is known for its beautiful natural buildings and demonstration of permaculture and ecological techniques.

Gaia University associates were warmly received at the Eco-Village and dove right into an action-packed week of productive strategic planning, purpose, and play. Much of the focus of the Gather-in was on collaborative work using techniques such as Open Space, World Cafe, Small Group Discussions, and Collaborative Working Groups -– where the heart of the work was done.

Participants broke into smaller specific focused groups that met continuously throughout the duration of the gathering. The project groups consist of: Governance & Organizational Design, Accreditation, Gaia E-Learning Site Design, Manuals & Templates, Marketing, and Trading Exchange System. As the co-creative designs churned in organic evolution, the walls of the beautiful Temple at Huehuecoyotyl filled with muti-colored notes, poster boards, and mind maps. Including a giant vision board of Gaia University in 2014. With foresight on the next decade, associates from around the world pulled their heads, hearts, and hands together crafting the visions, strategies, and next achievable steps to move the projects forward. At the last day of the Gather-In, each project group presented the project development work to the larger group.

The Gather-In was balanced between smaller project group working sessions and larger group informational sessions such as a Financial Report from Kirsten Liegeman – the Director of Operations, updates on program developments, updates from developing Regional Centers, as well as leadership and project management training.

The pioneering work and long days were also interspersed with plenty of time for song, dance and play including somanit awareness and “Bodyversity” activities lead by Nala Wala, hikes in the beautiful surrounding mountains, visits to the local town and near by pyramid, salsa dancing, a sweat lodge, late night flamenco music, chocolate, and wonderful meals.

Graduate presentations were made by Ian via Skype from New Zealand, and Manna around their action-learning work in living roofs, bamboo bike construction, international eco-social design consultancy, and eco-village Psychology and the feminine perspective.

The first Gaia University International Gather-In was an amazing and heartfelt success. One whose ripples will be felt and remembered for years to come. It is our sincere wish that the seeds sown at this historic convergence may grow into a forest that can nourish the works of our collective visions.