An Agostinian school network commissioned us to develop an educational centre based on Pope Francis’s notion of Integral Ecology. Along with my wife, Fernanda, drew on our experience at Schumacher College to envisage a centre based around embodied and relational practices with nature that could inform food systems, land management, philosophy, and social equality. Mapping key organisations and actors with Kumu helped us build our network.

We invited local actors involved in environmental pedagogy, facilitation, nature-connection, and social issues to co construct an onsite day of action and reflection. This informed a broader pilot course program, with weeks and weekends on Art of Hosting, Gaia Education, Forest School, Natural Pharmaceuticals, and the philosophy of Pope Francis in Laudato Si.

The pilots were a success, supporting refinement of organisational structures and protocols. The centre was hit by the pandemic. Yet despite the challenges, the centre reopened and continues to offer transformative experiences to school pupils and course participants in Mario Campos, Brazil.