The Peoples' Institute for Re-thinking Education and Development
The Learning Cities UnConference seeks to bring together all kinds of people who are resisting monoculture of the mind and co-creating diverse learning communities, regenerative learning spaces, creative un/learning processes, etc. for new models of happiness, well-being, decolonisation and swaraj. The 'unconference' format was initiated by Shikshantar Andolan and many radical friends all around India in 2002. Its deepest intent is as a meeting of hearts, deepening the spirit of friendship, maitri, and co-creation and shifting from a schooling society to a learning society.
We believe in many streaming, not mainstreaming. We are inviting different alternative streams to come together in the spirit of co-creation: holistic educators, homeschoolers, unschoolers, worldschoolers, cultural creatives, artists, upcyclers, designers, activists, healers, chefs, organic farmers, eco-architects, spiritual explorers, giftivists and community-builders, filmmakers, grandmothers, social entrepreneurs, ecologists, nature lovers, crazy walkouts, etc. You will find the most inspiring people and experiments in the world for re-imagining education here.
The Learning Cities UnConference is entirely organized in the spirit of gift culture. We feel everyone is a volunteer, a learner, a teacher, a co-creator with many gifts to share to help build the larger community ecosystem. The 'agenda' is emergent and self-organizing. We are all co-creators of the program. You can host workshops, host circles, host stalls, give speeches, sing, dance, play games, offer and share your knowledge, experiences and questions. There will be a Millet Food Festival, Music Festival, Cooperative Games Festival, Nai Taleem Film Festival and much, much more.
To get a better sense about this one-of-a-kind event, read - LSUC2017 Love Letters and LSUC2020 Love Letters
Also have a look at - What is an UNconference?
If you are still confused about what it is all about, that's okay. Just breathe... Be open to being surprised... Or search for the secret clues by talking to people who have attended in the past.
The suggested contribution for the residential event is Rs7000 per person (inclusive for registration, food and accommodation) and Rs4000 for kids under age 16. If you have children under age 5, you can pay what you would like from your heart. For a family of 4, the suggested contribution is Rs20,000. We would greatly appreciate it if you can give more to sponsor others participation as part of our Diversity Fund. Your generosity helps make LSUC truly inclusive. Lack of money should not deter you from attending or from full participation. If you need support, you can avail of partial scholarships for the event.
LSuC is a residential inter-generational learning space. This comes with a unique responsibility. Children will be an active part of the gathering and we would like to make this space respectful and safe for them as well. With this in mind, there is a strict no drug, alcohol and smoking policy at the event for the safety/comfort of all participants - anyone found having any drugs or alcohol at the venue will be asked to immediately leave. Don't worry, we are committed to experimenting with how to reclaim a natural high in life based on deeper sense of meaning and connection.
CLICK TO REGISTER AND CONFIRM YOUR PLACE HERE... THIS IS RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM. THE EVENT WILL BEGIN ON THE MORNING OF JANUARY 7th@11AM AND CLOSE ON THE EVENING OF JANUARY 10 @6PM. You must register online in advance. There will be no registration at the venue. If you can only come on one day (with no accomodation will be provided), we suggest you join for the Open House day on January 9th.
We encourage you to start organizing your travel so that you can journey together in a caravan from your place. Also make sure to wear yellow as your travel so you can spot other participants on way. The magic of the unconference starts as soon you leave your home...
CO-HOSTED BY:
Shikshantar Andolan · Bennett University · Ecoversities Alliance · Indian Multiversities Alliance · Vikalp Sangam · Farmversities Alliance · Indian Homeschoolers · Swaraj University · Vimukt Shiksha Yatra · Creativity Adda · Game-a-thon · Digital Empowerment Foundation · Goonj · Banyan Tree Bookstore · The MoveVent Project · Creative Movement Therapy Association of India · Design for Change · Digikargha · My Perch · Pravah · Manzil · CreateNet · Project Saamya · Karm Marg · Dawn Child Foundation · Lighthouse Project · Gandhi Smarak Nidhi (Central) Rajghat · Slam Out Loud · Prakriti School
ABOUT THE HOST VENUE:
With a focus on holistic development, Bennett University, established by The Times Group, offers a vibrant campus featuring a state-of-the-art sports complex, skill-enhancing student clubs, Centres of Excellence. The campus will offer clean, simple, shared housing and local vegetarian/vegan food for the gathering.
Accommodation Details:
- Shared dormitory-style accommodation will be available on-site.
- If you prefer more privacy, there are hotels and guest houses nearby where you can make personal bookings.
We are requesting that you stay for a minimum of 3 days - anything less means that you will miss out on too much and you will not be able to contribute much to co-creating the unconference process/energy. We will not accept any residential participants who are coming for only 1 or 2 days. If you can only come on one day (with no accomodation will be provided), we suggest you join in the daytime hours for the Open House day on January 9th.
HOW TO GET THERE?:
To reach by metro, take the Aqua Line (Noida-Greater Noida) to the Delta 1 Metro Station, which is the closest station to the campus. From there, it's a short drive or a longer walk to the university.
Distance from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi to Bennett University is around 60 Kms
Local Cab Services: Ola, Uber, Rapido.
MORE QUESTIONS?:
For any inquiries, participation, or hosting a session, please reach out to:
Ashish Tiwari, Shikshantar – +91 98995 38994
Let us come together to reclaim our imaginations, reclaim our communities, and reclaim our power to shape the world we want to live in. Learning is life and life is learning.
