Join me in conversation with Ego Lemos. Ego is an extraordinary permaculture change-maker from Timor Leste – a permaculture country. Hear about many of the inspiring programs he has helped launch in his country.
Traditionally, Timorese people lived the kind of life that permaculture is describing. However with colonisation, the Green Revolution and political upheaval, Timor Leste was devastated. The renewal programs focus on creating sustainable food systems and ensuring that children have not only the understanding, but know the value of sustainable agriculture.
Leading many of these programs of renewal is Ego. The conversation in this clip was recorded at the Australasian Permaculture Convergence in Canberra in April 2018.
Who is Ego Lemos?
This is Ego’s bio from the conference (impressive!!)
Ego Lemos works as the National Adviser on Curriculum Development for Basic Education on Arts & Culture and Permaculture School Gardens, for the Ministry of Education of Timor-Leste. He is also a lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture and Public Arts & Culture at the University of Timor-Leste. He has received several international awards for his national contribution to music, art & culture and community development.
Ego is the founder-coordinator of the Sustainable Agriculture Network and Organic Agriculture Movement in Timor-Leste. He is also the founder-coordinator of Permaculture Timor-Leste (PERMATIL). Also founder of PERMASCOUT and PERMA-YOUTH movements.
He co-authored ‘Permaculture Gardens for Kids’ produced by PERMATIL, and ‘A Tropical Permaculture Guidebook’. (NOTE: You can freely download all of the chapters of the International edition that are complete – but please donate generously if you can)
He is sole author of the ‘Training Manual for Agro-biodiversity in Timor-Leste (GIZ-AMBERO) and National Curriculum for Basic Education Grad 1 – 6 (Min of Edn).
Ego holds a Diploma of Permaculture Design (Permaculture Institute) and certificates in Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MDF Pacific-Indonesia Consultancy) and Integrating Nutrition in Primary Education Curriculum (FAO). His Ted Talk: Ego Lemos/TEDxDili ‘School Gardening to Tackle Malnutrition’ illustrates why embodying permaculture within the school curriculum is so important.
Thanks to Richard Telford of Abdallah House in Victoria (featured in David Holmgren’s Retrosuburbia) for stepping in to grab the camera.
Listen to the Audio recording:
Permaculture Educators’ Program
Have you ever wanted to be a permaculture teacher. Learn online at your own pace through the Permaculture Education Institute. To find out more, click the image.
