PURPOSE

The Canadian Earth Institute offers seven discussion courses which the Northwest Earth Institute has produced: Choices for Sustainable Living, Voluntary Simplicity, Discovering a Sense of Place, Exploring Deep Ecology, Globalization and its Critics, and Healthy Children, Healthy Planet and Global Warming: Changing CO₂urse.

These programs emphasize individual responsibility, the importance of a supportive community, and the dual need to walk lightly on and to take action for the earth.

Key Principles and Mission

CEI/NWEI programs encourage participants to explore their values, attitudes, and actions through discussion with other people. These programs are organized around three key principles:

An earth-centered ethic promoting individual responsibility for the earth.
The practice of engaged simplicity to enrich life and reduce personal impact on the earth.
A dedication to living fully in place and protecting the unique bioregion in which you live.

Founded in 1993 by long-time activists Jeanne and Dick Roy, NWEI initially brought a single course, Exploring Deep Ecology, into mainstream workplaces to engage people in earth-centered conversation. Today, NWEI and CEI volunteers offer a variety of programs in workplaces at noon, and in homes, centers of faith, neighborhoods, and other places where groups of 8 to 12 can meet.

To underscore the powerful effect of personal change, NWEI and CEI took the following mission:

Motivating individuals

to examine and transform personal values and habits,

to accept responsibility for the earth, and

to act on that commitment

A Process That Fosters Change

NWEI has developed innovative programs in Portland, transported them to Northwest communities where they are offered through chapters or local volunteer groups, and replicated them in other regions through autonomous groups. CEI has become the first international representative for the discussion courses allowing them to be offered across Canada.

In the U.S., courses have been offered by local organizers in more than 500 communities in all 50 states. As of September 2007, total enrollment in the discussion courses exceeded 80,000. These courses have been offered in hundreds of businesses and organizations. NWEI’s work has been featured in two PBS documentaries, Affluenza and Escape from Affluenza, as well as a National Public Radio series, Deep Ecology for the 21st Century.

NWEI allowed the courses to be tested in Victoria, B.C. with over 1000 participants. CEI was formed in 2003 to gain Canadian copyright and publication of the study guides for national use.

For a detailed history of the Canadian Earth Institute and the North West Earth Institute, click here.

TOP

The Canadian Earth Institute supports the commitment of individuals who seek to protect the earth.

389 Atkins Avenue, Victoria, B.C. V9B 3A1 250.727.9163 Email

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