PROUT
TRAINING
A Path of Hope and Vision
A Solution-Oriented Approach
to Social Change
Social Transformation Training
The PROUT Institute offers training for those wanting to nurture hope, vision, empowerment, and a solution-oriented approach during this important time of planetary transformation. The training presents a holistic and coherent paradigm of development that promotes sustainable lifestyle, global peace, bioregional planning, economic decentralization, cooperative enterprise, cultural empowerment, planetary integration, and more. Course content balances theory with practical application.
Training focuses on two themes: a durable value base for social living and an empowering paradigm of socioeconomic development. The value base is neohumanism, which extends humanism beyond human welfare to the welfare of all beings. Neohumanism gives importance to living sustainably, living lightly, and living harmoniously with the natural world. Practical approaches to neohumanistic living that are presented include permaculture, ecovillages, integrated urban conversion, full cost analysis, and green consumerism.
The socioeconomic paradigm is the Progressive Utilization Theory (PROUT), a synthetic social philosophy that is lauded by progressive thinkers. Important features of PROUT include: decentralized economics, bioregionalism, economic equity, cultural vitality, world government, cooperative enterprise, revitalization of democracy, deep ecology, guaranteed basic necessities, humanistic incentives, economic democracy, sustainable planning, and species rights. PROUT addresses the roots of global problems and offers practical approaches to balanced and equitable development.
Course Information and Content
There are two focuses to the training: first, presentation of a coherent and holistic theory of development; second, implementation of theory in a design project. Topics typically covered in the theory section of training include:
- Aspects of a Comprehensive Socioeconomic Theory
- A Perennial Value Base for Society
- Conditions for Social and Cultural Vitality
- Dynamics of Historical Change and Re-envisioning the Concept of Progress
- A New Paradigm of Governance
- Structure of a Humanistic Economy
- Economic Decentralization
- A Biocentric Ecological Philosophy
- Strategies for Building the New Society
The design project engages students in applying theory to a developmental problem. Design teams select a project topic, such as designing a sustainable local economy, or planning an agricultural cooperative. Support is provided to the design teams in collective process, whole system design methodology, and sustainable planning strategies.
Registration and Accommodations
Fees for the 10 day training (fees subject to change)
Registration: $200 out of town; $225 in town.
Lodging and food: $200
Alternative transportation discount: $5.00 deduction per day.
Work trade and fee reductions: Work exchange can be arranged. Fee reductions are available to those engaged in Prout Institute activity.
Food: Lunch will be provided to all participants, and full meals to those staying on-site. Meals will be vegetarian, with non-dairy options available.
Lodging: Accommodations are available for those needing lodging.
CONTACT US ABOUT UPCOMING TRAININGS |
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For further information email rlogan@proutinstitute.org.
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TRAINING STAFF
 Ravi Logan
Ronald (Ravi) Logan is Associate Director of the PROUT Institute and is
the principle author of PROUT: A New Paradigm of Development. He has written
on ecology, economics, social theory, history, and yoga philosophy. He
was the associate editor of Common Future, a magazine that integrated
economic, ecological, cultural, and spiritual perspectives in the formation
of a biocentric, decentralist, and humanistic social vision. He also served
as the Director of the North American PROUT Research Institute.
View Ravi's Full Biography
 Jason Schreiner
Jason Schreiner is Associate Director of the PROUT Institute and also
works with the Institute of Sustainability Education and Ecology (ISEE)
as coordinator of K-12 sustainability education efforts in the Eugene
metro area. He has served as Outreach and Development Director for the
former Goal One Coalition, a non-profit land use and citizen advocacy
organization based in Oregon. He has also taught courses on environmental
ethics and philosophy at Oregon State University, and has taught courses
in environmental humanities at the University of Oregon.
View Jason's Full Biography
Other Program Features
Optional activities will be available to help maintain physical health and mental balance during the training, including: yoga, aerobic river walks, permaculture site development work, and personal meditation. Special activities will include visits to model sustainability sites.
About Dharmalaya
Located near the Willamette River green belt and within ten minutes of downtown Eugene, Dharmalaya is a model of urban sustainable living. It features photovoltaic electric generation, organic gardening, greywater disposal, rainwater catchment, passive solar design, permaculture landscaping, a pond/swale water system, solar and on-demand water heaters, a strawbale structure with earthen plaster walls, use of recycled and natural building materials; extensive composting and recycling, a cob structure, and forest gardening. Dharmalaya serves as a community center for spiritual upliftment, ecological living, social transformation, community events, and human development.
Additional Programs
The Institute has developed an agenda of educational programs strategically designed to work in tandem to advance the Institute's objectives:
View all Institute Programs
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