Released just before Christmas, I’m thrilled and honoured to have contributed to the 2nd edition of the Earth Charter International magazine which for over 2 decades has promoted inclusive and accessible principles for deeper understandings of sustainability across Earth, for all people.
Thank you so much Dr Mirian Vilela for the invitation and to Prof. Emeritus Peter Blaze Corcoran for the mentoring and encouragement. It has meant the world to many in Ireland to have our work with creativity guided by the inspiration of the Earth Charter, with the new Irish translation, highlighted in this way.
My article for the Earth Charter international magazine ‘Understanding how Creativity Works for a Better World: Unifying Insights From Ecological Art Practice and Values-Based Transformative ESD Learning’ is a reflection on the parallel insights that I noticed that have been developing over recent decades in the fields of Education for Sustainable Development and ecological art practice in the contemporary art world.
I’ve found much in both fields to comprise a fuller understanding of how ecoliterate-informed creativity can hearten and catalyse people to think and act for a better world in ways that facts and policy cannot achieve.
Cathy presenting at 2024 International Earth Charter conference
I’m also thrilled to announce that my abstract has been selected and I will be presenting at the Earth Charter International Conference in Florida 12-14 April 2024. I will be sharing findings from the four years Haumea Ecoversity has been offering transformative ecoliteracy and values-based learning for the creative sector.
Acknowledgements
Sincere thanks to my collaborator, philosopher Dr Nikos Patedakis and artist | Gaeilgeoir Phobe Cope, Thomas Duffy and to many others who have joined our Haumea Ecoversity Earth Charter ESD courses.
Grateful thanks to the Carlow Arts Office (Ireland) for the 2023 ArtLinks Award that supported my access to Earth Charter masterclasses and mentoring with Prof Emeritus Peter Blaze Corcoran and supporting my application to the Earth Charter International Conference 2024.
Also thanks to the Irish Arts Council for their 2020 Professional Development Award that allowed me to study with Earth Charter International and gain my accreditation on their 5-month Education for Sustainable Development ESD course.
My sincere thanks to Dr Mirian Vilela, Prof. Emeritus Peter Blaze Corcoran and Prof Emeritus Sam Crowell and many others within the Earth Charter family, for their support and encouragement.
Our orientation for our next Haumea Ecoversity 7-week course starts tomorrow – 17 Jan. Only a couple of places left – we then meet weekly for zoom sessions each Wed from 24 Jan. Click the green button below for more information.
Hello! Kia Ora! Dia daoibh!
I’m Cathy Fitzgerald, an ecological artist, educator, and founder of Haumea Ecoversity. Originally from Aotearoa New Zealand, I’ve lived in rural Ireland, the home of my ancestors, for over 30 years. Together with my philosopher colleague Dr Nikos Patedakis (USA), we’ve guided over 400 creative professionals worldwide in transformative ecoliteracy training since 2019.
Haumea Ecoversity Community Membership is the next chapter of this work—a vibrant space for lifelong learning, collective wisdom, and creative transformation for a more beautiful, just, and life-sustaining world.
Dr Cathy Fitzgerald
“In these times of great challenge, I’m passionate about bringing ecoliteracy—including new ecological thinking, values, language, and head-heart-body practices—to creative, sustainability and cultural sectors. These areas have a crucial leadership role: they can inspire communities to embrace new values and actions for living well on Earth, together with all life.”
About Cathy
- Ecological Artist: Creator of the ongoing Hollywood Forest Story with new-to-Ireland continuous cover forestry (begun 2008).
- Educator & Advisor: Accredited ESD Earth Charter educator, Creative Drummin Carlow Bog project ecoliteracy advisor.
- Researcher & Mentor: Specialist in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at Haumea Ecoversity.com
In 2022, I was honoured to be nominated by Earth Charter International and UNESCO Chair for ESD as Earth Charter Focal Point Communicator for Ireland
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