Our exciting new Costa Rican initiative has just begun!
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IAT intends to create an Eco-Community and Global Youth Training and Development Centre on 200 acres of farmland and rain forest in Socorro, near the west coast of Costa Rica. IAT plans to establish a core community of full time resident staff and volunteers, both local and from other regions of the Americas, and to offer short term (six to ten month) residential programs to high-potential youth from around the world.
The program will focus on providing cross-cultural youth with opportunities to connect with the land, to gain self-awareness and a sense of purpose, and to acquire the values, confidence, leadership and practical life-skills that will enable them to play key roles in creating positive social, economic and environmental change in their respective communities. There will be a strong cultural, spiritual (not church-centered) awareness and connection.
The Program will provide skills and leadership training in Costa Rica to globally-recruited young people between the ages of 16 and 26.
 Candidates for training will have demonstrated interest in positive change. The courses offered, will be staged gradually to increase the students' capacity to integrate into the community at a practical level.
The establishment of the Centre on farmland, will propagate the values of sustainable organic farming, forestry conservation and environmental restoration and preservation. Permaculture and Biodynamic farming techniques will be featured.
Youth will interact with each other both in Canada, Costa Rica and other countries and become active in an ongoing community program. Students will also have opportunities to participate in local community initiatives and in the operations of the Centre. Additional topics will be developed based on the needs and interests of the participating youths and local communities.
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CLICK HERE
to take a VIRTUAL TOUR
of our Global Youth Training and Development Centre
in
SOCORRO, COSTA RICA
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A strong sustainability component will provide entrepreneurial training to youth while generating ongoing funds for program operation and expansion. Program participants will also have opportunities to become involved in IAT's Canadian and Philippines projects.
Participating youth will be encouraged to initiate eco-projects and other community initiatives in their own communities with continuing support from the Centre. Program successes and experience will be shared with other youth-driven projects via the Internet.
As a country renowned for its leadership in peace and environmental conservation, Costa Rica serves as an ideal location for the proposed program and for North/South exchange and co-operation.
Program Objectives:
- To establish an Eco-village and Global Youth Training and Development Centre at Socorro, Costa Rica;
- To offer short term cross-cultural experience (six to ten months) and residential environmental and leadership training to youth;
- To initiate small social and environmental community projects in response to local requests as a way to introduce youth to community development;
- To encourage youth to initiate or contribute to positive change in their countries of origin and to support youth in such efforts through a communications network maintained by the program;
- To link the youth training in Costa Rica with youth training in Canada and the Philippines.
Program Structure:
IAT Plans an Integrated Program built on nine linking skill areas:
- Communication -- Multi-media production, computer networking, development of print materials.
- Leadership -- Development of leadership and life skills.
- Sustainable Entrepreneurship -- Helping to fund the program through initiatives such as eco-tourism and marketing farm produce.
- Sustainable Agriculture -- organic farming, fish ponds, seedling nurseries
- Holistic Health -- alternative and complementary health techniques, personal growth.
- Community Outreach -- Working with Costa Rican communities, street youth, environmental concerns, as part of experiential training.
- Indigenous Awareness -- cultural exchange, knowledge of indigenous practices.
- Program Management -- Project development and monitoring skills.
- Spiritual and Practical Vision -- Future visioning and strategic planning.
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ECO-VILLAGE AND GLOBAL YOUTH TRAINING CENTER:An Integrated Programming Framework - Costa Rica |
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The Sacred Circle - a symbol of unity,
healing, equality, integrity, and change. |
 A Co-creative Council consisting of representative staff, volunteers and
participants from each interlinking area will oversee and monitor the program. |
Program Sustainability:
Low impact structures representative of indigenous dwellings from around the globe will be constructed over a period of several years. Construction will be
directed by representative elders and youth from various countries, and be part of the practical, experiential training of the participants. These native dwellings will be organized throughout the 200-acre property and will be rented to tourists or Costa Rican families seeking a unique experience and an opportunity to attune with nature. Visitors will be encouraged to take part in youth-organized activities and to share their knowledge to learn from youth about ecology and environmental preservation. Revenue generated from rent or lease of these domiciles will go towards supporting the overall program.
The Centre will undertake other revenue generating activities such as eco-tours, cross-cultural experiences, shorter courses, as well as the sale of farm produce. Core staff and participants will design and implement other revenue producing ventures. Promising graduates of the training will be encouraged to remain at the Centre as hosts and as members of the core staff for ongoing programs.
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Charity registration No: 890743594 RR 0001
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