25 September 2008

'The Power of Community: How Cuba became a low energy society' - public lecture, Saturday September 27th

When Cuba lost access to Soviet oil, fertilizers, and export trade market in the early 1990s, the country faced virtual overnight economic collapse and an immediate crisis - feeding the population.

The story of how Cuba successfully developed permaculture in response to this crisis will be outlined in a thought-provoking lecture by renowned Cuban permaculturalist Roberto Perez in a major lecture at the University of Dundee this Saturday.

Cuba has in the past 18 years transformed its food production using organic agriculture and Havana produces over 60% of its food requirements from within the city limits.

The Cuban people's hardship, ingenuity, and triumph over sudden adversity, through cooperation, conservation, and community, to create a low-energy society is a truly inspirational story as evidenced in the documentary, The Power of Community in which Roberto features.

This lecture is being held in celebration of the University of Dundee being awarded Fair Trade Status earlier this summer.

The lecture starts at 6 pm in the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, and admission is free. Tickets can be obtained from the Tower Building Reception, or from the online store (see: www.dundee.ac.uk/externalrelations/tickets/) or by emailing: events@dundee.ac.uk.

Space in the theatre is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis but there is extra space available in overflow areas.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk