Activities for Principle#3 of TL for Degrowth

Learning well-being and ecological health

Aim: Create learning spaces that go against commodification of learning and labor competition.

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Table of contents

Level of complexity: Low / Medium

Estimated time: 45—60 minutes

  • Split participants into two groups. One defends traditional growth as progress; the other supports degrowth or alternative well-being indicators.
  • Host a short debate.
  • End with a reflection circle: “What does a good life mean for you?”

Level of complexity: Low / Medium

Estimated time: 45—90 minutes

  • Ask participants to map their daily routines from morning to night.
  • Identify actions outside capitalist norms (e.g., cooking at home, sharing, helping a neighbor).
  • Add examples to an Iceberg model of Diverse Economies (external link).
  • Discuss in pairs or small groups the challenges and possibilities of resisting growth dependencies through diverse economies.
  • Depending on time constraints, participants can be introduced to alternative worldviews, such as buen vivir, through various formats, including videos, texts, and personal stories that challenge growth dependencies.

Level of complexity: Medium / High

Estimated time: 1—1.5 hours

  • Begin with a nature walk or reflection (if outdoors is possible) in pairs.
  • Discuss what makes an educational space inclusive, collaborative, and ecological.
  • Forming small groups, participants are asked to design educational spaces (draw, collage, model) based on degrowth principles.
  • Present designs and share reflections.

    Level of complexity: Low / Medium

    Estimated time: 2—3.5 hours

    • Choose a local green area (e.g., a park, a forest).
    • Lead group through a sensory walk, mindful observation, and journaling.
    • Conduct a creative or science-based activity using only natural materials (e.g., mapping local biodiversity, building eco-shelters, or constructing small structures such as public shared libraries). You may add poetry writing or storytelling inspired by the walk.
    • Reflect on the questions:
      • How does learning and doing outdoors feel different?
      • What can be done differently within the traditional educational spaces?

    Proposed films to further connect with these reflections after this activity

    • Dead Poets Society (1989) movie
      • This movie inspires rethinking education through nonconformity, emotional intelligence, and holistic personal development.

      “Let’s talk about degrowth" toolkit

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