The Peoples' Institute for Re-thinking Education and Development
The Learning Societies UnConference seeks to bring together all kinds of people who are resisting monoculture of the mind and co-creating diverse learning communities, sustainable learning spaces, creative un/learning processes, etc. for new models of happiness, well-being, decolonisation and swaraj. The 'unconference' was initiated by Shikshantar Andolan and many radical friends all around India in 2002, see www.shikshantar.org. Its deepest intent is as a meeting of hearts, deepening the spirit of friendship and maitri, and shifting from a schooling society to a learning society.
We believe in many streaming, not mainstreaming. We are inviting different alternative streams to come together in the spirit of co-creation: alternative educators, homeschoolers, unschoolers, worldschoolers, cultural creatives, artists, upcyclers designers, activists, healers, organic farmers, eco-architects, spiritual explorers, giftivists and community-builders, filmmakers, grandmothers, social entrepreneurs, ecologists, nature lovers, crazy walkouts, etc. You will find the most inspiring people and experiments in the world for re-imagining education here.
The desert is calling you...
Register for LSUC2023 from March 23-27, 2023 for Sardarshahr, Rajasthan.
The desert is calling you...
The Learning Societies UnConference is entirely organized in the spirit of gift culture. We feel everyone is a volunteer, a learner, a teacher, a co-creator with many gifts to share to help build the larger community ecosystem. The 'agenda' is emergent and self-organizing. We are all co-creators of the program. You can host workshops, host circles, host stalls, give speeches, sing, dance, play games, offer and share your knowledge, experiences and questions.
To get a better sense about this one-of-a-kind event, read - LSUC2017 Love Letters and LSUC2020 Love Letters
Also have a look at - What is an UNconference?
If you are still confused about what it is all about, that's okay. Just breathe... Be open to being surprised... Or search for the secret clues by talking to people who have attended in the past.
We are requesting that you stay for a minimum of 4 days - anything less means that you will miss out on too much and you will not be able to contribute much to co-creating the unconference process/energy. We will not accept participants who are coming for only 1 or 2 days. There is a strict no drug, alcohol and smoking policy at the LSUC for the safety/comfort of all participants - anyone found having any drugs or alcohol at the event will be asked to leave immediately.
The suggested contribution for the event is Rs7700 per person (inclusive for registration, food and accommodation). For a family of 4, the suggested contribution is Rs25000. We would greatly appreciate it if you can give more to sponsor others participation as part of our diversity fund. Lack of money should not deter you from attending or from full participation. You can contribute whatever you are able to from your heart. We trust you.
There will be shared accommodation available on the site. You must register each member of your family (over the age of 5) so that we can arrange proper beds. In addition, we are also encouraging people to bring tents to the venue to stay in as part of the desert tent community pop-up village. There are also hotels and guest houses nearby if you want to make a private booking.
We encourage you to start organizing your travel so that you can journey together in a caravan from your place. Also make sure to wear yellow as your travel so you can spot other LSUCers on way. The magic of the LSUC will start as soon you leave your home...
CO-HOSTED BY: Shikshantar Andolan · Gandhi Vidya Mandir · Ecoversities Alliance · Indian Multiversities Network · Vikalp Sangam · Amrit Anna Organic Alliance · Organic Farming Association of India · Swashikshan Association of Indian Homeschoolers · Creative Movement Therapy Association of India · Swaraj University · Creativity Adda · Rajasthan Kabir Yatra · Digital Empowerment Foundation · Vision Karnataka Foundation · Gandhi Fellowship · ISETILAB Incubator Foundation · Quest Alliance · Banyan Tree Bookstore · The Other India Bookstore · Blue Ribbon Movement · YES Jam · Youth Alliance · Game-a-thon · Project DEFY · Djed Foundation · Bhoomi College · The Dharavi Dream Project · Banyan Roots Organic · The MoveVent Project · Aarambh Waldorf School · Aarohi Life Education Trust · Learners Collective Foundation · Pitaara · Laa Po Laa Theatre in Education · Purple Mangoes Clownversity · Prem-a-Culture · Zero Waste Lifestyle-India · Abhivyakti Media for Development · Unlearning Ashram · Vimukt Shiksha Yatra · Possibilities · Moved by Love · Farmversities Network
HOW TO GET THERE?
The next LSuC is going to be held in Gandhi Vidya Mandir, Sardarshahr, Rajastahna. Gandhi Vidya Mandir (GVM) was founded in 1950, on a 1200- acre piece of land, on one of the harshest terrains of the country. Acutely prone to droughts, heat and cold waves, epidemics and other travesties of nature, GVM has striven to support local communities through various permanent and adhoc programmes of education, culture, livelihood, health and hygiene, etc. GVM is nestled like an oasis in the Thar desert, near the town of Sardarshahr in India’s north-western state of Rajasthan. It is about 300 km west of Delhi , 125 km east of Bikaner and 230 km north of Jaipur (connected by rail and road).
Best routes to get here:
1. Via Jaipur
250 KM from Jaipur. 6 hours by road. The best way is Rajasthan State Roadways. Board a bus from the source Sindhi Camp (Platform Number 4). The frequency of the buses is really good. All the buses heading to Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, Punjab cross though here. Try not to get on the private ones. Sarkari is better and more accountable if you are visiting here for the first time. Prefer the ones coming via Ratangarh and not Churu as that highway is better. Time taken is the same on both the routes.
The route: Jaipur-Chaumun(Bypass)-Reengus(Bypass)-Sikar-Lakshmangarh (Bypass)-Fatehpur-Ratangarh/Churu-Sardarshaharजयपुर-चौमूँ(बाईपास)-रींगस(बाईपास)-सीकर-लक्ष्मणगढ़(बाईपास)-फतेहपुर-रतनगढ़-सरदारशहर
In case you choose a train over a bus, come up to Churu/Ratangarh and then you'll have to board a bus from there. It takes 1 hour to reach here from both the places.
2. Via Delhi
300 KM from Delhi. 7-8 hours by road. Located on Delhi-Bikaner Highway. The sarkari bus of any state roadways should be the last option if you're coming via Delhi. Get on some private bus. . The source boarding place is usually behind the Tees Hazari Court premises in Delhi. Any bus that heads to Bikaner from Delhi will cross through Sardarshahar. There are more boarding points in Delhi. Confirm with your travel agency.
The route:Delhi-Rohtak-Hisar-Sadulpur(Rajgarh)-Taranagar-Sardarshaharदिल्ली-रोहतक-हिसार-सादुलपुर(राजगढ़)-तारानगर-सरदारशहर
In case you choose a train over a bus, come up to Churu/Ratangarh and then you'll have to board a bus from there. It takes 1 hour to reach here from both the places.
3. Via Bikaner (or from the direction of anywhere near Jodhpur)
150 KM from Bikaner. 3 hours by road. Boarding a bus from the main bus stand is advisable to avoid any hush-hush. However, you can get on it from Sankalpura stand too, where the probability of getting a seat is very less and you'll have to keep standing for almost half of your journey.
The route:Bikaner-Shridungargarh-Sardarshaharबीकानेर-श्रीडूँगरगढ़-सरदारशहर
In case you choose a train over a bus, come up to Churu/Ratangarh and then you'll have to board a bus from there. It takes 1 hour to reach here from both the places.
4. Via Ajmer
300+ KM from Ajmer. 7-8 hours by road. The highway is direct and great but the buses are bad. Not prefered. Don't go for it until and unless you are either actually coming from Ajmer or plan to visit the places like Merta (the city of Mira Bai) in Nagaur district.
If you're coming via either Jaipur or Bikaner, availing the state roadways services is advisable. We don't have the most appropriate train connectivity here. You'll have to reach either Churu or Ratangarh anyway and then get a bus from there. However, if you're coming via Delhi, a train until Churu should be a better option, and then, a bus.
If you're booking a seat in a bus, make sure you speak to the travel agency over the phone too.
Here is a link to google location for GVM: https://goo.gl/maps/S9B1KymfXEXupieu6
