ASIA SOURCE
Venue
Visthar is a support and training organisation for the voluntary sector and a small artists community on the outskirts of Bangalore. Visthar is a popular NGO training venue and has been intentionally chosen for its simple facilities and 'camp' style atmosphere.
Asia Source is a community building event - in the spirit of free and open source software - participants will be expected to contribute to activities and the running of the event. Participants will sleep in simple dormitory accommodations, have large group lunches and dinners, and have access to a range of training, plenary, discussion and relaxation areas. The venue is set in a garden with some open spaces, the buildings are simple and functional. There are art studios and spaces where artists-in-residence work, ampitheatres for informal sessions, and retreat and reflection spaces, including a temple.
The organisers will set up a media lab and a 'bazaar' on site. The media lab will be a hub of computers with internet connection. It will be open inbetween sessions and during the evening. Participants can use this space for a range of activities such as testing out tools, working one-on-one or accessing the internet. The Bazaar will be a tented area, furnished with matts, cushions and rolls. It will be used for evening gatherings, informal discussions and sessions during the day, as well as serving tea and refreshments.
Please be advised that many of Asia Source's activities will take place in open air rooms and outdoor spaces. This will be an informal workshop event, please make sure you bring appropriate clothing for the weather and style of the facilities.
This is an on-site training within a closed community, participants will be expected to stay at Visthar for the duration of the event. Accommodation will be provided dormitory style, please be prepared to share rooms and bathrooms with fellow participants. Some dormitories sleep two or three, other sleep as many as seven. Please be aware in advance that these are the accommodations in the community.
Other activities of Visthar include training in gender analysis, planning and organisational development; documentation and publication of books, training materials, dossiers, posters, calendars and other campaign materials; networking and campaign support to people's movements; consultancy; studies and research on issues related to gender and development, culture and social liberation and ecology and development.
