In the five hundred and twenty three years since Columbus’ world changing voyage, the biodiversity of our planet has steadily been slipping away from us. It is becoming widely acknowledged and understood that the so-called 'green revolution', that has dominated global agriculture policy and practice, is steadily stripping away the diversity in the human and natural realms. GENOA Ambassadors, Trudy Juriansz and Sion Zivetz, report on the restoration of nature in the wake of colonialism. Twelve … Read more
General
Series: who are we in gen? Part 2: Portrait of Michiyo Furnhashi, Japan, President of GENOA
In 2011, Michiyo Furuhashi was elected to represent the Global Ecovillage Network of the region Oceania/Asia. The 48-old lives in the Ecovillage and Lightcenter Kohonana Family in Japan, and her main aim and philosophy is to connect sustainability and spirituality. A portrait by Leila Dregger The participants of the GEN Europe conference won´t forget her so easily: Her voice - strong and bright like pure light - made the whole group sing together songs of love and peace. Michiyo is a … Read more
Turkey: Roads to sustainability Ecovillage güneşköy threatened by a highway project
Ecovillages are roads to sustainability, yet it appears that the Turkish government prefers highways to destruction. Ecovillage Güneşköy, close to Ankara, and the surrounding forests are in danger. Inci Gökmen and Ali Gökmen, co-founders of Güneşköy, report. Güneşköy - Sun Village Ecovillage Initiative was started as a cooperative by ten people living in Ankara, the capitol of Turkey. Ten years ago, 7.5 hectars of land, located next to a traditional village was bought. No agricultural … Read more
Mexico: C.A.S.A. and rainbow caravan Mexico: C.A.S.A. and rainbow caravan for peace in huehuecoyotl ecovillage
After one year of existence, the C.A.S.A. Mexico branch of the Latin American Ecovillage Network is very active. Fernando Ausin-Gomez reports from the second annual meeting and the EcoCaravans Gathering. Imagine what it must be like to hold the memories of 13 years criss-crossing Latin America on a caravan of buses promoting peace councils throughout indigenous communities, favelas, schools and rural areas. Imagine trying to process and convey ancient indigenous legacies during prophesied … Read more
Villagelab A service tool to facilitate the flow of wealth to and from regenerative communities
Gaia Villages Foundation & the Ecovillage Innovation Lab has simplified its name to VillageLab. Though initially based in North America and Mexico, VillageLab hopes to spread its services to the entire GEN network and other networks of sustainable and regenerative communities. Presently VillageLab is looking for beta test projects to include on its crowdfunding site. The group will be publishing their project selection criteria soon - to get a copy please contact them directly. Jeff … Read more
Recognising the Rights of Nature Recognising the Rights of Nature
Does a tree have rights not to be cut down? Does a creek have the right not to be polluted and dammed? During the GEN Europe conference in July, Mumta Ito from Findhorn Ecovillage, spoke about the concept of Wholistic Law and a rights-based approach to environmental protection. She launched a working group to bring a 'European Citizen’s Initiative for Recognising and Respecting the Inherent Rights of Nature' (the “ECI”). Now, GEN has adopted the rights of nature in their policy. Mumta Ito … Read more
Community Tools: Transparency, Equivalence, and Effectiveness
Diana Leafe Christian explains how what the benefits of using Sociocracy in communities are, especially when compared with using consensus. This article appeared in Communities magazine’s Fall 2013 issue, Sept, 2013; and is serialized in blogs and other Internet sources, including Ecovillages newsletter www.EcovillageNews.org At first the question stumped me. I was giving an informal presentation on Sociocracy one morning in a grass-roof-covered building at Findhorn in Scotland. Sociocracy … Read more
Recognising the Rights of Nature
Does a tree have rights not to be cut down? Does a creek have the right not to be polluted and dammed? During the GEN Europe conference in July, Mumta Ito from Findhorn Ecovillage, spoke about the concept of Wholistic Law and a rights-based approach to environmental protection. She launched a working group to bring a 'European Citizen’s Initiative for Recognising and Respecting the Inherent Rights of Nature' (the “ECI”). Now, GEN has adopted the rights of nature in their policy. Mumta Ito … Read more
NextGEN in Togo: InTerraTree A locally owned Ecovillage and Education center
It has been an exciting year for NextGEN, the youth movement within GEN. Inspired youth from around the global have been busy connecting young people with the ecovillage movement and empowering them to build the world of the next generation. One of our latest initiatives towards creating this world is focused on constructing a locally owned ecovillage and education center in Togo, West Africa. Cynthia Tina, NextGENNA Representative, reports. NextGEN International Representative, Nick Joyce, … Read more
Reconnecting with Lost Forests Sri Lanka: Healing Colonialism by Reconnecting with Lost Forests
In the five hundred and twenty three years since Columbus’ world changing voyage, the biodiversity of our planet has steadily been slipping away from us. It is becoming widely acknowledged and understood that the so-called 'green revolution', that has dominated global agriculture policy and practice, is steadily stripping away the diversity in the human and natural realms. GENOA Ambassadors, Trudy Juriansz and Sion Zivetz, report on the restoration of nature in the wake of … Read more
