GEN (Global Ecovillage Network) and Gaia Education in Auroville Since the beginning, the Global Ecovillage Network has had an informal presence in Auroville with many Aurovilians connected to the network and establishing informal partnerships and EDE (Ecovillage Design Education) courses. Following the GEN +20 Conference in Findhorn in early July 2015, the GEN desk was officially started in August 2015 as ‘Pitchandikulam … Read more
Findhorn
GEN at COP21, France "These are our friends that are being existentially threatened."
A GEN delegation of more than 15 leaders participated in the United Nations Climate Conference in Paris this December. Through our participation, we explored the questions: what role do ecovillages have in climate change and what do we seek to accomplish? … Read more
First Ecovillage Network Forum China "Green land and pure water is the true wealth"
The Sunshine Ecovillage Network Forum of China held its first meeting in October 2015. Dorota Owen reports. … Read more
September 2015 Ecovillages Responding to Disasters and Crises
Dear Friends and Members of GEN, Dear change-makers throughout the world, With thousands of refugees and migrants arriving on the shores of Europe on a daily basis, the pain and crises in the world are becoming increasingly impossible to ignore, even in those regions which have felt relatively sheltered for a long time. It is a precious moment in history: the connectedness between all people of the world is becoming palpable in a new and urgent way. In many places all over Europe, … Read more
Aurora Eye comes to Findhorn Young Filmaker Visting Communities
In early October Serena Aurora visited Findhorn Foundation community in Scotland and the GEN International office located there in order to make a short film promoting GEN and Findhorn. Serena is an adventurous, nature-loving filmmaker inspired by the ecovillage movement. She is dedicating her energy to traveling around our precious planet, giving a voice and platform to ecovillages and other intentional communities. She documents and explores the diverse communities that live principles of … Read more
Hildur Jackson In Memory of a Life Well Lived
In this newsletter, we share in the celebration of Hildur, mother of GEN and Gaia Education, in memory of a life well lived, and in grieving of her passing. Hildur’s life was a song for justice and human dignity. Remembering her, it seems her voice was singing rather than speaking … Read more
For a Better World in Cameroon Bafut Ecovillage Receives Gaia Trust Award 2015
On the occasion of the GEN+20 Summit held in Findhorn Ecovillage, Scotland from July 5-11th, 2015 the Bafut Ecovillage won the Gaia Trust Award as the most inspiring Ecovillage project in Africa. By Sonita Mbah. Sonita Mbah and Joshua Konkankoh, both Better World Cameroon and African representatives said it is a dream come true. They express sincere joy and gratitude to GEN International and Gaia Trust for the priviledge. Sonita said “ I now feel that my 5 years of volunteering is paying off … Read more
Editorial Newsletter September 2015 Ecovillages Responding to Disasters and Crises
With thousands of refugees and migrants arriving on the shores of Europe on a daily basis, the pain and crises in the world are becoming increasingly impossible to ignore, even in those regions which have felt relatively sheltered for a long time. … Read more
Skala Ecovillage, Greece Greece: Community Building in Times of Crisis
At Skala Ecovillage, a network meeting of grassroot projects from all over Greece brought ideas, actions for change, community building, and hope as Anna Fillipou writes in her moving letter. Dear Friends of Skala Ecovillage, Next Sunday, on 20 September, elections will take place once again in Greece. After Tsipras put Greece in the third international bailout and austerity measures, the political party Syriza has split into two parties. The demands of a radical overhaul of the Greek … Read more
Ecovillages Responding on Crisis What is EmerGENcies Protocol?
The initiative, called the EmerGENcies Protocol, is in its third year of ideation continuing to explore its form. These include members from all regions and the GEN network, blueprint representatives, GAIA Education, and other independent projects unrelated to our networks. The complexity of what is at stake (to design an innovative and holistic response to the growing number of emergency situations), explains the diversity of the projects that make up the EmerGENcies Protocol. Initiator … Read more
