Words and actions between people of different colour, gender, or religion are often charged with unconscious racism or sexism. GEN is creating communication tools to become aware of old patterns to be able to change them. Some people are our helpers by making us aware of our automatic prejudices. One of them is Elena Ball from Next GEN. The first time I learned about GEN I spent some months in Senegal moved by questions such as "Who am I?", "Where do I belong?", "What do I want to do in my … Read more
Europe
How are you Empowering the Women? How are you Empowering the Women in your Community?
Together with sociologist and feminist Nina Kovoets, we sent out a little questionnaire to the general GEN Europe list to get some data about the situation of women in the ecovillages - at least in Europe. We received 18 replies - which is probably not very representative but gives a taste of what people in the movements feel about women's empowerment and gender roles. Thank you to all who took the time to reply. The majority of the communities and projects that answered have slightly more … Read more
Gentle Power Thoughts on a New Women’s Movement Based on Communities
Worldwide women are struggling for power and emancipation. For a world in which women can take their place without positioning themselves either above, or below, the man; without fighting or having to imitate him. A culture of partnership where the genders, as equally strong poles, complement and love each other. A world in which violence against women can no longer happen. One in which women can come together and cooperate for the well being of all creatures on this planet – and for a new love … Read more
Meeting of National Networks Meeting of National Ecovillage Networks of Europe in Torre Superiori, Italy
The first meeting of the national GEN networks in Europe was successfully held last January, with the participation of more than twelve networks. The discussions were conducted and brilliantly facilitated by Lucilla, from the hosting community Torre Superiore. Lucilla has been working in the secretariat of GEN Europe for many years. Alfonso Flaquer Carreras reports. Since it was the first space for an open dialogue between the national networks, the main sessions were focussed on trying to … Read more
Creating Baltic Ecovillage Network BEN: Baltic Sea Ecovillages Project Has Delivered a Number of Significant Results
The project “Ecovillages for Sustainable Rural Development” financed by the EU’s Baltic Sea Region Programme, 2007–2013, which started in February 2010, is approaching its completion, delivering a number of significant results. Aimed at fostering the development of ecovillages as a more sustainable way of living in rural areas of the Baltic Sea Region, the project has been implemented by project partners from Lithuania (the lead partner), Finland, Latvia, Poland and Sweden. In addition, the … Read more
Australia: Robin Clayfield – Heart and Wisewoman of Crystal Waters
Crystal Waters Permaculture Village in Queensland, Australia, was established in 1988, following Permaculture principles and practices. Robin Clayfield has been a member from the beginning, emphasizing the meaning of social permaculture. She believes in community and lives it. Shane Schmidt, GEN Member, Australia, met and talked to her. When I sought to spend time in Crystal Waters Ecovillage, I was initially met with some resistance until I was directed to Robin Clayfield: “Of course come and … Read more
NextGEN: Is there Justice in Acting and Speaking in GEN?
Words and actions between people of different colour, gender, or religion are often charged with unconscious racism or sexism. GEN is creating communication tools to become aware of old patterns to be able to change them. Some people are our helpers by making us aware of our automatic prejudices. One of them is Elena Ball from Next GEN. The first time I learned about GEN I spent some months in Senegal moved by questions such as "Who am I?", "Where do I belong?", "What do I want to do in my life … Read more
USA: From Occupy Village to Opportunity Village Eugene – Pioneering New Solutions for the (Formerly) Homeless
When the city of Eugene broke up the Occupy camp in December of 2011, they promised to give the homeless another piece of land. Dan Bryant, a minister who wears a leather jacket and drives a motorcycle; Jean Stacey, a fiery lesbian advocate for the homeless; and Andy Heben, a young urban designer who wrote his thesis on homeless camps that he visited around the country, went around touting the idea of Opportunity Village. Alex Daniell found out that "If you give a homeless person a home then … Read more
Amalurra Communities based on Femini Basque Country: Amalurra Communities in Basque Country and Spain Based on Feminine Principles
After returning from a trip to the American continent, Irene Goikolea reconnected with the need to awaken to the sacred feminine aspect as an inherent part of the legacy of her people of the Basque country. She was inspired to found the Amalurra communities - which is Basque for Mother Earth - more than 20 years ago. Today, Amalurra has three communities with 150 men and women. In the first part of this article, Irene shares her experience with the female principles; the second part is an … Read more
Israel: Rise up My Beloved! The Song of Songs is a Song for Peace
Emma Sham-Ba Ayalon, Israel, is part of a group that holds the vision for building a Peace Research Village in the Middle East. She felt that peace between the genders is a crucial base for peace between the nations and religions. Looking for inspiring wisdom to develop this deep level of peace, she connected to the most erotic text of the bible, the Song of Songs. Lately, I have worked on translating the Song of Songs. It is the most erotic text in the bible. It shows how eros and nature are … Read more
