We stand at a critical moment in Earth's history, a time when humanity must choose its future. To move forward we must recognise that, in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms, we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. Established in Findhorn in 1995, the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) today connects more than 10,000 villages, urban neighbourhoods and intentional communities in more than 100 countries worldwide. Spanning all continents, … Read more
traditional communities
Regenerative strategies for climate
Rice has been cultivated in the East Indian state of Odisha since ancient times, its fertile land and running rivers supporting paddy cultivation as the mainstay of its people. Odisha is similar to the Latin word for rice (Oryza) and some believe the name of the State derives from the crop known as Oryza Sativa, also known as Asian rice. Koraput is a district of Odisha known for its abundance of paddy fields as well as many varieties of millets, yam, and tuber crops, which are gradually … Read more
As-One Community, Japan: Could our community be fossil-free by 2020?
Chasing economic growth has brought material wealth to Japan but also caused social problems and serious environmental challenges, such as climate change. Hiroko Katayama reports. … Read more
Ecovillages in Tanzania Innovative Climate Interventions in African Villages
Ecovillages in Tanzania have the potential to lead the way in adopting an integrated approach to climate mitigation and adaptation while adding to climate resiliency. An article by Michael Farrelly, programme coordinator, Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement, with introductory comments by Rob Wheeler, United Nations Representative, GEN, and Tim Clarke, GEN Ambassador. A primary example of what can be done in either a traditional or ecovillage community to best address our climate challenges, … Read more
Gaia Education at COP21
Learn more at gaiaeducation.org GAIA Education will be present in the Climate Generations Area at Stand 15B within the Conference Campus at a stand organized by Ecolise and shared with GEN, if you are around then make sure you pop in to say bonjour! Read their Position Paper Gaia Education has held more than 190 EDE programmes in 34 countries on 6 continents, reaching more than 5 thousand people. Its programmes have been offered in settings ranging from tribal women and … Read more
Zimbabwe: How Permaculture Can Restore Ecosystems & Communities
Maddy Harland, publisher of the Permaculture Magazine (UK) tells the story of the Shona African community who healed their damaged ecosystems. They restored their springs, rebuilt their soil, regenerated their agriculture and alleviated poverty and malnutrition. Permaculture farming has proven effective all over the planet. In the rural Shona African community in Zimbabwe, five villages of 7,000 people have joined together to form the Chikukwa Project, named after their local chief. Twenty … 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
Strand Report “Emergencies” Responding to a World in Crises the Whole Systems Way
"How are we responding to crises using a whole systems and regenerative approach?” This was the question that a group of ecovillagers, consultants, volunteers, and other interested participants gathered to explore during a week-long session during the 20th Anniversary of the Global Ecovillage Network in July. Facilitator Sarah Quebatlin and Leila Dregger report. Natural disasters triggered by climate change are responsible for 150,000+ deaths every year and cause millions of people to have to … Read more
Earthquake in Nepal: What Ecovillagers Can Offer Humanity and the Earth
On 25 April 2015, Nepal experienced the first of its devastating earthquakes which left over 9000 dead and hundreds of thousands of homes and communities destroyed. Chris Gibbings, representative from GENOA from Australia was invited by the ecovillage network in Nepal to come and give a hand. Sunni Dawson reports. Chris arrived before the third (some know it as the second!) major earthquake to hit the country: "It was a scary experience for sure. Seeing the ongoing trauma of people in Nepal, … Read more
Japan in Transition: Free Money Systems Create Social Sustainability in Post-Tsunami Relief
In 2011, Japan experienced a mega-earthquake with a resulting tsunami in the vast northeastern area of the country. Hiroko Katayama from the urban ecovillage, As-One, reports on the observation that the mutual support among victims is more sustainable when they can maintain money-free exchanges. In March 2011, the nuclear power plants on the seashore of Fukushima experienced a meltdown. Since that time, large amounts of radiation have been leaking from the sites into the atmosphere, the ocean … Read more
