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Community Experiment in Israel and Palestine
The Peace Research Village Middle East team (PRV-ME), a member of GEN Middle East, is starting a community experiment in March, in which the project invites friends and supporters to live and work together toward the manifestation of the Village. During March the group is volunteering in the kibbutz, Neot Semadar, in the Negev, deepening the contact between communities and checking possibilities for future cooperation. In April the group will be living, working, and learning Arabic in Eilaboun, … Read more
Ecovillage Design Course Chile
Gaia Education came to El Manzano in Chile to deliver the first Ecovillage Design Education course of 2013. This was a truly transformative event and now, with a learning community of ecovillage designers forming in Chile, the way is paved for many such more. A report by Javiera Carrion. We hosted a group of 30 leaders, teachers and designers from around South America, most of whom have already completed a permaculture design course and have vast experience in their own projects. Some were … Read more
Ghana Permaculture Institute Achieving secure, stable food systems and improving quality of life for all
GEN Ghana was founded in 2013. One of its members is the Ghana Permaculture Institute, a non profit organization in Techiman, in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. Paul Yeboah shares the work of this initiative, which has been supported by the UK based company Lush. It shows how permaculture and ecovillage principles provide solutions for regions that are ripe for making the change to a more sustainable lifestyle. The Permaculture Institute was established especially for the rural dwellers, … Read more
Democratic Republic of Congo: “Hope for all” Trains Pioneers in Ecovillages
In Congo, the heart of Africa, shaken by a long war, the people and the land urgently need healing and alternatives. Due to a variety of issues such as rural migration and lack of education, together with environmental degradation such as deforestation and soil erosion, the self-confidence of villagers, especially around Kinshasa, is greatly diminished. Luc Lutala, Vice President of GEN-Congo and president of Hope for All, organized an EDE course in Congo in December 2012, supported by Lua … Read more
Ecovillages Online Solution Library Join the global exchange of knowledge and expertise
As the cradle of human civilization, Africa provides a rich archive of humanity´s wisdom within its tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The online Solution Library gleans this traditional and contemporary knowledge, publishing solutions from the global sustainable development models, and specifically from the cultural heritage wealth of Africa. The initiator, Niveen Adel Morsy, is a GEN-Africa Ambassador and the Islamic Heritage Manager of CULTNAT (the Egyptian Centre for Documentation … Read more
Invitation to the 13th Vision Council: "The Call of Quetzalcoatl" in Mexico
Since 1991, a growing network of alternative projects from all over Mexico has been gathering annually, bringing together hundreds of representatives from different complementary movements and experiences, from Mexico and other countries on the planet. For the last 21 years we have held twelve Vision Councils (Consejos), with people coming from indigenous nations, emerging intentional communities and ecovillages, healers, permaculturists, artists, social activists, youth, children and elders, … Read more
Los Angeles Eco-Village (LAEV) An urban eco-village in Los Angeles
Every second person on this planet lives in a city or town. We definitely need vision and solutions for a sustainable and humane urban lifestyle. We need in other words - eco-villages in cities. Los Angeles is the second biggest city of the United States and in its urban heart, the Los Angeles Eco-Village of forty inhabitants works to strengthen communities, and bring neighbors, art, and environmental action together. It intends to ‘reinvent how we live in the city’. This update is about three … Read more
Ecovillages – Alternatives & Models Ecovillages as Alternatives, Models and Learning Places to Overcome the Economic Crisis in Southern Europe
How are ecovillages affected by the economic crisis in Southern Europe? From the answers of initiatives and ecovillages in Spain, Portugal and Greece it seems that the crisis actually empowers and accelerates the ecovillage movement. As old securities fall apart, people start to look for alternatives. And so, ecovillages face a challenge to demonstrate their knowledge and to develop into best practice models, ecovillage 'midwives', and training places to foster regional autonomy. By Leila … Read more
The ‘Rain Boat’ of the Amazon A Contribution to an Intentional Sustainable Future
Expedition Barco Iris is a home, a means of transport, a stage of a conscious theatre and an itinerant school that shares knowledge amongst indigenous people and settlers. Barco Iris is one contribution to an intentional sustainable future as well as being Carleton Vaux´ and Henny Freitas´ house, floating through the heart of the Amazon. Our ‘rainboat’ is a tri-maran constructed with materials such as giant bamboos, recycled products and plantation timber. It is used by us to promote cinema, … Read more
Decision-making in Earthaven Why Earthaven Ecovillage, USA, Changed Its Decision-Making Method
Decision making processes are a big and challenging topic for communities and ecovillages. While many started with the consensus principles, most have changed that in the meantime, as they feel it gives individuals too much power to block the group. Diana Leafe Christian, longtime editor of Communities Magazine and member of Earthhaven Ecovillage in USA, has observed the processes in different communities and gives an overview. “Consensus . . . allows each person complete power over the … Read more
