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USA – Radical Governance Changes In Two North American Ecovillages - Part One
Two North American ecovillages — Earthaven in North Carolina and Dancing Rabbit in Missouri — have recently implemented new governance and decision-making methods. "As an admitted community governance nerd“, Diana Leafe Christian says, “I am fascinated by how communities govern themselves and make decisions, and how they innovate new methods when things don’t seem to be working right. I’d like to tell you about these, because they exemplify a growing trend among communities internationally to … Read more
Hot Oil in Italy Food Sovereignty in Damanhur
Only 20 months have passed since the "Federation of Damanhur" in Northern Italy started the latest pioneering self-sufficiency project of its community. They have called it “olio caldo 4“ (Hot Oil), and aim to achieve food sovereignty for the community within one year. Within the community of Damanhur, with its 600 members and 25 ‘nucleo’ families, the project was entrusted to the nucleo Prima Stalla. Capra Carruba reports. As we speak of food sovereignty, this venture encompasses much more … Read more
Food Sovereignty in Germany Ecological Gardening in ZEGG
The German community ZEGG wants to establish a circular economy, which they consider to be a sustainable model for the future. In this regard, they use renewable resources, turn waste into usable materials, and encourage decentralised cooperation for food production. Cordula Andrä reports. ZEGG sources its food in several different ways. During the summer months, our fruit and vegetables come from our own garden. In addition to this, we are increasingly prioritising cooperation with farmers … Read more
EL Peregrino, Argentina Food Sovereignty at a Family and Regional Scale
The Agro-ecological farm, El Peregrino (The Pilgrim), is a project whose economic base is food production for residents consumption as well as for sale to the public.The farm was founded 18 years ago in Vista Flores, Mendoza, Argentina, by Ignacio Pereyra and Ana Pérez. With their children, María Jesús, Rodrigo, and Azucena, the family began to unlearn the forms and structures that degenerate life, so as to be able to learn from nature and the life rhythms that foster well being in the World. A … Read more
Abundance in Namibia Permaculture is Our Culture
Northern Namibia produces food abundantly for their families, communities close by, and also the Namibian community at large; their food can be found in the local markets of most major towns, as well as the capital city. On a trip to her homestead, Clio Pauly found, tasted and enjoyed a traditional Permaculture and Gift Economy society. I was recently humbled by a beautiful visit to our homestead in IIkokola, a traditional village in northern Namibia. In the last stretch of our 700km journey, … Read more
Become a Friend of GEN The Friends of GEN/Supportive Membership-Campaign!
At the coming GEN-Europe Conference from July 9 - 13, a new initiative of GEN will be launched: The Friends of GEN/Supportive Membership-Campaign! Often, when people get in contact with GEN, either through real life encounters or through the Internet, they are eager to be part of the movement, to stay in touch, or just to show their appreciation and willingness to support by giving a one-off donation. Moreover, what we have noticed is that a lot of people already donate regularly, and it is … Read more
Solar Dryers in Palestine Decentralized and Organic Food Technology in the Westbank
To have peace in Israel-Palestine, the mentality of scarcity needs to be replaced with an awareness of abundance, because the conflict is based on the fear that there is not enough for everyone: not enough land, not enough water, not enough energy. In the frame of the Global Campus, in the process of founding GEN Palestine, Aida Shibli made another step in food sovereignty in organising seminars to create abundance on a farm of the Westbank. Frederick Weihe reports. If we want to support the … Read more
São Paulo, Brazil Community Gardens in the Largest Metropolis of the Southern Hemisphere
Public parks, abandoned lots, pavements and even churches: in São Paulo every piece of land has the potential of turning into a community garden. After all, where food is planted citizenship grows! Henny Freitas reports. Imagine an avenue where over 1.5 million people transit every day, and where more than 4,200 cars and 200 buses go by per hour at peak times. What you have just imagined is the main financial road of São Paulo: Avenida Paulista. Now imagine a community garden in the midst of … Read more
Kenya: Food Sovereignty A Way to Achieve Food Security
Food sovereignty is a critical alternative to food security that asserts that not all ways of realizing food security are equal, says Victor Odula – GEN Ambassador from Kenya. He reports about the Rodi Ecovillage´s initiative to improve nutrition on the shores of the Lake Victoria. Rodi Ecovillage Development Initiatives is a community organization whose goals are to reduce poverty, and improve nutrition and the health of the rural poor, while improving the profitability and sustainability of … Read more
The (R)evolution of Agroecology Future Farms as Ecosystems
Modern mechanised agriculture is already the most fossil fuel intensive industry. This feature will increase when, in order to feed a growing world population, we have to grow more than 50% of our food; as representatives of global agribusiness currently assert. Ethel Chiodelli explains why this is wrong and biased thinking, and why agroecology and small farms are the future of modern farming. If we shift paradigm, the problem becomes the solution. Between two paradigms: farming for money or … Read more
