Ecovillages - Models for Sustainability

ECOVILLAGESModels for Sustainability

Presented by Pham Thuy DuongHue, 17.05.2016

Outline

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Introduction

The Holistic Approach to Sustainability

Ecovillages - Sustainability in Practice

Challenges to Ecovillages

Conclusions

Introduction

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• Ecovillages are communities of people drawn together by

the common goal of living more sustainably.

• Ecovillages are exploring sustainable life styles not only

in environmental but also in social, economic and spiritual

terms.

• “An ecovillage is an intentional or traditional community

using local participatory processes to holistically integrate

ecological, economic, social, and cultural dimensions of

sustainability in order to regenerate social and natural

environments” (GEN).

What is Ecovillage?

Background

• Eco-centered communities

started forming in the 1960s

and 1970s (environmental

movement).

The choice and commitment

to reverse the gradual

disintegration of supportive

social/cultural structures and

destructive environmental

practices on our planet.

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Background

• 1991: Robert Gilman and Diane

Gilman wrote "Ecovillages and

Sustainable Communities" for Gaia

Trust.

• 1995: the first ecovillage conference

took place in Findhorn, Scotland.

After that conference, many

intentional communities began

calling themselves “ecovillages”,

giving birth to a new movement: the

Global Ecovillage Network.6

Ecovillages around the World

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(Source: GEN)

The Holistic Approach

to

Sustainability

9Source: GENI

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“In order to understand what’s behind our sustainability

challenges, we need to step back and look at the big picture,

see the connections, identify the root causes of our problems

and find the leverage points for change.” (Baxter et al. 2009).

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Systems View of Life

All is One

Our interconnection & interdependence

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• Life itself is made up of

complex and interdependent

systems.

• When one key element of a

system in our lives changes,

it simultaneously affects many

other elements in our lives.

• Unity through Diversity

“We are merely a strand in the web of life. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves”

Whole Systems Vision

• Appreciation of Nature as a

symbol of Integrity, Stability and

Beauty.

• Celebrating Complexity and

respect Diversity.

• A holistic approach encourages

us to see the “whole” - the bigger

picture, so that we can structure

more effective, efficient and

creative system solutions.

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Whole Systems Vision

• At the system level, the

overwhelming force in nature

is cooperation (symbiosis),

not competition.

• Seeing the big picture helps

us to understand and act upon

the interconnectedness of all

things and to operate in

harmony with others and with

nature.

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The Earth CharterValues and Principles for a Sustainable Future

Respect and Care for the Community of Life

Ecological Integrity

Social and Economic Justice

Democracy, Nonviolence and Peace

Earth Charter Initiative: http://earthcharter.org

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Dimensions of Sustainability

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GEN embraces a

holistic approach to

sustainability

encompassing the

Social, Cultural,

Ecological and

Economic dimensions

of human existence.

Spiritual Values

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Spiritual values are essential as an inner

guiding light which helps us:

• to develop our worldview,

• to seek wisdom of truth and wholeness,

• to find meaning of our existence

• to connect with a greater transcendent

reality.

“Justice and compassion spring from the hearts of people who recognize our profound interdependence and interrelatedness with one another and the Earth” (Lamborn).

Spiritual Values

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• Spiritual connection is the basis for

love, compassion and community.

• Our desire to deeply connect can be

the most powerful force for good.

• The virtues of justice, service and

compassion can motivate us to

address our social and environmental

challenges and to build a world of

peace and harmony.

Ecovillages

Sustainability in Practice

The Social Dimension

Ecovillages are communities in which people feel supported

by and responsible to those around them. They provide a

deep sense of belonging to a group.

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• A common goal

• Trust arises through

Transparency

• Free expression

• Social inclusion

• Providing mutual aid

• Respecting Diversity

The Social DimensionLeadership structure and grassroots democracy

The role model for

decision making in a

community is no

longer the Pyramid,

but the Circle.

Participatory

decision making

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Grassroots democracy requires mature people with

leadership qualities, so that responsibility can truly be shared.

The Cultural/Spiritual Dimension

Ecovillages respect and support the Earth and all living

beings on it; cultural and artistic enrichment and expression;

and spiritual diversity.

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The Cultural/Spiritual Dimension

Cultural and spiritual vitality means:

• Shared creativity, artistic expression,

cultural activities, rituals and

celebrations

• Sense of community unity and mutual

support

• Understanding of the

interconnectedness and

interdependence

• Creation of a peaceful, loving,

sustainable world

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The Ecological Dimension

Ecovillages allow people to experience their personal connection

to the living earth, enjoying daily interaction with the soil, water,

wind, plants and animals, which provide for their daily needs -

food, clothing, shelter - while respecting the cycles of nature.

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Organic farming in

Plum Village, France

The Ecological Dimension

Ecology means:

• Growing food as much as possible

within the community

• Creating homes out of locally

adapted materials

• Using village-based integrated

renewable energy systems

• Protecting biodiversity, nature & wildlife

• Preserving clean soil, water and air

through proper energy and waste

management26

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Symbiotic Development Model in Govardhan Ecovillage, India

The Economic Dimension

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(Source: http://upstreampolicy.org)

Fair, Just, Regenerative Economy

The Economic Dimension

Economic Vitality means:

• Promoting sustainable local economy

• Social enterprises and society profit

• Sharing and collaborative

consumption

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Challenges

to

Ecovillages

Challenges to Ecovillages

• Lack of land and high land price

• Lack of finance

• The trend towards greater globalization

Limiting community access to and control over

land, water and food

• The trend towards greater individualism

• The commonality of interest may not be

sufficiently strong to make it effective as a

collective body

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Conclusions

• Grassroots initiatives.

• Value and practice community living.

• Not overly dependent on government,

corporate or other centralized sources

for water, food, shelter, power and

other basic necessities.

• Have a strong sense of shared values, often

characterized in spiritual terms.

• Living manifestation of a philosophy of voluntarily

simplicity and greater self-reliance.

Ecovillage - Living Models for Sustainability

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Creating a culture of sustainability which cherishes values of tolerance,

love, care, respect… is essential in empowering and transforming

community towards a sustainable future.

Ecovillages – a Vision, an Ideal, a Goal

References

• Collaborative Consumption http://www.collaborativeconsumption.com

• Ecovillage – 1001 Ways to Heal the Planet - GEN

• Ecovillage Newsletter http://www.ecovillagenewsletter.org

• Earth Charter – Values and Principles for a Sustainable Future

http://earthcharter.org

• Fellowship of Intentional Communities http://www.ic.org

• Findhorn Ecovillage http://www.ecovillagefindhorn.com

• Gaia University http://www.gaiauniversity.org

• Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) http://gen.ecovillage.org

• Govardhan Ecovillage http://www.ecovillage.org.in

• Jonathan Dawson, 2006, Ecovillages: New frontiers of sustainability,

Schumacher Briefings

• On the Commons http://www.onthecommons.org

• Shareable http://www.shareable.net

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Thank you for your attention!

Questions & Discussion