The conference of GEN Europe from June 9-14 took this year place in ZEGG. It showed a record and a milestone: never before did so many people from the European ecovillage movement meet in such a fruitful and joyous atmosphere.
The decisions and topics of the general assembly clearly point towards growth and more impact on the society in the future. With a full program of keynote talks in the morning, workshops in the afternoon and project presentations in the evening the conference offered knowledge exchange on the diverse topics of ecovillages: from food sovereignty to governance, from media work to child raising, from legal advice to love and partnership in ecovillages. Music, dance, silence and interactive elements have always belonged to the culture of GEN conferences. We are deeply touched and grateful for all the love and energy so many of you brought in to make this possible. During the conference, GEN Europe accepted seven new members and now consists of 58 projects and national networks. We voted for the Ecovillage Excellency Award and together elected two projects: Global Campus Palestine and the Aurora Community in Romania. Each of them receives 1.500 Euros of price money, thanks to the Gaia Foundation and to the legacy of our friend Paulo Mellett.
GEN Europe is the network of ecovillages, urban communities and traditional villages in transition to more social and ecological sustainability in Europe and Middle East. GEN Europe organises education and knowledge transfer, outreach, fundraising and internet tools. Many examples of ecovillages throughout Europe have started to show their potential to economically and socially revitalize dying regions and inspire them with ecological and cultural impulses. In many cases ecovillages have become living and learning centers of their municipalities.
This is also what the representative of the town of Bad Belzig referred to in his opening words: "ZEGG is not a community, it is part of our community, and a close friend. As a town with a public wellness bath we see it as our task to work towards more ecology and sustainability, and in this ZEGG is an important partner for us."
More: www.gen-europe.org
