Presentation, 17.05.2016

1. ECOVILLAGES
Models for Sustainability
Presented by Pham Thuy Duong
Hue, 17.05.2016

2. Outline
2
 Introduction
 The Holistic Approach to Sustainability
 Ecovillages - Sustainability in Practice
 Challenges to Ecovillages
 Conclusions

3. Introduction

4. 4
• 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?

5. 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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6. 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.
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7. Ecovillages around the World
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(Source: GEN)

8. The Holistic Approach
to
Sustainability

9. 9Source: GENI

10. 10

11. 11
“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).

12. 12
Systems View of Life

13. 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”

14. 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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15. 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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16. The Earth Charter
Values 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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17. Dimensions of Sustainability
17
GEN embraces a
holistic approach to
sustainability
encompassing the
Social, Cultural,
Ecological and
Economic dimensions
of human existence.

18. 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).

19. Spiritual Values
19
• 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.

20. Ecovillages
Sustainability in Practice

21. 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

22. The Social Dimension
Leadership 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.

23. 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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24. 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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25. 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.
25
Organic farming in
Plum Village, France

26. 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
management
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27. 27
Symbiotic Development Model in Govardhan Ecovillage, India

28. The Economic Dimension
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(Source: http://upstreampolicy.org)
Fair, Just, Regenerative Economy

29. The Economic Dimension
Economic Vitality means:
• Promoting sustainable local economy
• Social enterprises and society profit
• Sharing and collaborative
consumption
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30. Challenges
to
Ecovillages

31. 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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32. Conclusions

33. • 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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34. 34
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

35. 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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36. Thank you for your attention!
Questions & Discussion