Minutes of the Council meeting:
Torri Superiore, November 2000

Present members:Agnieszka Komoch, Lebensgarten, Germany (President)
Lucilla Borio, Torri Superiore, Italy (Secretary)
Mete Hacaloglu, Harman, Turkey (Treasurer)
Jean Michel Pochat, French EV network (Member)
absent: Lepre Viola, Federazione di Damanhur, Italy (Member)

Present staff: Cristina Evangelisti and Kasimir Reichmuth

The agenda is discussed and organised after a few minutes of attunement and sharing.

 

AGENDA OF THE MEETING:

A) Institutional aspects of the GEN-Europe Association

- General secretariat report
- Legal aspects of the association
- Revision of memberships
- Meeting agenda for 2001:the General Assembly 2001 in Poland in July (general program and practical organisation)
- Revision of the Lakabe Council meeting decisions, ratification of the minutes

B) Financial strategy and analysis

- Report on budget/finances up to October 2000 and financial analysis
- Sale of material: directory, videos, others
- Strategies and guidelines for the Fundraising Committee (21 Nov)

C) Activities and projects

- Update on the internet situation (Sitebuilder database, pages for national networks)
- Newsletter (next issue of the GEN Intl. Magazine, national editions)
- Ecovillage Tourism and volunteer program
- Support to production of national ecovillage directories (Italy, Spain, others)
- ICSA conference in Zegg, July 2001
- Update on West Africa: support to "Twin villages" (Torri Superiore, Damanhur, others); progress with the Living and learning Centre and EcoYoff
- Educational policy
- Report from the Gentle Power meeting in Damanhur by Lucilla and Cristina
- News from the national networks
- Education programs

D) Revision of budget and allocation of funds

E) Discussion of the "GEN charter and strategic plan for year 2000"

- Update on International Secretariat and future plans for GEN

F) Miscellaneous

- A proposal from C.R.I.C. about Albania
- Kurdistan
- Proposals from Lepre Viola/Damanhur

A) Institutional Aspects of the association

General secretariat report (see the document at web page http://www.gaia.org/secretariats/geneurope/reports/rep_sec.2000.html)
The activity report on July/September 2000 was sent in before the meeting to allow all members to have the necessary overview.
Lucilla supplements the report with additional information:
She has tried to develop a relationship with a fair trade organization (CTM-Altromercato), develop the EV tourism program with
Kasimir and the "Twin Villages" plan with Africa. She is responsible of the service node and works full time (35 hr/week).
Cristina created a magazines database with over 100 entries. She mainly works with the GEN-Europe mail (electronic and paper mail), takes care of memberships and fees, answers questions and provides necessary information for members. She also created a standard answer to the African contacts. Cristina covers a few administrative tasks (budgets and payments) and general office organisation. She works 35 hrs/week.

Kasimir joined the team on November 1st. He works on following activities:
- GEN-Europe multilingual newsletter, co-ordinating the collection of articles and sending the material out to the GEN Intl. Office and to the national correspondents;
- other publications (brochures) and website management;
- ecovillage tourism and volunteer work-camps program.
He works part time (18 hrs/week).

Legal aspects of the association
Lucilla presented the stamped copy of the of GEN-Europe´s Italian articles of association which was finally released by the Registration Office, and cheered by the Council with applause and a toast. The accounts were presented in an audited form and will be revised in Euros for the July 99/July 00 period.

Revision of membership
Cristina report on membership statuts: to this date, there are 22 full members with voting right (15 of which have just renewed their membership fee), 18 EV Initiatives and about 20 individual EV supporters (both with advisory vote).

Criteria for having a membership status
According to the Articles of the GEN-Europe Association registered in Italy, we have only the full member category (with vote) which includes ecovillages and national networks (which link at least 2 EVs).
The Ecovillage Supporters category (the old "associate" category) is made up by individuals and ecovillage initiatives (starting EVs, related projects, new applicants). This second category does not have the right to vote at the assembly.

Criteria of being/becoming an EV
The GEN-Europe Council establishes a clear list of criteria to define what an ecovillage is. A fully established ecovillage:
- should have a common purpose and vision;
- should have a community with a membership structure and a decision making process;
- people should live together on the land;
- should aim at the creation of a new culture with a balance in the spiritual, social and ecological aspects;
- should strive to have a dynamic village structure with commercial enterprises, educational programs, gathering spaces, local government, spiritual/cultural activities.


Decision: the procedure to become a GEN-Europe full member should be the following:
- the applicant has to fill in the questionnaire (the "16 criteria" EV-profile) and send it to the service node;
- the applying full members should agree to the criteria in the profile.

The ecovillage definition written by Declan (page 14 of the Directory of Ecovillages in Europe) combined with Hildur´s latest definition will be inserted in the letter to all new members. They should sign a letter saying they agree to the Articles of Association (which will be sent in English), the criteria in the profile and the criteria defined by the GEN-E Council.

Mete suggested that we contact as many Ecovillage initiatives as possible and offer them to become members of GEN-Europe. This proposal is accepted by the Council.

Support to members
The Council addresses the question whether GEN-Europe can support members financially (paying for experience weeks in other ecovillages). The conclusion is that single projects should refer to their National Network and organise a network project which GEN-E can support on a national level with different contributions (advertising, website, asking for reduced rates at hosting ecovillages etc).
The Council agrees to keep working on the subject of supporting new ecovillages. At the moment we do not have a defined strategy but will always put this topic on our agenda (for Council meetings and assembly).
Lucilla will report the results of the RIVE network self-help strategy. Jean-Michel also suggest to enhance human contact and support education; he volunteers to visit Terre d´Enneille and try to meet Christina de Wilde and Benoit Laduron to clear the air after the polemics on the Gaia Trust money.
Agnieszka explains how in the past GEN-E had serious problems with ecovillages which received direct support while others did not, causing competition among ecovillages and decreasing their participation in the network.Declan and Agnieszka then decided that single ecovillages would not be helped financially but national networks could receive support.

Meeting agenda for 2001

The General Assembly 2001
Lucilla presents the description of the Polish Community Wolimierz, interested in organising the next GEN-E assembly. They are situated near the town of Jelenia Gora, close to the Czeck border; the description of their community sounds very interesting and creative.
Agnieszka will visit them in January and see how they are set up and what is to be done.

Decisions made concerning the next G.A.:
- we can call the meeting an "Ecovillage gathering"
- invitation should be sent to all European ecovillages, which can then become members at the assembly;
- the meeting should be open to ecovillage residents, networks members and ecovillage supporters;
- there will be an official part open only to the GEN-Europe members;
- special attention should be dedicated to Russian ecovillages to help them set up an active network
- the next Council meeting (possibly at the beginning of April) should take care of the practical organisation.

Suggestions that came up from a brainstorming session are to organise:
- an open market for participants,
- a ecological theatre workshop with the community inhabitants
- practical workgroups
- a workgroup on facilitation

Decision: the GEN-E assembly will take place in the period between July 1st and 8th. It will last 5 days, the last day being an open day for all the public.

Other meetings and conferences in 2001

The German "Come Together Network" meeting will take place from July 1 to 8, 2001, and Agnieszka would like to attend.
The ICSA conference in Zegg (Germany) is planned for June 25/29; Lucilla was invited by the President Bill Metcalf as a speaker, and Mete is also interested to attend. Lucilla will write to Prof. Metcalf and ask him if GEN-Europe can have a larger participation.
Lebensgarten offers the community of ZEGG a lend of the "Ecovillages Worldwide" exhibition that Lebensgarten made for the EXPO

The next Council meeting: A possible candidate is Kibbutz Lotan in Israel. A meeting in Israel would be instrumental for the setting up of the Middle East node coordinated by Mete, and comprising Israel, Greece, Arab countries, Caucasus, plus all Turkish speaking countries of the region and the Balkans (all Muslim). A serious fundraising plan will have to be elaborated by the fundraising committee. Mete has the task to check all details with David Dolev and report to the Council. The meeting will extend over maximum four days + 2 days for site visits and local meetings. The final decision will be made according to the budget funds available.

Revision of the Lakabe Council meeting decisions, ratification of the minutes

The minutes of the G.A. and the Lakabe Council Meeting were read and signed.

B) Financial strategy and analysis

- Lucilla explained the July-September spreadsheets.
- Mete suggests that we freeze part of our assets. Lucilla already made the first arrangements to locate GEN-Europe´s money in this bank. She has also talked to the general director of the Italian Ethical Bank (Matteo Passini) about to opening a line of credit for ecovillages.
- The Council requests that special funds (as Tourism, Africa, needy projects) be accounted separately.
- Agnieszka asks to add a column to specify the difference between the budget and actual on a yearly basis.
- The volunteer work-camp program is not costly to GEN-E but also not financially rewarding. There are reasonable fund-raising chances for special volunteer programs or educational visits to ecovillages.
Normally workcamps can be fundraised for by the local group who organizes it (through municipalities, local shops and supermarkets).

Sale of material
- The directory will be offered to all members for 10 DEM again, if they buy a minimum of 20 books. The English edition of Eurotopia can be sold directly by Silke or Agnieszka with little involvement of the office.
- Sales of garments or other gadgets are normally not good money makers and shall not be pursued at the moment.
- Sales: Mete sold books, pins and magazines at the Istanbul fair and will communicate the total income to the Council; he will keep the balance to cover related costs.

Strategies and guidelines for the fundraising committee
The Council identified following needs of GEN-Europe:
- office costs and administration
- subregional nodes (Middle East, Africa)
- travels for network activities (meetings, visits)
- volunteer program / ecotourism
- educational programs
- publications / PR
- meetings and assemblies
- national network support.

The fundraising meeting will be held on the 20.11.00 and will include also Manuela Vullo and Cuno Becking who have training and experience in the field. Lucilla will give a general overview of the situation and Agnieszka will present our needs in terms of fundraising.

C) Activities

Newsletter: the service node collected the articles and sent them to Karen in GEN-International to be included in the global newsletter.
GEN-Europe will pay for a share of the costs yet to be determined.
Council members will need at least 100 copies of the magazine, the secretariat needs 400 or 500 (total 1000).

Ecovillage Tourism (EV Travels) and volunteer program:
Report by Kasimir (GEN-Europe program focaliser) This project has two parts: the commercial part and the volunteer part; at them moment there are 12 EVs interested in this programme. Networks can also take part in the EV Travels programme. Kasimir collects the info from the EVs until the end of November to start the first exchanges next summer. Step 1 will involve a
selection of reliable EVs and small initial profit is expected. The "EV Travels" catalogue should be ready in February 2001. This programme will be coupled up with GEN-Europe as long as Torri hosts the service node, providing office facilities at the lowest possible costs; a new computer will be bought in a few days. Kasimir will visit the Legambiente office in Rome for a two-week training on booking and placements. The Council should afterwards decide on the future steps, looking into the possibility that it could develop into a for-profit venture for Torri and/or GEN-Europe. Mete suggest to include in the project complementary currency exchange; Lucilla points out about the different characteristics of eco-villages and the need to give clear information, in order to avoid problems with the "wrong" kind of tourists; Jean Michel underlines that these differences make up a unique combination to be offered to motivated travelers.

Decision: The Eco-Village Travel Pilot Project will be kept under the supervision of the GEN-Europe Council for the full benefit of eco-villages and the network itself. Decisions concerning allocation of profit will be made after the first year (in winter 2001).

Africa programs:
Lucilla reports about the progress achieved in the region. Max Lindegger is closely related to South Africa as a Permaculture
consultant, but GEN-OA has never been asked to set up a network in the area; this situation could be discussed at the next Board meeting to see how we can help the South African ecovillages develop a network.
East Africa is not responding for a potential local node at the moment, as Ulrike Neubert was offered funding for a meeting but never applied.
West Africa offers a better situation: Demba Mansaré from Senegal/Guinea attended the French network meeting. Lucilla visited
the Colufifa network in March 2000 and the "Twin Villages Project" started, as the local interest and reaction was very positive. The first result is the Torri Superiore mission to Guinea to build Solar Dryers in December 2000. This project was developed with support from the Department of Agriculture of the Turin State University. A computer will be bought and sent to the Colufifa network using money from the "Fund for Africa". On the other hand, Eco-Yoff in Dakar (Senegal) is also looking for European partners to work jointly as a Twin Village, and GEN-E should help them to find a good match.

Gaia Villages and GEN-Europe would like to organise a network conference in Dakar, as Senegal is in a good position to set up a network and hopefully get a local service node going in EcoYoff. Lucilla will probably meet Philip Snyder of Gaia Villages in Dakar in early January 2001 and discuss with Marian Zeitlin of EcoYoff the development of the Living and Learning Centre and the organisation of the network meeting.
Jean Michel talks about a project based on an existing rural village in Mauritania, and says that the village should be supported. Its representatives will be invited to the network meeting. Jean Michel suggests that the French network should have a specific relationship with Africa

Education policy:
Agnieszka reports on website pages for educational activities, which are constantly updated with content provided by the service node. She suggest that as GEN-Europe we offer training on the holistic aspect of ecovillage living, which can be either community glue or ecovillage design course (1 week course) instead of focusing on courses that only have to do with single elements of ecovillage life.
Mete underlines that we should also support specific requests coming from ecovillages instead of proposing courses from top down.
The Findhorn Ecovillage Training course is a development of the training started in Lebensgarten in 1997, which was extended by the Findhorn Foundation into a monthly seminar. GEN-Europe will support some members to attend, so far we have one ecovillage resident (Ulysses) and a few other candidates. The deadline is set for November 30, and Lucilla will report to the Council with a list of all applications.

The Council tries to define a clear educational policy for the next period:
- We want to support ecovillage training programs proposed by our members, in a way that radiates to other network members with a multiplying effect, and making sure that educational activities cover different parts of Europe. Our support could be given in terms of advertisement, matching contacts (finding the right teachers), consultancy on the organisational part, inclusion in the tourism catalogue.
- We would also like to start a GEN-Europe educational program which in the long run should bring revenue to the organisation. Some educational funds can be invested in this program for the first two years. The first course could be on "Ecovillage Design" right before or after the General Assembly in Poland.

News from National Networks:

Italy (RIVE, Lucilla) The next meeting will be on November 25/26 in a new member village (Lumen). The developments are good: eight new projects will join the meeting for an open consultancy day on different problems posed by starting ecovillages (finances, legal structure, community glue etc). It is a "self-help" formula where experienced ecovillage residents can give direct support to new initiatives, at zero cost; this pattern, if successful, can be extended to other networks.
The RIVE would appreciate some financial help for the production an ecovillage directory in Italian.

Turkey (EKILAT , Mete) They just had a meeting by the Sea in the South. After the good start in '96 with the Habitat Conference, the network experienced problems due to personal relations and people moving back to the city. Near Ankara there is a new group (the Sun Group) with Demet Irkli. The Eco Foca community has now built 4 houses, but people don´t live together yet. There is another project near Fetya, in a very touristic area, started by a friend of Sidika´s. Ekilat organised the straw-bale house seminar and the three-day Permaculture course with Jan Martin Bang. There is a small bursary fund to send activists to different European ecovillages and Israel. The Istanbul Fair was a great success, even after the earthquake, and the GEN stand (organised mostly by Harman, Mete´s association and the driving force behind the network) had a good
attendance. They now employ one part-time coordinator (Olcay) and intend to focus on direct training in ecovillages to encourage the birth of new projects in Turkey.

Israel (Mete): Jan Bang (who moved back to Norway) told him that the Kibbutz Gezer - comprising 8 kibbutzim - is not doing very well, as communal living is declining into constant privatization. The only exception is Lotan in the Negev desert close to Jordan; all the settlements where built in the 80´s by the government and are working on specific topics. Agnieszka suggested to restart our relation with the Green Kibbutz movement - especially Kibbutz Lotan - through the Ekilat network. Even a Council meeting in Israel would be a good idea.

France (RFEV, Jean-Michel) The August network meeting was a positive experience with very good feedback, in spite of a few initial problems. The most important starting projects are Mon Bel, La Chataigne, the Societe cooperative and Bertrand Olivier' s group near Nice. The most relevant request would be to visit other ecovillages in Europe and to have consultancy on group dynamic and educational activities (like permaculture courses). Lucilla proposes to organise free consultancy days for existing projects during the next French meeting, and to help starting projects to visit other ecovillages (making arrangements and requesting they pay only cost price).
Good contacts were established with a Mauritanie green organisation in a meeting held in October. Help for a new newsletter is asked from GEN-E; they already have the
"Passarelle Eco" which deals more with Lets systems than ecovillages.

Germany (Come Together Network, Agnieszka): the work is going well, a new newsletter was published and the next summer meeting organised. This network does not use the GEN server any more. Although there are other community networks in Germany, the Come Together network alone has a membership of at least 100 members. Kasimir will be in contact with Agnieszka about the eco-tourism and newsletter cooperation.
Jean-Michel proposed to set up an exchange with consultancy purposes between the French network and the fully established German communities.

Poland (Agnieszka): they had a meeting last summer where they offered to host the 2001 GEN-Europe assembly in Wolimierz. The network is composed of Dambrowka, Wolimierz, another village (which wants to keep its name secret), and some new ones which recently joined. The network publishes a newsletter which is our regional GEN-Europe correspondent.

Spain: Ulysses reported to the office that the summer meeting led to the creation of RIE (Red Iberica de Ecoaldeas) and proposes to join efforts with the Portuguese ecovillages. The Madrid meeting in November was attended by a dozen ecovillages and decided to join GEN-Europe.

Denmark: The LØS is a very active organisation (contacts with the secretary Allan Elm are constant) and just had a meeting at the GEN-Intl. office. Lucilla wrote to Allan explaining the situation of the Danish candidate to the Council (Inse Frese), who was not elected because she was not present at the assembly.
After Thomas Sejersen, a Danish representative, withdrew from the Council, GEN-Europe is seeking another way of connecting with LÖS.

Greece: no network as yet, just Tina and Harald in Evia, plus Liisa Jaskelainen (former EV of Keuruu, Finland) who joined them. Lucilla has a good contact with the director of the local volunteer chapter and will pass it on to Mete.

Mete also sent material to Iran and Egypt with no response so far. No contacts yet in Albania, Macedonia and the Caucasus (the region extends as far as China). Mete is willing to follow up on this region because it is closely connected to Turkey (see Eric's proposal below); he will also explore the Peace Ecovillage in Cyprus, which Philip has just visited.

Portugal: Tamera (a German settlement) is the only existing EV; two active Portuguese guys (Filipe Espina and Pedro Macedo) are in contact with Tamera and with each other to get a network going.

Austria: Martin Kirchner who attended the Lakabe meeting is trying to develop the movement and asked for support; Kasimir is translating the GEN brochure into German and will send it over for distribution.

England (EVNUK): although the contact with Tony Gosling has drastically improved after the assembly (he also sent information useful for our fundraising committee), we still have very little information about the forty members listed on the Evnuk website; we can ask Tony to inform us with greater detail, or contact the members directly from the office.

The Council revised the strategy chosen at the beginnings of GEN-Europe to become a network of networks. The relationship between GEN-E / national networks and GEN-Europe / individual ecovillages needs to be redefined. This discussion will be a subject for the next Council meeting, to be possibly continued at the general assembly.

Report from the GEN-tle power meeting in Damanhur (by Lucilla) The meeting had no set agenda. Representatives from Denmark (LÖS), Zegg, Italy and Damanhur Federation were present. Zegg brought a manifesto to be discussed at the meeting, as the result of the previous gathering at their community. Hildur intended to discuss GEN issues more deeply, but the interests were divided and many subjects were proposed. Lucilla left the meeting one day early and could not report on the conclusions.

Exhibition and slideshow:
Exhibition: The Council is considering to produce a photo exhibition on European ecovillages. The costs could be included in our fundraising applications. Agnieszka will check the cost of printing of 10 posters of the size of 70cm x 110cm, using the material already available from the EXPO 2000 exhibition.
A Video on European ecovillages is requested by Jean-Michel.

Slideshow: The Council decides to make a European slideshow covering 10 EVs in 30 slides. The costs of 4 copies will be appox. DM 300,- and will be covered by the GEN-Europe budget. Ecovillages which should be present in the show: Torri, Lebensgarten, Ekilat, Damanhur, Findhorn, Tamera, Lakabe, Hjortshöj, 3 slides from Africa, Kibbutzim, a Polish or Russian EV.

D) Revision of budget and allocation of funds

Fundraising:
We allocate DM 350,- per month for Manuela Vullo´s consultancy on fundraising for the first six months. She will research on funding possibilities from private foundations.
Another DM 2500,- is allocated to Agnieszka to finish the EU application (from the Envronmental DG).

Travel:
DM 1000,- is allocated for Jean-Michel to visit Terre d´Enneille and Paix Dieu in Belgium.
DM 1200,- is allocated to establish relationships with ecovillage projects in Kurdistan.

Allocations "Council members"budget line.
Jean-Michel will possibly participate in the network meeting in West Africa whenever it is established.

EV directories
The Spanish and the Italian networks have to come up with a proposal asking for funding for national editions.

Web
The Council requests that Rolf look into the issue of e-mail reliability. E-mails have a few times either gotten lost or delayed. Lucilla will contact him to see where the problem originates.

E) Discussion of the "GEN charter and strategic plan for year 2000"

- Update on International Secretariat and future plans for GEN:
We should air these aspects in larger detail on the general assemblies. Historically, GEN has two parallel souls: the grassroots soul, that feels GEN is its creation, and would therefore like to influence the decision-making power in GEN; and its counterpart that comes from the funders who have a strong participation in the movement and at the international level. How to merge the two in a satisfactory and sustainable way has always been a challenge for GEN.

GEN charter and strategic plan for year 2000" prepared by Phillip, Ross and Hildur. The document proposes a few options for the future structure of GEN. Discussions start with the presented Charter, which after a long and participated discussion it is revised as follows:

"Purpose and mission: We want to support a culture of solidarity, mutual acceptance and tolerance, playing a catalytic role through living examples and educational outreach, providing the appropriate communication tools in the world-wide progress towards sustainability.

Vision: We envision a planetary network of diverse, self-reliant local structures living in sustainable, harmonious, communal and equitable relationships where everybody is seen and heard and live respectfully and mindfully with one another and with the Earth.

Core Values: Harmony, diversity, love, peace, humbleness, global equity and justice; respect for people and life on Earth in all forms and fulfilment of the basic needs for all; inner development of humanity and mutual solidarity regardless of social class or status, gender, race, nationality, creed or religion; celebration of life through art and creativity.

What is an ecovillage: An ecovillage is an intentional community formed by groups of people motivated by ecological, spiritual and social background. All three motivations merge into a systemic, holistic approach to sustainable living. Ecovillages have a
membership and a decision making body, and their population normally ranges from 20 to 300 persons. Traditional villages have often kept a social structure intact and may decide to evolve into ecovillages.

What is GEN: GEN stands for "Global Ecovillage Network" and is a world-wide organization of national networks, individual ecovillages and supporters of the movement.

Our long term strategy is transformation by example, supporting:
- the development of ecovillages and sustainable communities world wide
- the creation of international, regional and national networks of ecovillages
- the promotion of global services like web-sites, newsletters, consultancy, funding systems
- the growth of a vital system of experiential learning ("Living and Learning Centres" and ecovillage training courses)
- representation of sustainable communities and sustainable living in public forums at all levels
- partnerships with organisations and people who share our vision.


The Council engages in a long and detailed analysis of the present structure and ideal development of GEN according to the GEN-Europe perspective.

This is the final agreement the Council came to:
GEN-Europe is composed by ecovillages and networks which elect the Council with a democratic procedure. The secretariat and the Council interact to carry out all network activities, as the secretariat role is to help EVs to network and connect to each other. Presently the secretariat is also carrying out parallel programs (like the EV tourism project). In the long run, we see the need to separate the two levels and create a "Resource and Development Committee" (appointed and supervised by the Council) which supplies a professional advisory role and respects the democratic process.

This committee should:
- fundraise money
- manage new programs launched by the Council.

With reference to Philip´s "GEN development report overview" the Council does not believe in dividing the grassroots approach from possible financial development, and going either in one direction or the other, but rather in merging the grassroots organisation with a healthy and organic financial development.

The proposed structure of GEN-Intl. after June 30, 2001:
The existing ecovillage networks worldwide create their independent committees which focus on consultancy, education, fundraising etc., in order to fund their own regions and programs. Regional network representatives meet once a year (or every second year) to analyse programs, organise and implement training, exchange information, etc. The meeting coordination and organisation rotates between the existing regional secretariats which take on this task up to the next meeting. Budgets for meetings come from the presently existing Board meeting budgets; for co-ordination come from the existing Gaia Trust funds, until the regions can support it autonomously through fundraising or fund-earning. Fundraising for the regions should happen mostly on the regional level.

The elements that keep the organisation global are:
- a common vision, core values and mission statement;
- logo, name, graphic elements;
- global publications and website (with shared costs) cured by appointed committees.

At least for the moment we don´t see any particular trans-regional program as a crucial part of our identity. We are in favour of
following up on existing programs (like the Living and Learning Centres) but not to launch new ones on the global level. As a general policy, programs should emerge from the needs and wishes of the regions.

On the UN level, we suggest that GEN changes strategy from the top UN politician to concentrate more on regional development and empower local initiatives to refer to UNDP or UNEP for funding. GEN has invested a relevant amount of resources on the UN work, and we now see it important to focus on the regional development. We need to have more detailed information on the benefits of the ECOSOC status to be able to judge the real outcome and potential of the UN work done until now.

The GEN-Europe Council advocates for a transparent decision-making process at all levels, accepted and respected by all participants as a necessary basis to build a democratic structure.

E) Miscellaneous

A proposal from CRIC/ Eric van Monchoven about Albania.
Eric van Monchoven sent in a request of support for the development of 10 rural villages in Macedonia. He writes:

"I'm presently in Albania to prepare a proposal of rural village development in (...) a trans-boundary area between Albania, Macedonia and Greece of great natural beauty and diversity (where) the pressure on the environment is very high (...). The three national governments included this area in a system of protected areas which needs to be improved. The project would be submitted by CRIC to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Italy (duration: 3 years). Local partners are two national NGOs ( one environmental organisation, one women organisation) with whom CRIC collaborates since many years.
(...)
There is a strong need for eco-village and permaculture design, solar energy, and I would appreciate knowing if GEN could support such activities (to be implemented in 2001) and the conditions/modalities of support application. We plan to implement the project in 6 to 12 villages(...)"

The Council agrees to give visibility to this project through our website and newsletter. Mete would like to establish a partnerships, develop contacts with this project and see how we could get involved. Agnieszka will contact Declan Kennedy to see who could be a good trainer for the villages. This program could be supported through the remaining "funds for needy projects" (approx. DEM 3000,-). We will get back to this plan at the next Council meeting to define the conditions and practical actions.

Kurdistan
After the PKK leader was caught, the government decided to support the Turkish part of Kurdistan and promote the social and economic growth in the area. Quite a number of development projects are starting with UNDP and EU help. The building of huge dam on the Euphrates River is changing the living conditions of many traditional farmers in Kurdistan. There is a need to build new settlements and change approach to agriculture.
Kurdistan is an important topic for GEN-Europe, and the political situation of this region raised a discussion at the last general
assembly. The initial phase would be to find EV initiatives and potential partner NGOs.

Proposals from Lepre Viola/Damanhur
1. Educational programme: We could come up with a curriculum of courses to be held in different communities. Agnieszka says that GEN-Europe tried to do it in 1998 from the Lebensgarten office, with not so positive results. Her proposal is to develop a long term educational strategy to train teachers that could later teach others (in the e.g. Balkans, Kurdistan) with a cascading effect. We need an updated list of possible EVs and course subjects. Kasimir will investigate on this within the tourism venture and report to the Council.

2. Civil protection course for ecovillage residents: this idea might be useful both in Italy and Turkey. The Council suggests that
Damanhur organise a course on Civil Protection for the Italian network as a first practical implementation of their proposal.

Discussion of the internet situation is will take place on the Council´s e-mail list

At 20.00 the meeting is closed with a "compost-hug" and a moment of silence.

Minutes kindly taken by Agnieszka Komoch, Mete Hacaloglu, Lucilla
Borio and edited by Lucilla Borio and Agnieszka Komoch.