Building alliances for
a sustainable future
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003
| 2002 | 2001
2000
| 1999 | 1998
| 1997 | 1996
| 1995 | 1994
| 1992
2010
February 2010
CIFAL Findhorn, in partnership with the United Nations Institute of Training and Research, Scottish Government and Transition Network, organized a Transition Training seminar. The event was designed to give a detailed introduction to the most important skills needed to successfully set up, develop and run a Transition Town, which is a citizen-led model for towns to progress their own ways of reducing CO2 and energy consumption.
2009
June 2009
Retrofitting your Home seminar, organized by CIFAL Findhorn in partnership with the United Nations Institute of Training and Research, Energy Saving Trust, Transition Town Forres and the Scottish Government explored the different ways of making older buildings more energy efficient and reducing their carbon footprint as well as running costs. The seminar attracted wide interest from the Northeast region. The total of 12 delegates comprised private individuals, Council members and Construction companies.
March 2009
UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development, Bonn, Germany. In December 2002, by Resolution 59/237, the UN General Assembly declared the years 2005-2014 the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD). The aim of this worldwide endeavour is to integrate the principles, values and practices of sustainable development into all education and learning. Five years into the implementation of the DESD, the World Conference on ESD provided an opportunity to examine the contribution of ESD in the effort to achieve quality education for all, provide a platform for international exchange on ESD, review progress achieved, and develop strategies for the way ahead for the Decade.
2008
November 2008
Food Security: A Bioregional Response seminar, organised by CIFAL Findhorn in partnership with United Nations Institute of Training and Research, Soil Association Scotland and the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society explored the key issues relating to all aspects of food security and examined how the involvement of local communities can contribute to food security. Participants learnt about a range of emerging and novel locally-based food distribution schemes and visited three local farms engaged in bioregional food development. Participants of the seminar comprised public sector officials, private persons but also food producers and retailers.
June 2008
Low and Zero Carbon Housing seminar, organized by CIFAL Findhorn in partnership with the United Nations Institute of Training and Research, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Moray Council and WWF addressed how the construction of zero carbon buildings and the retrofitting of existing buildings offer some of the most cost-effective and most immediate strategies in response to climate change. It also examined how the building industry is adapting to the rising demand for cutting edge construction techniques and energy saving solutions and it tackled the technical, legislative and community implications for new build, retrofitting, infrastructure and community planning. The seminar was attended by Sustainable Development Officers, Academics and representatives of the building sector.
2007
November 2007
The Biofuels for Sustainable Transportation seminar was organised by CIFAL Findhorn in partnership with Moray Council, CAT-Center of Alternative Technology Wales, Leonardo da Vinci Arch Network, Scottish Agricultural College and WWF. The seminar examined the rapidly growing biofuels market, addressed the potential advantages and drawbacks. It also explored the complex social, political, ecological and economic issues associated with the production and use of biofuels. Participants came from local authorities, especially the planning and transport departments, the private sector and higher education.
September 2007
The Global Climate Change and The Sustainable Energy Revolution training seminar was hosted by CIFAL Findhorn, United Nations Institute of Training and Research, Moray Council, Moray College and HICEC. The training seminar was presented in the context of the UK Government's 'Climate Change Bill', which proposes a 60 percent reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. Participants came from local authorities, especially the planning and transport departments, the private sector and higher education. The seminar enabled them to make more informed technological, policy and planning choices.
February 2007
Findhorn Foundation in partnership with The UN Values Caucus organised a talk of Rafael Nasser, member of the Center for Human Emergence on Mapping Perspectives in the Middle East at the UN New York headquarters. Rafael Nasser offered an analysis of the crisis between Israel and Palestine, reframing the Middle East conflict around values and introducing Spiral Dynamics.
February 2007
Findhorn Foundation was represented in the Gaia Education Evaluation and Planning Meeting in Thailand. Gaia Education is an international consortium of educators developing curricula and courses on ecovillage design and sustainable community development. Gaia Education EDE programme is an official contribution to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development and is spreading the message of low impact and carbon neutral activities across the globe.
2006
November 2006
CIFAL Findhorn in partnership with United Nations Institute of Training and Research, Moray College UHI presented Sustainable Energy Solutions training session marking the launch of CIFAL Findhorn, the first UN Training Centre in Northern Europe. The Sustainable Energy Solutions training session offered a comprehensive introduction to renewable energy technologies including solar electricity, solar water heating, wind power, micro-hydro, biomass and other options and their application in urban and rural environments. Participants came from both the public and private sector and drew experience from many parts of Scotland and Europe. Some of the key issues raised were:
*There is a need to ensure taxation regimes ‘internalise the externalities’ of carbon-emitting activities as emphasised in the Stern Report on Climate Change.
*There is a good case for using green taxes to this end, especially perhaps personal carbon allowances.
* Regulatory measures such as building codes need to address the urgency of the environmental issues we face
*Attempts to increase the percentage of renewable energy generation will require a combination of private sector, individual and community action.
*Although community-owned projects maximise local economic benefits and can deliver a powerful combination of suitably scaled installations and high levels of local support, the planning regime creates significant obstacles to their development.
October 2006
Ecovillage Design Training of Trainers programme hosted 33 participants from 21 nations: China, South Africa, USA, Canada, Estonia, UK, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Thailand, Japan, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Mexico, Greece, Palestine and Iraq._ Participants, ranging from architects, scientists, artists, academics, activists, NGO workers to civil servants, designers, engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, development workers, and project managers, shared four weeks of intensive studies in social, ecological, and economic design. Ecovillage Design Education is an official contribution to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development and is spreading the message of low impact and carbon neutral activities across the globe.
September 2006
CIFAL Findhorn formally designated as UNITAR Associated Training Centre -
Representatives of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, The Moray Council, Findhorn Foundation, the UK Mission to the United Nations signed an agreement for the opening of CIFAL Findhorn, a UNITAR Associated Training Centre in Scotland. The centre, established at the Findhorn Foundation, Moray, became formally designated as part of the CIFAL network (French acronym for International Training Centres for Local Actors). This will bring regular delegations to Scotland to learn about developments in environmental planning and sustainable development. Regular seminars and trainings, hosted at the Findhorn ecovillage are aimed for local government officials and diplomats from around the world. The centre specialises in environmental policy and best practice in sustainability.
June 2006
UNITAR CIFAL Network Annual Steering Committee Meeting, Geneva, where
Alisdair Urquhart, Vice Convener of The Moray Council, May East, Director of International Relations of the Findhorn Foundation, Angus Robertson, MP were present. At this occasion Mr Marcel Boisard, UN Under Secretary-General, expressed his gratitude to the local project team who made the proposal for the Scottish Training Centre possible.
March 2006
The CIFAL Findhorn Partnership Meeting at Horizon Scotland was a partnership meeting organised by the Findhorn Foundation in conjunction with the technical visit of Bernard Hoarau, Director of UNITAR CIFAL network, to evaluate the possibility of CIFAL Findhorn becoming the twelfth CIFAL Training centre worldwide. Participants including representatives of The Moray Council, HIE Moray, Oxford Brooks University, Dundee University, Brian Burns Associates, Bank of Scotland, Talisman Energy extended their support.
March 2006
Findhorn Foundation in partnership with UN Values Caucus organised a talk of Terence Hay-Edie from GEF Small Grants Programme in UNDP, Protecting the Treasures of the Earth: the World Heritage Convention as an enchanted network, at UN New York headquarters. The outlook of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention reflects a scale of universality that seeks to recognise natural, cultural and sacred sites of paramount importance for all of humanity. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in Nepal, India, China and Mali, the presentation explored the possibility of World Heritage holding the “memory for the world”.
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2005
December
2005
May East, Michael Shaw and partners from the Global
Ecovillage Network, delivered a first training session
Ecovillages: New Approaches to Urban Regeneration
within the framework of a pilot year of CIFAL Findhorn.
The session, hosted by CIFAL Curitiba Brazil, presented
an integrated model for sustainability, as a resource
to inspire the imagination of urban planners and mayors
from Latin America and the Caribbean, and to encourage
environmentally responsible design and development of
Latin American cities.
Topics explored included:
* Ecological building applied in popular housing
* Renewable energy systems
* Reduction of fossil fuels using biodiesel and biogas
* Low footprint natural wastewater treatment
* Rainwater collection and use
* Biodiversity in cities as ecosystems
October
2005
Findhorn Foundation, in partnership with Global Ecovillage
Network, presented the international conference Ecovillages:
New Frontiers for Sustainability. The conference,
an official contribution to the United Nations Decade
of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) 2005-2014,
had a fourfold purpose:
* A celebration of the first 10 years of the ecovillage
movement, as well as a view to its future
* A showcase of sustainable communities and ecovillage
projects which contribute not only to environmental
health and wellbeing, but also strengthen local economies
and communities
* The official launch of a new global education curriculum
for sustainable human settlements - Ecovillage Designer
Education (EDE) endorsed by UNITAR
* An open forum of ecovillages and sustainability designers,
exploring new frontiers for sustainability
September 2005
A delegation of three members represented the Findhorn
Foundation at the 58th Annual DPI/NGO Conference,
entitled Our Challenge, Voices for Peace, Partnerships
and Renewal at the United Nations Headquarters,
New York. The Findhorn Foundation in partnership with
The Poverty Initiative at Union Theological Seminary,
Kiwanis International and the United States Fund for
UNICEF sponsored a Midday Workshop on the theme Living
in Peace, Envisioning Abundance: Youth Effecting Global
Change by Strengthening Communities. The workshop featured
insights from youth representatives involved in global
projects to end poverty, eliminate iodine deficiency,
stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and strengthen local communities.
June 2005
Findhorn Foundation hosted a 3-day UNITAR CIFAL
Network Technical Visit for three delegates
from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research
(UNITAR) - Christophe Nuttal, Helio Amaral, and Charlotte
Diez - to evaluate the possibility of Findhorn becoming
one of the UNITAR Associated Training Centers. Meetings
with our management team and trustees, a tour The Park
and Cluny Hill College, and a special community sharing
were held. The UN delegates each gave a presentation
to the community. The Findhorn Foundation has been collaborating
with UNITAR since 1998 and with the CIFAL Network since
its inception, delivering sessions on the ecovillage
concept to mayors and urban planners at CIFAL training
centres. The acronym CIFAL signifies International Training
Centre for Local Authorities/Actors (in French: Centre
International de Formation des Autorités/Acteurs
Locaux). A roadmap document for CIFAL Findhorn implementation
was drafted and adopted.
April 2005
May East, director of international relations for the
Findhorn Foundation and the Global Ecovillage Network,
participated in the UNITAR Steering Committee
Meeting of the Decentralised Cooperation Programme of
UNITAR. The meeting had two stages: the Technical
Segment to consolidate the foundations of the CIFAL
Network and the Institutional Segment, at Geneva, to
present and adopt the principles of the DCP and CIFAL
Network strategy, 2006-2008, towards meeting the Millennium
Development Goals.
March 2005
Findhorn Foundation participated in the launch of the
United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable
Development (UNDESD) in New York. The United
Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
(2005-2014) aims to see Education for Sustainable Development
implemented in thousands of local situations on the
ground, integrating the principles of sustainable development
into a multitude of different learning situations. Over
the next 10 years the Findhorn Foundation will be working
closely with UNESCO, the agency which leads UNDESD,
designing and delivering programmes to complement, correspond
with, and assist in setting a standard for the decade.
February
2005
Findhorn Foundation hosted the 7th
Ecovillage Training. Most of the participants
were community and ecovillage leaders earnestly committed
to establishing sustainable lifestyles in their regions.
The programme was designed based on the UN impulse towards
the promotion of basic principles of sustainable economic
and social development.
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2004
November 2004
Findhorn Foundation in association with Values Caucus
hosted a special DPI/NGO Briefing Session
at the United Nations New York headquarters with guest
speaker Bill Harris, Spiral Dynamics : A new model for
understanding the values that shape our world.
September 2004
Second World Urban Forum- Barcelona.
Findhorn Foundation and GEN in partnership with UNITAR's
CIFAL Network held a networking session, Sustainable
Cities and Villages. Through a synergetic group dialogue
process we looked at how to improve the service that
the CIFAL Network - a network of international training
centres - is rendering to the international community,
by training local authorities towards building sustainable
cities and villages. We looked at how, over the next
few years, we would work within the context of implementation
of the Millennium Development Goals, particularly MDG
1, 6, 7 and 8.
In this dialogue Findhorn Foundation, who has been involved
in the design and delivery of ecovillage training sessions
within the CIFAL Network, presented the ecovillage model
as a viable solution to eradication of poverty and degradation
of the environment, while combining a supportive social-cultural
environment and low-impact lifestyle.
September 2004
The Findhorn Foundation, in association with the
International Holistic University and Education for
Peace Globalnet, hosted at Findhorn an international
conference Connectivity and Syncronicity
as a contribution to the UN International Decade for
the Culture of Peace. The event brought together leading
visionaries including scientists, artists, social activists
and spiritual teachers, to explore how are we advancing
the agenda of a culture of peace through networks and
connectivity.
Ms Antonella Verdiani, from the Section of Education
for Peace and Human Rights, Education Sector, participated
as a representative of UNESCO delivering a paper on
Transdisciplinary Education: a Way to Peace.
September 2004
A delegation of four members represented the Findhorn
Foundation in the 57th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
at United Nations Headquarters, New York. Theme of the
Conference: Millennium Development Goals: Civil Society
Takes Action.
Out of the 30 Midday NGO Interactive Workshops, the
Findhorn Foundation officially participated in three
plenary panels and one NGO hearing session. These were:
* The Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions of the Millennium
Development Goals in collaboration with the NGO Committee
on Values, Spirituality and Global Concern. Facilitation
John Clausen & Frances Edwards
* Innovative ways for Achieving the Millennium Development
Goals: Zero Hunger Programme
* Ecovillage Agriculture: Promoting Sustainable Use
of Natural Resources in association with The Lifebridge
Foundation/USA, Fundacion Eudes/Mexico and the Global
Ecovillage Network.
August 2004
UNITAR CIFAL Center Curitiba - Third Training
Session. Michael Shaw representing Findhorn
Foundation delivered a session on ecological and ecovillage
design, including biological waste water treatment for
Latin American authorities and urban planners. One of
the priorities of the training session was to encourage
South-South cooperation between local authorities in
order to improve access to basic services. The acronym
CIFAL signifies International Training Centre for Local
Authorities/Actors (in French: Centre International
de Formation des Autorités/Acteurs Locaux).
February 2004
The 6th Findhorn Foundation Ecovillage Training
hosted 40 participants from the following countries:
Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Czech
Republic, England, Egypt, France, Hawaii, Iceland, Japan,
Korea, Myanmar, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Turkey
and USA. Most of the participants were community and
ecovillage leaders earnestly committed to establishing
sustainable lifestyles in their regions.
The programme was designed under the UN impulse towards
the promotion of basic principles of sustainable economic
and social development and has the institutional endorsement
of UNITAR - United Nations Institute of Training and
Research.
February 2004
May East, director of international relations for
the Findhorn Foundation and the Global Ecovillage Network,
participated in the UNITAR Steering Committee
Meeting of the Decentralised Cooperation Programme.
The meeting had two stages: the Technical Segment in
Divonne- des- Bains, France, with discussion and adoption
of the Ethic Charter of the CIFAL Network partnership
and the Institutional Segment, Palais des Nations, Geneva,
with presentations by the institutional partners, including
governments, intergovernmental organisations, local
authorities and their associations, NGOs, universities
and private partners.
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2003
November 2003
A Findhorn Foundation representative delivered a
session on Ecovillages - Last Frontiers for
Sustainability to 30 urban planners and mayors
from 12 Latin American countries as part of the UN Local
Capacity-Building and Training for Sustainable Urbanisation
programme. Sustainable Cities is a programme of the
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
that seeks to transform cities into self-regulating,
sustainable systems. Launched as a public-private sector
initiative at the WSSD in Johannesburg in 2002, the
initiative provides training of mayors and other local
government officials in the principles and practice
of urban sustainability.
October 2003
As a contribution to the UN International Year of
Freshwater (2003), the Findhorn Foundation and the Global
Ecovillage Network with the Earth Values Caucus, coordinated
and co-sponsored a day of events focused on water -
Water of Life: Fresh Perspectives on the World’s
Water Crisis, at the UN Headquarters in New
York City. The purpose of the day-long event was to
emphasise the intrinsic value of water as part of the
interdependent web of life and to give inspiring examples
of new approaches and solutions to global water management
crises.
Water issues were reviewed from government, UN, NGO
and technical perspectives. Art, music and ceremony
were also included. A very synergetic briefing day enthusiastically
attended by about 300 people.
October 2003
Findhorn Foundation in partnership with the Millionth
Circle Initiative and the Women’s World Summit
Foundation WWSF convened the international training
Circles of Compassion at the John Knox
International Center, Geneva. This is an educational
programme which teaches circle guidelines and leadership
skills to local actors and has a focus on developing
the quality of compassion, to help with implementing
the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
September 2003
A delegation of four members represented the Findhorn
Foundation in the 56th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
at the United Nations Headquarters, New York. Theme
of the Conference: Human Security and Dignity: Fulfilling
the Promise of the United Nations.
March 2003
May East, director of international relations for
the Findhorn Foundation and the Global Ecovillage Network,
signed an agreement for the establishment of a CIFAL
Collaborative Training Center in Curitiba for
the Latin American and Caribbean Region on Sustainable
Urbanisation - a United Nations Public-Private WSSD
Initiative Type 2 Partnership for and with Local Authorities.
The agreement was signed between UNITAR, CIFAL, the
City of Curitiba, Brazil, universities, NGOs, and private
sector partners.
A training programme, Sustainable Cities, has been conceived
for local officials in the field of access to essential
services and the professions of sustainable development
in order to promote sustainable urbanisation.
February 2003
The 5th Findhorn Foundation Ecovillage Training
hosted more than 30 participants from the following
countries: Thailand, India, Spain, Canary Islands, Japan,
Brazil, Mexico, USA, Turkey, England, Germany, Ireland,
Israel, Alaska, and Scotland. In the face of growing
poverty and increasing environmental degradation of
the planet, the United Nations, through its different
agencies and programmes is generating a sense of urgency,
commitments for action, and partnerships to achieve
measurable results.
This training, hosted in Findhorn by the Foundation,
addresses the urgent call of our times of bringing economy
back home, promoting local diversity and creating a
more just, equitable, empowered world, which aims at
the eradication of poverty in a broader sense and the
vital consolidation of sustainability on Earth.
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2002
September 2002
A delegation of five members represented the Findhorn
Foundation at the 55th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
at the United Nations Headquarters, New York. Theme
of the Conference: Rebuilding Societies Emerging from
Conflict - A Shared Responsibility. The Findhorn Foundation
in association with The Spiritual Caucus and The Values
Caucus, sponsored a midday NGO workshop on Rebuilding
Societies - A New Approach.
August 2002
The Findhorn Foundation in association with the
Global Ecovillage Network, Trees for Life and Restore
the Earth initiative participated in the United
Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development,
Johannesburg, South Africa. WSSD gathered leaders of
106 countries, delegations from 174 countries, and over
65,000 registered participants in a unique opportunity
for the peoples and nations of the world to come together
behind the common cause of caring for our shared home,
the Earth.
The Findhorn Foundation and Restore the Earth delegations
consisted of 14 people and we collaborated with the
Global Ecovillage Network delegation of a further 10
people. We offered Restore the Earth presentations in
various venues around town, held daily meditations in
association with the Spiritual and Religious Caucus
at the Ubuntu sacred site, and participated in the official
Summit at Sandton Center.
August 2002
Type II Initiative official Launch. As a founder
member of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) the Findhorn
Foundation is involved in promoting the ecovillage model
within the UN system as a conscious response to the
extremely complex problem of how to transform our human
settlements, whether they be villages, towns or cities,
into full-featured sustainable communities, harmlessly
integrated into the natural environment.
In preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development
the Findhorn Foundation in association with the Global
Ecovillage Network participated in the organisation
of six Regional Pre-Summit Workshops for local authorities,
a project being led by the United Nations Institute
for Training and Research (UNITAR) through its CIFAL
programme, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme
(UN-Habitat), and the World Federation of United Cities
(UTO).
The results were presented in Johannesburg as a Type
II Initiative, Local Capacity-building and Training
for Sustainable Urbanisation - a training programme
for local government officials that includes ecovillage
components. We are involved in designing the programme
Sustainable Cities and will be teaching in the first
pilot programme in Curitiba, November 2003.
February 2002
The 4th Findhorn Foundation Ecovillage Training
hosted over 40 participants from the following countries:
Alaska, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Burma,
Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hawaii,
Holland, Iceland, India, Japan, Malaysia, Portugal,
Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland,
Tasmania, and USA. Most of the participants were community
and ecovillage leaders fully committed to establishing
sustainable lifestyles in their regions. The programme,
hosted in Findhorn by the Foundation, was designed under
the UN impulse towards the promotion of basic principles
of sustainable economic and social development and has
the institutional endorsement of UNITAR: United Nations
Institute of Training and Research.
January 2002
Thirty-two women from around the world gathered
in Findhorn for the Foundation's Winter School
of Ecofeminism, an international programme
on women’s empowerment, spirituality and a culture
of peace. During the two-week-long programme devised
by members of the Findhorn Foundation in association
with the Geneva-based Women's World Summit Foundation,
the participants worked with themes such as women’s
spirituality through art, dance and symbolism; the dual
origin of the universe, the paradigm shift from ‘power
over’ to ‘power with’; and caring
for the Earth through self-reliance and sustainability.
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2001
December 2001 The United
Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
has been mandated to organise six Regional Pre-Summit
Workshops for local authorities, to prepare for
the World Summit for Sustainable Development, which
will take place in Johannesburg in September 2002. The
Findhorn Foundation in association with the Global
Ecovillage Network (GEN) was invited as a partner
in the organisation of the pre-summit workshops, which
focus on the training of local authorities in the fields
of environment, decentralised co-operation and sustainable
development. The Findhorn Foundation and GEN were represented
by Max Lindegger in the first workshop which took place
in Durban.
October 2001 UNESCO,
through its Director-General Mr Koichiro Matsuura, institutionally
endorses the International Conference entitled Restore
the Earth! scheduled to take place during Easter
Week of 2002 at the Findhorn Foundation. UNESCO authorises
the Findhorn Foundation to use UNESCO logo in the conference
publicity material accompanied by the phrase "This
event is under the sponsorship of UNESCO".
September 2001 A
delegation of eight members represented the Findhorn
Foundation in the 54th Annual DPI/NGO Conference at
the United Nations Headquarters, New York. Theme of
the Conference: 'NGOs Today: Diversity of the Volunteer
Experience'. The Findhorn Foundation in association
with The Spiritual Caucus and The Values Caucus, sponsored
a midday NGO workshop on 'Volunteering: The Path
of Joyful Service' to explore how volunteering expands
resources and increases synergy when one takes a service-oriented
approach. (As the workshop was scheduled for September
11 it took a different format, which led participants
and presenters in two days of inspirational gatherings
to support those affected by the crisis at hand).
September 2001 The
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), through
its Executive Director, Mr Klaus Töpfer, institutionally
endorses the International Conference Restore the
Earth! scheduled to take place during Easter Week
of 2002 at the Findhorn Foundation.
'Restore the Earth Conference is a welcome addition
to the preparatory work for the World Summit on Sustainable
Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg next year.'
Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director, UNEP
February 2001 The
third Findhorn Foundation Ecovillage
Training hosted over 30 participants from the
following countries: Costa Rica, Australia, Brazil,
Spain, Russia, Ghana, Germany, South Africa, Japan,
England, Canada, Italy, Belarus, Mexico, Poland, Netherlands,
Armenia and USA. Most of the participants were community
and ecovillage leaders earnestly committed to establishing
sustainable lifestyles in their regions.
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2000
October 2000 UNESCO gave institutional
endorsement to the international conference 'Spirit
of Learning: Soul in Education', organised by the
Findhorn Foundation, which intended to strengthen the
international collective effort toward an enlightened
education containing universal values. We were authorised
to use the International Year for the Culture of Peace
logo in our printed materials and we were very pleased
to host amongst our presenters Ms Ibtissam Al Bassam,
Director of Teachers Section at UNESCO, and Mr. Alfredo
Sfeir-Younis, Director of the World Bank in Geneva.
August 2000 A delegation
of eight members represented the Findhorn Foundation
in the 53rd Annual DPI/NGO Conference at the United
Nations Headquarters, New York. Theme of the Conference:
'Global Solidarity: The Way to Peace and International
Cooperation'. On this occasion the Findhorn Foundation
Ecovillage
Project sponsored the mid-day workshop: Ecovillages
Providing a Model for Sustainable Living and Global
Solidarity. The session was moderated by Frances Edwards
and John Clausen and presented by May East, John Talbot,
Roger Doudna and Michael Shaw, representatives of the
Findhorn Foundation.
February 2000 The
second Findhorn Foundation Ecovillage Training hosted
47 participants from the following countries: Sri Lanka,
Bangladesh, Ghana, Australia, Brazil, Taiwan, Philippines,
El Salvador, Russia, Japan, South Africa, Switzerland,
Turkey, Austria, Germany, Ireland, UK, Canada, Alaska,
and the continental USA.
The
Ecovillage Training promotes the transference
of tools and techniques for creating sustainable community
in the fields of eco-building, sustainable economics,
organic food production, conflict facilitation, holistic
health, global communication, fundraising, eco-restoration
and conservation. The programme, hosted in Findhorn
by the Foundation, has the institutional endorsement
of UNITAR (United Nations Institute of Training and
Research).
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1999
October 1999 United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP)
endorses the Findhorn Foundation mission.
'UNEP supports the objectives of the Findhorn Foundation
mission of demonstrating the links between the environmental,
the social and the economic aspects of life to offer
enhanced quality of life for all. Most of the problems
identifies by Agenda 21 have their roots at the local
level, therefore UNEP appreciates your significant contribution
at the local level to models for holistic and sustainable
living in harmony with the environment.'
Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director, UNEP
September 1999 A
delegation of eight members represented the Findhorn
Foundation in the 52nd Annual DPI/NGO Conference at
the United Nations Headquarters, New York. Theme of
the Conference: 'Challenges of a Globalised World:
Finding New Directions'. On this occasion the Findhorn
Foundation delegation presented a woven panel to Mr.
Kensaku Hogen, Under Secretary General for Communications
and Public Information of the United Nations, in celebration
of the association between the United Nations and the
Findhorn Foundation.
September 1999 The
Findhorn Foundation became an associate member of the
Conference of NGO's in Consultative Relationship
with the UN (CONGO) and since then have participated
in the Committee on Sustainable Development.
June 1999 May East,
on behalf of the Global
Ecovillage Network, attended the Best Practices
Steering Committee Meeting promoted by UNCHS-Habitat
and Dubai Municipality under Ministry of Development
of Spain auspices. The Steering Committee is a diverse
group of academic institutions, grassroots, local authority,
umbrella NGO's/CBOs, & research and capacity building
institutions working towards the establishment of policies
for the Best Practices - Dubai International Award.
April 1999 UNESCO
sponsored the 4th International Holistic Conference,
'A Call to Peace - Pathways to a Holistic Future',
hosted by the Findhorn Foundation, in Findhorn, in partnership
with the International
Holistic University of Brazil. An official representative
from the UNESCO 'Roads of Faith' cultural integration
project, Mrs Rosa Guerreiro, addressed the Conference.
March 1999 May East,
representing Findhorn Foundation International Relations,
visited the UN Headquarters in Geneva to establish working
relationships with the NGO Section - Department of Public
Information - UN Office at Geneva.
February 1999 The
Findhorn Foundation Ecovillage
Training, hosted in Findhorn, designed under
the UN impulse to promote basic principles of sustainable
economic and social development, hosted 39 participants
from the following countries: Thailand, Ladakh, Australia,
New Zealand, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Russia,
Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Portugal,
Finland, France, Netherlands Switzerland, Austria, Ireland,
Scotland, England, Canada and USA.
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1998
October 1998 On World Habitat Day the
Findhorn Foundation Ecovillage Project, together with
other 100 leadership Initiatives "which are inspiring
innovative action on Earth", received Best
Practice Designation from the United Nations
Centre for Human Settlements - UNCHS (Habitat) and Dubai
Municipality.
October 1998 UNITAR
( United Nations Institute for Training and Research
) institutionally endorsed the Findhorn
Foundation Ecovillage Training. “I commend
you on the development of new models for sustainable
living which are environmentally sound in addition to
being energy efficient projects which can be shared
with communities in all parts of the globe. In this
context UNITAR recognises the importance of the Findhorn
Foundation Ecovillage Training, which contains essential
tools and techniques, to enable participants to apply
ecovillage concepts to their own real home situations."
- Marcel Boisard, Executive Director, UNITAR
September 1998 For
the first time, four members represented the Findhorn
Foundation in an Annual DPI/NGO Conference. Theme of
the Conference: 'The Fiftieth Anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: From Words to
Deeds'.
July 1998 The Findhorn
Foundation joined the Values Caucus, a forum
of NGO's associated with the UN, promoting participatory,
multidisciplinary and cross-cultural dialogues on values
guiding human behaviour.
April 1998 A United
Nations permanent display was created at the Findhorn
Foundation Visitor’s Centre (approximately 12.000
visitors a year from over 50 countries).
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1997
December 1997 The Findhorn Foundation
was approved for association with the United
Nations Department of Public Information. This
association is a commitment on the part of the Findhorn
Foundation to disseminate information and raise public
awareness about the purposes and activities and achievements
of the United Nations and a out issues of global concern
related to sustainability, environment, peace, shelter,
and new world order.
July 1997 The Findhorn
Foundation became an official member of the Planet
Society Network at UNESCO. The main goal of
the programme is to create an international exchange
network focusing on the riches of the natural environment
and the cultural values of each member community. The
Foundation was entitled to use the Planet Society member
logo in its publications.
April - July 1997
The Findhorn Foundation in partnership with UNED-UK
(UN Environmental and Development-UK Committee) actively
participated in the process of the 'Earth Summit
+5', preparing a comprehensive Citizens Report for
the Committee.
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1996
June 1996 The Findhorn Foundation participated
in the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements
(Habitat II), 'The Cities Summit', Istanbul,
Turkey, in the NGO Forum, as founder member of the Global
Ecovillage Network. John Talbott, the Findhorn Foundation
representative, presented 4 different workshops on various
aspects of ecovillage and community living.
1995
October 1995 UNESCO through EPD (Environment
and Population Education and Information for Human Development)
supported the international conference entitled 'Ecovillages
and Sustainable Communities: Models for 21st Century
Living' hosted by the Findhorn Foundation “in
an intellectual, technical and moral capacity”.
Mrs Antonella Verdiani, from UNESCO’s Planet Society
Network, addressed the Conference as an official representative
of UNESCO.
September 1995 The
Findhorn Foundation Ecological Village Project was awarded
the 'We the Peoples 50 Communities' award given
by the Friends of the United Nations and presented in
NYC as part of the 50th Anniversary of the UN Celebrations.
The award was made to 50 projects, selected from over
500 nominees around the world, in recognition of our
contribution towards supporting the aims and goals of
the UN and for creating Common Unity.
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1994
April 1994 The Findhorn Foundation hosted
in Fndin association with the International Holistic
University hosted the 'Art of Living in Peace',
a UNESCO published curriculum and training. The Director of the Section for Humanistic Cultural
and International Education at UNESCO writes in the
preface of Pierre Weil's book The Art Of Living In
Peace, published by Findhorn Press: "This publication by the Findhorn
Foundation- well known in the world for its dynamism
and conviction in creating peace, harmony and beauty
on Earth in a holistic way - will undoubtedly represent
a significant work in the field of peace education,
showing that peace is a conquest, but not by force of
arms."
Kaisa Savolainen
1992
June 1992 The Findhorn Foundation participated
as an official NGO in the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development, 'The Earth Summit',
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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