Call out
This year, Ecotopia will take place between 9-23 August 2008 in Turkey, close to the city of Sinop at the Black Sea. You are invited to take part, and discuss energy and other issues, support local activists and meet with groups from different parts of Europe.
The Issues
Every year, Ecotopia pays special attention to one issue. Usually this is an issue which is of particular concern to the local Ecotopia organisers. This year, Ecotopia will take place close to a location determined for the construction of a nuclear power station, and the main theme will be the energy issues.
In Turkey, the pros and cons of nuclear energy have been debated for almost 30 years. In 2004, the Turkish government took a sudden turn in the energy policy and made a plan to meet Turkey's increasing energy demand by building 3 to 5 nuclear plants between 2008 and 2012. The reliance on nuclear energy runs huge economic and environmental risks.
The construction of nuclear energy plants wastefully consumes public resources: both their construction and dismount at the end of their term are expensive. Not to mention serious risks and problems related to the storage of nuclear waste and possible accidents.
We believe that the energy crisis should be solved by decreasing energy consumption, improving energy efficiency and promoting low-impact energy production. And we would like to focus workshops and activities at Ecotopia on these issues.
What is Ecotopia?
Ecotopia is an annual 2 week-long meeting of activist individuals and groups, focusing on issues of environment and social justice. It has been organized by EYFA (European Youth For Action) since 1989, and is hosted by local grassroots environmental organizations. The 2008 Ecotopia will be hosted by Ekolojik Utopyalar Dernegi.
Ecotopia is a horizontally organized space to adopt a sustainable lifestyle, share skills in workshops or discussions, exchange experiences and ideas, network with new groups, and spread information on social, political and environmental actions. Ecotopia usually hosts a few hundred people, addressing topics such as racism, xenophobia, homo-and queerphobia, creative dissent, alternative media, social centers, sustainable building and infrastructure, organic/fair trade food and farming, climate change, diversity, GMOs, etc.
During the two weeks, the community utilizes methods of low-impact living; from a vegan kitchen, use of alternative power and ecological cleaning products (washing liquid, soaps, toothpaste), to organizing events to benefit the locality (cleaning actions etc.)
Biketour
The Biketour is a great sustainable way to reach Ecotopia. This year's tour starts in Sofia (Bulgaria), and cycles all the way towards the Ecotopia.. For more information check Ecotopia Biketour webpage.
Take part in Ecotopia! Have a look at the website for more info and please fill in the registration form.
Give a workshop! Everyone is invited to offer workshops, discussions, screenings on the theme, or other presentations on related social and environmental issues. To register a workshop – fill in the workshop form.
Take part in the preparation camp If you are willing to help with preparing the site, by building the basic structures such as the kitchen and toilets, please take part in the prep camp, starting on the 25th of July.
If you have any questions - write to ecotopiaATeyfa.org
Greetings, The Ecotopia crew
Links
www.ecotopiagathering.org
www.ekolojikutopyalar.org/tr
www.ecotopiabiketour.net and blog : http://blog.ecotopiabiketour.net/
www.eyfa.org
When the eyes of lust look upon me
May the mind of calm guide me
When the hands of hate seize me
May the heart of Lovingkindness free me
When the clouds of delusion surround me
May the light of Wisdom guide me
May my calm heart make others happy
May my clear mind make them free
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