SEPTEMBER 2008 : 1st year GreenFriends-France. G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c e SEPTEMBER...
-
Upload
darion-marbury -
Category
Documents
-
view
214 -
download
0
Transcript of SEPTEMBER 2008 : 1st year GreenFriends-France. G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c e SEPTEMBER...
SEPTEMBER 2008 : 1st year
GreenFriends-France
G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008Content
Presentation | 02
Our approach | 07
Our actions | 09
Participation | 21
Contact | 22
1 | Supporting the ecological development of the Amma Centre in France | 10
2 | Improving one’s ecological consistency in our daily life | 13
3 | Meetings and workshops to support ecological inspirations| 15
4 | Ecological proposals & services | 18
5 | Reflection on how to promote the creation of ecovillages as a new way of living | 20
01
02Presentation
Who are we ?
GreenFriends-France is a non-governmental organization whose action is to preserve the
natural environment and working for an harmonious relationship between Man and Nature.
The organization was created in June 2007 and officially launched during a special week-
end in September 2007.
The main goal is to help each one of us to develop the consciousness of Unity between
Nature and humanity and to realize actions helping us to live in a greater respect of Nature.
GreenFriends-France wishes to awaken Love and Respect of Nature but also the feeling of
our personal duty in its protection. To live in harmony with Nature is essential for the future
but also for our personal well-being. GreenFriends is a movement born in India in November
2001. It is an initiative from Mata Amritanandamayi
(Amma), a great Indian humanitarian and spiritual leader.
Originally This movement was oriented towards the
youth but is now broaden to everyone, on a worldwide
scale. In India it is linked to the M.A. Math organization,
an NGO with an ECOSOC consultative status with the
United Nations. Amma has inspired the creation of
GreenFriends-France. Nevertheless to serve ecology in
India and France does not require the same actions ;
although they do have a lot of common points, the 2
organizations can work on different types of actions.
G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
03Presentation
Our place
The Plessis Farm is located near Chartres, widely known for
its cathedral, which is located at a 120km from Paris. It was
bought in 2002 by Amma’s French organization called
Maison Amrita in order to create Amma’s French Centre.
It is a large farm, a former nobleman manor built partly in
the 13th century with 1300m2 riding stables. Lots of
outbuildings – stables – sheepfolds – sheds – offer large
development possibilities. The whole represents almost
3000 m2 indoor on 6 hectares of land. This place has
become an active, dynamic and living institution able to
welcome many kinds of programs. Since 2002, its residents
and visitors restore the buildings in the local traditional
style. All the combined efforts to work in harmony
contributes to transform this place into a peaceful haven
for everyone.
Touched by this approach, GreenFriends-France decided to
be involved to the life of this Centre and the Plessis Farm
naturally became the headquarters of the organization. It is
on this location that most of the GreenFriends-France
programs and activities take place. This cooperation
between the 2 organizations happens to be mutually
beneficial
G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
04Presentation
The founder of the GreenFriends movement :Amma
Born in 1953 in Southern India, in a small coastal village in
Kerala, Mata Amritanandamayi or Amma realised from
early childhood that the purpose of her life was to help the
suffering humanity. Compassion, love, service and
meditation are the foundations of her teaching and her
commitment to serve others. She initiated a large network
of charitable activities and Amma’s ideal of service and
tolerance has inspired a large number of people all over
the World.Her example and her tireless energy inspire millions of humans beings all over the World,
from the former President of India who gave the 10 first months of his income to the M.A.
Math, lots of scientists, medical doctors, university academics, to simple fishermen from
her native background and to the most destitute ones, whose life has been changed by
her.
Our organization is part of a
large network of
humanitarian and
ecological organizations
initiated by an Indian
woman widely known as
Amma and is considered as
a "Mahatma" in India.
Her life
G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
05Presentation
Humanitarian and charitable NGO
Since 2001, the M.A. Math, Amma organization, has intervened after several natural
disasters (like the tsunami which left South-East Asia as a wreck), bringing first aids and
establishing long term programs of reconstruction
For most destitute people, the organization finances free shelters, food, medicines and
pensions, an orphanage, wedding ceremonies, free legal assistance and residence for the
eldest.Concerning healthcare, the organization founded AIMS hospital in Kochi which is
recognized as one of the best hospitals in Southern Asia. The hospital includes one
thousand beds, thirty different medical services and ten specialized laboratories. The
institution offers free cares to most destitute ones. Amma is also at the origin of the
creation of universities, training centres, development projects, schools and specialized
schools, research centres, etc.…
The founder of the GreenFriends movement :Amma
In the ecological field the GreenFriends movement exists
in India and in other countries and acts for similar goals
but following each country’s needs.
For her contribution in humanitarian action and the way
these actions are done, Amma has been acclaimed by a
very large number of political figures all over the World.
In 1993, she is a main speaker in the World’s Religions Parliament in Chicago and in 1995
for the 50th birthday of United Nations.
In 2002, she received the Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence and Peace, after Nelson
Mandela and Kofi Annan, at “le Palais des Nations” in Geneva.
In 2003, 2 millions people, including the President of India, celebrated her 50th birthday.
On 24 July 2005, The United Nations offered to Amma’s organization the special
consultative status at ECOSOC, in recognition for her humanitarian activities.
To know more about Amma : www.amritapuri.org (India) or ww.amma-europe.org (Europe)
International recognition
G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
06Presentation
Some Greenfriends
Michel Dombre is the chairman of GreenFriends-France and is coresponsible for the landscape projet concerning the surrounding green spaces
Involved in organic farming and he’s been active in many environmental organizations for 35 years, having held high responsibilities in industry, Michel is particularly interested by shaping the Amma Center’s natural surrounding spaces into a place of Beauty and Harmony in the respect of Nature.
Claire Carrat is the treasurer of GreenFriends-France, an “ecological cook” and initiated the use of many ecological techniques at the Center.
A teacher, Claire is getting actively involved in bringing more ecological consistency. Supporter of a life of simplicity, she particular likes to cook with solar ovens, test ecological ways of preserving food and enjoy preparing the delicious organic bread made at the Amma Center.
Bri. Dipamrita Chaitanya is the vice-chairman of GreenFriends-France et in charge of Amma Center.
Moved since childhood by a thirst to learn and understand, amazed by Nature’s beauty, intelligence and mysteries, she got the chance to live strong experiences of communion with nature. Dipamrita wishes to develop a living ecosite at Amma Center, a place of ressourcement, a place of discoveries, in harmony with the laws of Life and Nature.
Mathieu Labonne is a member of the Board of Directors of GreenFriends-France and is the driving force behind several projects
Basically a space engineer, formerly a researcher on climate changes for the French government and now an expert in carbon auditing, Mathieu keeps on moving on its path to consistency thanks to the organization ; He has initiated diverse projects using his engineering skills, his love for Nature and because he believes deeply in the values of the organization.Dorian Spaak co-manages the BABEL project and organised the 1st youth retreat in Amma Center.
An engineering student in Land and Environment Management in UTC and EPFL, graduated from a journalism school in India and passionate by ecological, constructions particularly made in earth clay, with the organization Dorian has found a way to live more deeply his relationship with the World, with others and with Nature.
G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
07Our approach
The serious ecological problems that threaten the future of the Earth and its inhabitants are
the result of our behaviour towards the World and Nature. In our opinion, they reveal the
current relationship that the modern world lives with the environment. For those who feel
intimately the link with the natural environment, the willingness to get involved in order to
preserve Nature becomes obvious.
It’s by encouraging one’s awareness so that one will become active for one’s own change,
thus we could hope to embrace the fundamental and needed stages of evolution. It implies
to take a different approach of our environment and a reenchantment of our way to see the
World.
This understanding of our interaction with Nature, starting a new communication, will
create the space within us for an inner ecology that would nourish a consistent outer
ecology. Actually the reasons of today’s crisis are much deeper than just economical or
technological. They take roots in our inner relationship with Nature and Life.
GreenFriends-France has been created to serve a right relationship between Man and
Nature.
.In order to create a new way of living which would be more respectful towards nature, the
organization is proposing a certain number of actions
G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
08Our approach
This new vision needs the example made by persons and places . The only effective and
right approach to create a more sustainable and respectful way of living is to remain
consistent and to set an example. And that’s how has been slowly created a model ecosite
in Amma’s French Center, the farm which is the headquarters of our organization. This
model place must demonstrate that living places which are deeply respectful of Nature are
more favourable to our search for happiness.
The perception of harmony which emanate from this site helps us to deepen our link with
Nature. We wish that this site will serve ecology beyond all sort of ideologies, beyond any
kind of activism, and simply incarnates this consistency and peace that we’re looking for in
our life.
Ecology is actually a path to consciousness and leads to
consistency in our actions and in our relationship with the
World. In today’s World, this consistency is not always
easy to set up. But it is a path, which is to be walked step
by step, and if we are truly committed, with sincerity, but
also with rationality and awareness, supported by Amma’s
message of love, tolerance and service.
G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
09Our actions
Supporting the ecological development of Amma French Centre
Improving the ecological consistency at Amma’s centre but also in everyone’s life
Workshops and events to encourage one’s initiative to act
Ecological services and actions
Preparing the creation of ecovillages as new ways of living
The board of Directors is the bearer of the values and the approach chosen by the
organization. During the GreenFriends-France founding event it has defined 5 main
axis of action for the organization which are more or less a priority :
1
2
3
4
5
G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
10
Motivations
GreenFriends-France is involved in the ecological development of Amma’s French Centre.
It concerns both buildings and natural spaces. The motivation is to create a model and
educational ecosite, a reference place for one’s ecological path.
Today this central axis in our activities includes :
Help the ecological development of Amma French Center
On old buildings
The Plessis Farm is a set of buildings of great historical and architectural value
and is getting renovated to welcome more and more people. GreenFriends-
France accompanies this ecological renovation in the respect of the local
traditional style and by using ecological materials
On natural spaces
The Farm includes 6 hectares where lives a fauna and a flora which are mainly
wild. In the respect of the balance between nature and culture, we’re
progressively setting up these spaces and supporting Nature’s blossoming. This
project includes an ecological consistency and a search for harmony with
Nature’s laws.
On new places to live
Many new buildings could be built on this site. It would particularly be wooden
houses, bungalows for retreat in solitude and a residence for elders. For instance
a straw-clay bungalow has already been built.
Our actions 1 G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
11Our actions
Some realized or on-going projects
Extension of the organic garden
Since Maison Amrita arrives in the Plessis Farm, an
organic garden has been set up. In 2008, the voluntary
work of Gilles Penin, an organic farmer, helped to double
the size of the garden which now occupies more than
1000m2. A large part of the vegetarian food eaten at the
Amma Centre comes from this organic garden.
A straw-clay small house
A small house including 2 “retreat rooms" is now
completed. The frame is mad from wood (oak) collected
in the old buildings of the Farm and the walls are made
with straw and clay. The construction of this site gave the
possibility to many people to learn ecological building
basic techniques.
An ecological apiary
With the help of the famous beekeeper-poet-sculptor
Maurice Chaudière we introduced in 2007 many beehives
at the Amma’s Centre. Their survival in a context of
chemical farming is a day-to-day challenge. The first
honey harvest, in august 2008, was very encouraging.
The restoration of the traditional bread oven
The Farm’s old bread oven has been restored in the
respect of the traditional style and is now used to
prepare the bread, with local organic wheat flour, but as
well pizzas, cakes and other “delights of the Farm”.
1
Help the ecological development of Amma French Center
G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
12Our actions
Some realized or on-going projects
BABEL European youth project
The BABEL project (“Bois, Abeilles et Biodiversité pour une
Ecologie Locale”) bas been initiated by a group of young
members of GreenFriends-France in the frame of the “Youth
in Action” European Union program. The positive support
from European Union came in Summer 2008 : 9000 Euros to
realize the project.This project, which will last from end 2008 to end 2009, aims at implementing the ecological
technique of Rameal Chipped Wood (RCW) in Amma Centre and to build an original architecture
piece, a small retreat ecological house where the walls will be inhabited by bees. This project focuses
on soil fertility, biodiversity and bee preservation.
The project will also include a social dimension, with the participation of young people from poor
areas near Paris and handicapped people, and will have as well an artistic dimension. This “bees
house” will be unique and completely ecological, including wood, straw, earth, stone and a vegetal
roof. A movie will be shot to follow the inner path of the participants and will be show in cinema
festivals.
This project integrates sustainable and inclusive activities mixing ecology, historical heritage, social
inclusion, creativity and knowledge and know-how transmission.Thermal solar
In Summer 2008, two engineering students from prestigious French Engineering schools have studied
the possibilities to install solar thermal panels to produce hot water. This project was the start of a
large on-going thinking process regarding the installation of renewable energies in the Centre,
respecting the architectural heritage of the site
Plantation of a little woodland and a bigger orchard
In December 2008 and February 2009, more than fifty trees will be planted in Amma Centre in addition
to those which are already there. This long-term initiative will create a place of quietness and retreat
by the creation of a little woodland. These trees will be blessed by Amma during her programs in
France and sponsored by voluntary which will be encouraged to take care of them in the future.
More than thirty fruit trees are growing in an organic environment . A large apple-tree orchard will be
added during this plantation.
1
Help the ecological development of Amma French Center
G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
13
Motivations
As we create a model ecosite, we also need to think about the best ways to maintain it on a
daily base in order to be consistent. It means a day-to-day organization on site and a
careful maintenance. It also means that one has to learn how to behave ecologically and to
awaken awareness in one’s actions. This approach serves more consistency on everyone’s
life.
Some realized or on-going projects
Hep to improve ecological consistency in one’s life and in Amma Center
Cooking ecologically, in particular with solar ovens.
Claire and Marie cook deliciously in Amma Center. After a
workshop with the Bolivia Inti organization, Claire has
started to use solar ovens to prepare candied fruits, jams
and a solar parabola to cook meals in Summer. Healthy
and ecological solar energy in our plates ! Claire also uses
many ecological techniques to preserve food. That way,
we can benefit from the garden’s gifts, all year’s around
Maintaining the garden and the apiary
The garden is maintained by the help of many voluntaries
with more or less skills and supervised by Gilles, the
organic farmer of the Centre. A group of amateur
beekeepers takes care of our pollen-gathering
inhabitants !
Our actions 2 G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
14
Some realized or on-going project
Help to improve ecologicalconsistency ine one’s life and in Amma Center
Dry composting toilets
several dry toilets have been installed in Amma Centre in
order to save water and turn our excrement in useful compost
for the flowers. We encourage visitors to discover and use this
simple way to save lots of a water. A training workshop is
planned at the Amma’s Centre at the end of December 2008.
Compost
All organic waste are separated from other wastes and used
to create compost to fertilize the garden.
Ecology in each one of our acts
We started to place many little inspiring cards in the Centre to
awaken ecological consciousness in our day-to-day acts, in
particular regarding light, heating and water consumption.
The set of these cards is under progress and should help us to
integrate all these small acts that make a difference wherever
we are !
Our actions 2 G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
15
Motivations
GreenFriends-France proposes diverse kinds of activities to encourage one’s path to
ecology. Actually we think that promoting an easy access to ecological techniques will help
more people to move on the path to individual consistency.
Lots of people wish to move on this path but feels unmotivated by a feeling of loneliness
having to cope with unusual choices. Our training workshops and meetings are to set to
guide one’s choices.
These events are actually grouped under 3 main categories :
Propose workshops and events
Our actions
Eco-trainings will learn us
techniques for a better alliance
between practice and theory
Forums, bigger events, help us
to think about outer or inner
ecology.
Youth retreats are mixing
practical ecology, artistic
workshops and sharing
moments in order to open youth
to ecology as a path to oneself,
to others and to Nature.
Eco-trainingsForums
and meetings Youth retreat
3 G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
16
Some events during our first year !
Propose workshops andevents
Our actions
Launching week-end
On 21, 22 and 23 September, the organization celebrated
its birth during a special week-end, rich in workshops and
meetings. It was the occasion to present the work axis of
the organization and to welcome everyone’s ideas.
It was also the occasion to share joyful moments together
with different workshops,in a natural surrounding
including a “inner meeting with the trees”, an
introduction to solar cooking, a botanical walk to discover
edible and medicinal wild plants and fruits and followed
by a qi-gong workshop.
To celebrate the birth of the movement, an oak has been
planted. This act was carried by a special atmosphere and
a very strong meaning : trees are symbols of self-sacrifice
and oaks are symbols of longevity and strength. This oak
is placed at the entrance of the little woodland that will
be planted at the end of 2008.
This was also the occasion to listen the very famous
“nomad-piano player” Marc Vella on the International Day
for Peace and to share our ecological approach with the
Karma Ling Buddhist monastery by an inspiring talk from
Lama Sengue.
3 G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
17
Some events during our first year
Proposer des stageset des rencontres
Nos actions
Forum on “CSA”
A community supported agriculture (CSA) is based on a local
partnership between a group of consumers and a local farm, set on
a distribution system of “baskets” composed with seasonal farm
products.
Ecotrainings to learn how to grow organic food, to learn bees
ecology and alternative beekeeping, to learn how to cook with
the Sun… …
Different training events took place during this first year, in
particular because of the venue of Bolivia Inti organization, which is
expert on solar ovens, and Maurice Chaudière on beekeeping, fruit
trees grafting and wild resources. A whole cycle around the way to
cultivate one’s own organic garden and orchard (fruit tree pruning,
soil natural fertilization, seeds preservation and seed-bank
management, the basis of organic farming …) occurred between
March and June 2008.
First youth retreat : « ecology, a path to oneself, an openness
to the World »
In July 2008, took birth the GreenFriends-France youth retreats with
eco-workshops during the morning like organic gardening or eco-
building, artistic workshops during the afternoon and lectures at the
end of the day.
The reason of these meetings is to propose to young people who are
at the beginning of their professional life or during their studies,
means to discover a deeper relationship with their environment and
to be active in their day-to-day life to create a way of living that
respects Nature.
On 2 and 3 February 2008 a GreenFriends-France forum on CSA occurred at Amma’s Centre with a
good energy sharing nice moments and inspired presentations by a bunch of French and
International experts, all involved in social, economical and ecological questions related to
agriculture.
3 G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
18
Motivations
It is GreenFriends-France wishes to propose step by step its services outside the framework
of the Amma’s centre and to spread the work done at “la ferme du Plessis” and to
participate with humbleness and modesty to the creation of a world that would be more
respectful of Nature.
Some realized or on-going projects
Propose ecologicalservices
Our actions
Reducing year after year the ecological footprint of
Amma’s programs in France and Europe
Every year in October and November,Amma the founder
of the GreenFriends-France movement and our source of
inspiration travels all over Europe to meet people that are
touched by her example and her message. Very large
manifestations gathering tens of thousands of people
take place. GreenFriends-France tries to make these
peaceful events as ecologically exemplary as possible by
proposing a vegetarian food, partly organic, by installing
dry composting toilets, by sorting out waste for
recycling…
4 G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
19
Some realized or on-going projects
Propose ecologicalservices
Our actions
Carbon auditing of Amma’s Tour in Europe and off-setting
Mathieu Labonne, member of GreenFriends-France, is
recognized by the French government to realize official
carbon auditing in order to count greenhouse emissions
taking place directly and indirectly because of an activity.
We’re actually thinking of doing the carbon auditing of
Amma’s venue in Europe, mainly in order to off-set the
emissions with renewable energies projects and
reforestation programs in France and India.
Educational visit of Amma Center for schools
From September 2009 we wish to propose to primary
schools many workshops to be chosen from, thus
allowing them to discover the ecological realizations of
the ecosite. It can be ways of discovering the natural
environment, learning basic techniques of organic
farming and beekeeping, playing in Nature, building one’s
own solar oven… Many members of GreenFriends-
France, including teachers, are actually working on an
high-quality educational content of these workshops.
4 G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
20
Accompany the creation of ecovillages
Our actions
The ecovillage concept is the synthesis of the best ecological choices. 75% of the French
greenhouse emissions comes from heating, transport and food production and one can
understand the interest of self-sufficiency, efficient eco-building, locally-produced
renewable energy and local, low meat-based and organic food.
But the ecovillage concept is much more than an ecological concept, it is also a place of
sharing, of life in community and the return of the community’s traditional values , where
everyone had a place, where nobody was excluded and where the social aspect was a
vector of happiness for everyone. This concept gives answers to a complete vision of
ecology, including the social and economical needs of humanity.
An ecovillage gathers people, with different skills, but sharing the same ideal of a life filled
with sharing, exchanges and respect of Nature.
GreenFriends-France believes in the future of such a concept and is thinking about the best
way of supporting the creation of a first ecovillage before proposing its experience on a
wider scale, being at the service of a more ecological and more blossoming way of living for
all.
An ecovillage is the gathering of people in rural or
urban areas trying to maximize their well-being and
at the same time trying to minimize their ecological
footprint. An ecovillage gives a large place to self-
sufficiency in the respect of the ecosystems and of
economical and cultural relocalization
5 G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008
21Participation
Support our actionsOur projects need financial supports, in particular we need donations.
All people involved in the organization are unpaid and voluntary, thus the whole donation goes
straight into the realization of a project. Cheques are to be made out to GreenFriends-France
Become a part of it !GreenFriends-France projects need very diverse skills.
We do not have all of them. Please do not hesitate to propose your service and to come and
participate to the different projects.
Receive our newsletterTo be informed of the progress of the organization, the evolution of the projects, the different events
and programs going on, please ask (by email) to receive our electronic newsletter GreenFriends-
France our electronic newsletter .
Everyone is welcome to bring his time, motivation and skills to
the different GreenFriends-France projects.
22Contact
phone : 00 33 1 47 49 71 52 (Claire Carrat - treasurer) or00 33 6 77 40 30 98 (Mathieu Labonne – member of the Board of Directions)
email : Contact : [email protected]
And of course you can visit our website :www.greenfriends-france.org
GreenFriends-FranceCentre Amma, Ferme du Plessis, 28190 PONTGOUIN
G r e e n F r i e n d s – F r a n c eSEPTEMBER 2008