NextGEN is the youth-focused arm of the Global Ecovillage Network, (GEN), an international network that connects communities and people for a positive, regenerative and fulfilling future.
Ecovillages are urban or rural communities of people who strive to integrate a supportive social environment with a low-impact way of life. To achieve this, they integrate various aspects of ecological design, permaculture, ecological building, green production, alternative energy, community building practices, and much more. Ecovillages are living models of sustainability. They represent an effective, accessible way to combat the degradation of our social, ecological, and spiritual environments.
The idea of gathering as the younger generations of the Global Ecovillage Network emerged several years ago and now they are active in every GEN region. Each region operates with its own focus and specific goals. NextGEN are united by their youthful spirits, love of the ecovillage movement and a longing to be part of creating the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.
In the regions of Oceania and Asia, Africa, North America and Europe groups gather under the NextGEN name. In CASA (Latin America) CASA Jóvenes is in the process of emerging.
NextGEN does not wish for everyone to up and move to an ecovillage, nor necessarily begin one of his or her own. The idea, rather, is to make ecovillages modern and highly accessibly centers of education, places where people can easily come for a short visit, take a course, or participate in a work-exchange program; then to go back to their home communities, or continue to travel, all the while sharing what they have learned from their community experience. It is hoped that an in-depth educational experience immersed in an alternative lifestyle will create the kind of cultural shift a privileged young person may experience their first time traveling to a developing country.
NextGEN’s Nick Joyce
Kosmos digital editor Rhonda Fabian interviewed Nick Joyce at the New Story Summit at the Findhorn Foundation and Community in Scotland in September 2014. Inspired youth from around the globe have been busy connecting young people with the ecovillage movement and empowering them to build the world of the next generation. NextGEN International Representative, Nick Joyce, is helping to construct a locally owned ecovillage and education center in Togo, West Africa.
https://youtu.be/ZXgtjwDRcHQ
Once these individuals are “awakened” to an alternative way of being, NextGEN hopes to continue to support these young people in their journey by building a community of like-minded peers and creating opportunities for further engagement in this movement. Practically, this may look like connecting a young person who has just completed the Sustainability Education Workshop with an Ecovillage Ambassador in a community nearby.
NextGEN ECOVILLAGE AMBASSADORS
Jon Gagnon
I joined an ecovillage to actively participate in creating new, working alternatives that are built on cooperation and community. I love developing projects that get us closer to our goals of local resilience using permaculture and appropriate technology. I’m interested in connecting with other similar groups to continue to expand the movement and strengthen our resilience and mutual inter-dependence.
Ecovillage: Whole Village (Ontario, CAN) is a community with a commitment to sustainability and land stewardship seeking to live together in harmony with each other and with the natural habitat. The 191 acres of land offer housing for the 25 members, volunteers, visitors and trainees.
Eric Bear
I joined an ecovillage because I want to be of service to the life of the planet we share, and I believe the community is a key structure in facilitating that. I wish to connect with my peers in this work that I am doing. I wish to learn and share what we are doing to people with the same values as me.
Ecovillage: Quaker Intentional Village Canaan (NY, USA) is currently a community of six member households and several others interested in membership, living close to the land on 135 acres of mixed woodland and pasture. We range in age from infant to 70s, with 17 adults and 11 children. We strive to live spirit-focused lives that are simple, sustainable, and joyful, benefiting from and enjoying our close connections with each other and the land.
Nébesna Fortin
I grew up in a community, and love getting involved in the projects of my home ecovillage. I believe each of us as a role to play in the construction of the more beautiful world of our generation and that ecovillages are great platforms to put our dreams in action.
Ecovillage: La Cité Écologique (Quebec, CAN) missions is to develop an ecovillage that gives priority to education and sustainability based on the respect of all living beings . The 700 acres of land offers housing for 80 members, volunteers and trainees.
Daniel Bushman
Ecovillage: Sirius Community (Ma, USA) was established in 1978, has a pioneered community, sustainability, spirituality, and education. With over 35 years of experience and tens of thousands of visitors, Sirius serves as a role-model for individuals and communities aspiring to be a part of the solution.
Leonie Brien
I like living in an ecovillage, where you can make exchanges with others and learn from each other. I love getting involved in the development of my community and hope to get our work exchange program available to youth wishing to experience ecovillage lifestyle.
Ecovillage: La Cité Écologique (NH, USA) missions is to develop an ecovillage that gives priority to education and sustainable development based on respect for all living things. The 325 acres of land offer housing for the 45 members, volunteers and trainees.
Niki Anne
For me, living in an ecovillage is a way to live more responsibly, economically and environmentally.I want to strengthen my connection to the network of stakeholders in THIS movement in order to be a stronger bridge for engaging people in sustainability education.
Ecovillage: Earthaven Ecovillage (North Carolina, US) mission is to create a village which is a living laboratory and educational seed bank for a sustainable human future.
John Creighton
I grew up in a community, and I think it would be nice to see a community of communities one day.
Ecovillage: Ionia (Alaska, US) has taken on food, thought and gathering, renewable energy, outreach and a huge reservoir of social capital to inspire others who also need practical tools and hope.
Jonathan Dawson’s Five Principles of Ecovillages:
Ecovillages are private citizens’ initiatives. They’re grassroots.
Ecovillagers value community living.
They are not overly dependent on government, corporate, or other centralized sources for water, food, shelter, power, and other basic necessities.
Ecovillagers have a strong sense of shared values, often characterized in spiritual terms.
They often serve as research and demonstration sites. Many offer educational experiences for others.
—Paraphrased from Ecovillages: New Frontiers for Sustainability, by Jonathan Dawson