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At Living Routes, we see ecovillages as living laboratories for a more sustainable future. Whether we are talking about world population, global warming,
biodiversity or social inequities, it is clear that we are living in an incredibly dramatic time, not only in human history, but in planetary history. No prior
generation has faced a greater challenge - or a greater opportunity.
Ecovillages are ecological communities that are meeting this challenge now by exploring how we can all live well - but lightly and with consideration.
They are groups of people who believe:
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We can't wait for governments to legislate solutions as most politicians are only thinking ahead to the next election, when they really need to be
thinking ahead seven generations.
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We can't wait for corporations to bring solutions to market as our current economic system does not place value on the natural world or on
cooperative relationships.
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We can't even wait for our schools to teach us about sustainability as most are still pulling themselves out of the Industrial Era.
For the most part, we are still educating leaders to dig deeper and faster into the world's resources when we really need leaders who
know how to build durable economies and communities living in harmony with the Earth.
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| Verite windmill and water storage at Auroville ecovillage. |
If we truly want a future that is healthy and just, we must act, individually and collectively, to help make such a future possible. Ecovillages are
dynamic social experiments that are developing and integrating new forms of economic, environmental, and social development. Examples include:
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Appropriate
technologies and renewable energy systems |
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Sustainable agriculture
and community-based food systems |
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Habitat restoration
and stewardship |
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Group facilitation,
consensus decision-making, community organizing |
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Communication skills,
conflict resolution and mediation |
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Mindfulness practices
such as meditation and yoga |
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Ecological design,
green building, and community development |
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Social-Responsibility,
environmental education and activism |
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Cross-cultural awareness |
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Holistic health,
nutrition, and alternative medicine |
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Program and institutional
development |
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While all these features make ecovillages ideal locations for our
programs, it is important to note that they are not utopias. They
are made up of people, like you, who want to help build a better
world. Being pioneers is not always easy, but there are few satisfactions
that can compare with seeing a positive vision become a reality
and being a part of the solution.
There are hundreds if not thousands of ecovillages around the world and no two are alike:
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Some have fewer than 30 members; others more than 2,000. |
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Some are intentionally created; some are indigenous villages. |
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Some are predominantly comprised of natives; others have more than 40 nationalities represented. |
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Some are secular; some are religious, most are "spiritual," with residents following their own unique paths. |
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| Meeting between students and Senegalese
villagers at the traditional ecovillage of Mbam. |
Living Routes works with a small subset of these ecovillages
which meet certain criteria, including:
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Being diverse and "full-featured"
and able to offer a rich academic and community experience. |
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Having good accommodations,
classrooms, and internet access. |
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Having professionals engaged
in real-world sustainable development. |
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Being located in a stimulating environment
with minimal health and safety concerns. |
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Information on partner ecovillages that host Living Routes programs is available at:
And if you are interested in learning more about ecovillages, a
great place to start is Global
Ecovillage Network.
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our frequently asked questions » Learn
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