ECOTOPIA 2005 could and i feel should happen in bosnia. the country mostly affected by the worst war in europe since WW2. ECOTOPIA 2005 is exactly the type of project that could unite people, rebuild communities and promote more sustainable living

ECOTOPIA Held normally over the first three weeks of August for the past 14 years, Ecotopia is an attempt at building a self-reliant community, putting into practice the governing principles of an environmentally friendly life-style: waste recycling, vegetarian kitchen, consensus decision-making process, the use of alternative energy (hot water for dish-washing through solar panels, etc.). Furthermore, Ecotopia is a place to exchange experiences, spread information and enrich one's knowledge through workshops and discussions. Day-to-day policy is made through direct democracy (concensus decision making) at the daily circle. Where possible Ecotopians participate in regional actions and clean ups, working with local organisations.

www.geocities.com gives more info on ECOTOPIA, past and present

www.eyfa.org is this years ecotopia in The Carpathian mountains in Ukraine this summer, theme- YOUNG PEOPLE AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN RIGHTS

www.ecotopia2002.org is last years in ireland, 1000+ people participated, lived, worked together from all over the world , theme- conflict resolution

these are one of the best networks to talk to and listen to in terms of "sustainability" today; they are living it and trying to spread it, i lived with them last summer for about a week and i learned a lot, i think many "architects" have a lot to learn

one problem with a system like ECOTOPIA, is that, for the most part, it only deals with the rural, and i feel we have to deal also and more so with the urban

there are serious challenges, the most important being that of making urban systems more "sustainable", as so much of the worlds population is moving into the urban. that is what ECO CITY BANJA LUKA has started to explore with its initial workshop last april 2003 www.indymedia.org.uk

the initial networks and processes have been put into place so it would be great if ecotopia addressed this, and tried to have an "ecotopia" in banja luka in 2 years. either in the amazing forest at zelenkovac www.mrkonjic-grad.com or in tackling the urban problem- by occupying the presently unused industrial area of banja luka??

wherever though, ECOTOPIA is a great event. the balkans and bosnia in particular need something like this.

so please think about and make real

ECOTOPIA 2005 @ BALKANS