Ecotopia is not only a camp or a non-formal educational event, but something extraordinary created when 300-500 activists form their own ideal society for two weeks. Ecotopia is trying to be an eco-utopia in practice: non-pollutive, egalitarian, and just. Ecotopia is an example of ecological living with composts being used and waste being sorted. Equality means that all people coming to the camp are asked to take part in the everyday tasks and in the decision-making. Where possible Ecotopians participate in regional actions and clean ups, try to get local people interested in ecological problems and empower local organizations.
Furthermore, Ecotopia, also called EYFA's summer university, is a place to exchange experiences, spread information and enrich one's knowledge about the environment through workshops, debates and art. People form all over Europe and beyond come to share their skills, plan for campaigns and have fun.
Ecotopia is also remarkable for operating on the "Ecorate" system. Official bank exchange rates mean that people from some countries can't afford to participate in international activities. "Ecorates" is an alternative economic system based on living standards and income of people involved in the network rather than financial markets, which means that you pay for e.g. food at Ecotopia the same amount as you would pay for it in your own country.
20 AUGUST - 3 SEPTEMBER 2003
EYFA Int & GREEN DOSSIER Ukraine
YOUNG PEOPLE AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN RIGHTS
The Carpathian Convention and green tourism
"conflict resolution" was the theme
ECOTOPIA 2005 is exactly the type of project that could unite people, rebuild communities and promote. 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
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