About NextGEN
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[edit] What is NextGEN?
NextGEN is a global network organized by young adults who are concerned with issues of sustainability. NextGEN is centered around three core pillars: inspiration, support and action. Through a variety of means, we create a framework of inspiration and support in which we can remain rooted as we take action towards the realization of our individual and collective dreams for a sustainable future. We offer opportunities for action through conferences, educational workshops, and direct experience in communities. Our international support network develops connections among activists and encourages resource sharing. We hope to ignite in others a desire to change the world and be a means to channel this passion into actions that will meet the needs of the global community.
[edit] Who is NextGEN?
We are a constantly expanding community. Born out of the Global Ecovillage Network's tenth anniversary conference at Findhorn in 2005 and continuing through a recent meeting in Mexico at Las Cañadas ecovillage, the membership of NextGEN includes young activists from Asia, Africa, Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States' Australia and Mexico. We welcome any and all youth who are committed to creating a more sustainable world and who wish to be part of a community that is striving towards that goal in a multitude of ways. Interested? [Get involved!]
[edit] How are we organized?
We work both globally and locally. NextGEN activists live around the globe. As a NextGEN regional group, you develop your own networking, outreach and educational programs which are responsive to your local needs. At the global level, representatives from each region and each program area meet to together as a Core Group. We use a form of governance known as Dynamic Self-Governance. [How to Start a NextGEN Regional Network]
- Download PDF "How to start a regional network"-
[edit] Our overall objectives
o Create a network for international young adult activists to provide mutual support for each other in our efforts to ensure that we will have a world to inherit and that, in turn, our children will have a future.
o Increase youth participation in the ecovillage movement
o Facilitate training opportunities for the leaders of tomorrow as "sustainable practitioners"
o Coordinate a robust intergenerational dialogue within the Global Eco-village Movement
[edit] Program Areas
NextGEN is divided into three program areas: Networking, Outreach, and Education and Training.
[edit] Networking
Networking, connecting . . . here is where we can help you find resources that offer inspiration and provide opportunities for action and support. The internet has the potential power to reach many other young people. Our website connects you with inspiring individuals, projects and ecovillages as well as print, video and audio materials. Links are available to regional ecovillages, sustainability projects, training and volunteer opportunities. We are developing a virtual book "The Hitchhikers Guide to Ecovillages " to make it easy for you to find youth friendly ecovillages. We also envision personal support - connecting you with other activists and with mentors (see more in Education and Training), offering local and regional social gatherings, and conference calls to support each other as we take action and join in collective projects in our local areas.
[edit] Creative Outreach
Outreach seeks to excite, inspire and involve you to get involved in the ecovillage /sustainability movement. How? First, we offer workshops to introduce you to the issues related to the need for a shift in modern life practices in order to protect the environment for future generations. We work collaboratively with other organizations and co-host local and international events for youth. Second, we work with ecovillages and other sustainability projects to encourage youth participation on as many levels as possible. To this end, outreach is developing relations with ecovillages in order to understand current youth involvement and identify youth who could take leadership roles in organizing for NextGEN. One long term goal is to develop a structure and format similar to WWOOF to allow more of us access to the knowledge and skills which can be learned through ecovillage life. We are planning an international conference in 2008 at the Tamera Ecovillage in Portugal.
[edit] Education and Training
As the future leaders and agents of social, economic, environmental and spiritual change, we need opportunities to acquire skills and benefit from the lessons learned by the elders in this movement.
Our immediate goals are to:
1. Offer information about education and training opportunities through the website
2. Pilot collaborative, short term, hands-on training programs at ecovillages for young adults
3. Offer the Ecovillage Design Education course in as many locations as possible
[edit] Our long term goals are to:
1. Support the development of NextGEN activists through a Mentor Program with GEN Elders. The Mentor Program is an invitation to elders to mentor NextGEN activists. The program will begin with a pilot to match committed NextGEN activists (known as Fellows) with GEN elders. Based on what is learned in the pilot, the Mentor Program will be refined and expanded. [Link to Mentor Program]
2. Offer training of trainers courses for the ecovillage and sustainability movement. We want to create a cadre of young adult trainers who can facilitate and co-facilitate the skills training required for sustainable living. A collaboration with existing educational models such as the EDE curriculum, Permaculture courses, Gaia University, Living Routes, The Traveling School of Life and others is envisioned.
3. Encourage and facilitate the establishment of regional coordination centers for training and education that will be accessible and affordable for young adults. We will coordinate training activities within each region to assure participation and access for youth. This could take the form of a regional coordination center at an ecovillage to assure that you have access to training that is relevant to you.
[edit] Our History
NextGEN was formed at the GEN + 10 conference in October 2005 convened at the Findhorn Ecovillage in Scotland. Over 50 young adults gathered at the conference as the GEN Youth Council. Sessions allowed conference participants to reflect on the role of youth in the Global Eco-village Movement. Based on this gathering, NextGEN, a youth organized branch of GEN, emerged to seek the support and community critical to creating global change. For more information about the founding of NextGEN go to: Link
Since the conference, the founding participants of NextGEN have developed a Mission and Vision.
In July 2006, NextGEN convened a planning meeting at the [Las Cañadas Ecovillage] in Huatusco, Mexico. The meeting brought together 30 activists from Asia, Europe, Africa, Mexico, the UK and the US. The meeting led to a committee structure to address how to create an effective international network, increase youth participation, provide relevant training and cultivate an intergenerational dialog.
[Read an article from the Findhorn Foundation online journal.]
PHOTOS FROM MEXICO Photos: Joshua Sage
In 2007, each region is developing a strategy for effective networking and outreach. In collaboration with ecovillages and other nongovernmental organizations, NextGEN will be sponsoring relevant training opportunities for young adults.
[edit] Philosophy: Roots and Branches
- Download PDF Brochure -
