nektarina (s)pace june 2013 issue
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Nektarina (S)pace June 2013 IssueTRANSCRIPT
NEKTARINA
(S)PACE
Food for
Thought In this issue:
Tara de Porte, Kevin Buckland,
Rianna Gonzales, Anam Gill,
Bettina Nada Fellov and many more
ISS
N 1
847-6
694
J
un
e 2013
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Nektarina
(S)pace
June
Flavours
NEKTARINA (S)PACE IS A WEBMAGAZINE PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY
NEKTARINA NON PROFIT, A NON PROFIT, NON GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATION. WWW.NEKTARINANONPROFIT.COM ISSN 1847-6691
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Nektarina (S)pace, Web Magazine
Year 2, Issue # 10, June 2013
Published by Nektarina Non Profit
ISSN 1847 - 6694
Under Creative Commons License
Working together towards a sustainable future.
www.nektarinanonprofit.com
Nektarina Non Profit is a non governmental, non profit organization, and
most of our projects are based on volunteer work. Our articles are a
compilation of data (where we always provide the source) or articles /
opinion pieces (in which case there is a by-line). We come from different
backgrounds, and English is not the first language for any of us, so there
might be an occasional flop :). If you are using any of our content, it would
be great if you could link it back to us, and if you are using other people’s
content (that you found in this magazine) please make sure to copy the
source links we provided. Thank you!
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This issue has been done in A4 format, and it is printable. However, we urge
to consider your environmental responsibility before printing. Choose read-
ing it online, or download it for free to your device and read it offline.
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Wrung up by:
Publisher: Nektarina Non Profit
Founder; Creative Director & Editor-In-Chief:
Sandra Antonovic
Editor-at-Large: Bettina Nada Fellov
Contributors for June issue:
Amanda Jane Saurin
Kevin Buckland
Tara DePorte
Jean Paul Brice Affana
Soronela Renita
Elena Livia Minca
Liberty Oseni
Syd Baumel
Anam Gill
Zeljko Jelavic
Camilla Lærke Lærkesen
Anne Vaergman
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A very special “thank you” to :
Rianna Gonzales
Joaquim L. Pimpao
Nihad Penava
Syd Baumel
and Llewelyn Jones
for sharing their thoughts and photographs
with us
Cover page photograph: Grated carrots;
Copyright Sandra Antonovic
Photo credits:
Page 3 Sandra Antonovic
Pages 8/9 Zeljko Jelavic
Pages 88/89 Denis Martini
Pages 90/91 Sandra Antonovic
Pages 252/253 James Strong
Pages 302/303 Zeljko Jelavic
Contributors: This could be you!
If interested, email us to
Nektarina (S)pace is a volunteer project.
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A letter from
the editor:
Throwing out
the rundown
By Sandra Antonovic
When you are in the media and news delivering business, the rundown is
pretty much your bible. It tells you what goes when, who does what, and how the
whole thing is supposed to look like at the end of the day. It gives you the
imaginary feeling of safety. Sometimes you end up throwing out the rundown -
it means that something has happened and that it’s worth changing everything
last minute. You don’t feel safe any more, you feel exhilarated, you feel like you
are about to do a parachute jump.
Every now and then we throw out the rundown of our own lives too, I
should know - I did it more than once. You jump, and then you figure out
things as you go along. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t, and one
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of my favourite quote sums it up rather well: “...so, never refuse an invitation,
never resist the unfamiliar, never fail to be polite, and never overstay your
welcome...just keep your mind open, and suck in the experience...and, if it
hurts, it was probably worth it.. “
Our May issue ended up having over 1,3 million views - the amount of
love and gratitude it fills me up with is impossible to describe. THANK YOU.
I threw out the rundown for this issue a week before it’s publishing date.
I did what I usually do in life—listen to everyone, then do it my own way
(and probably end up driving many people crazy). I can’t really explain why I
decided to throw out the rundown - I just knew we need to do it. So many
people wanted to contribute to this issue, and things were magically falling
together, and I fell in love with every little bit of this issue, every line, every
photograph. I am incredibly grateful to all contributors - most of us never met
in real life, yet we managed to produce something really beautiful, inspiring
and educational. We connected and we transformed that connection into this
issue - like magic, only better :).
I would also like to thank:
Nick for being The Little Prince and The Alchemist,
Alun and James for being true gentlemen,
Grant for inspiring me when I lost my inspiration,
Michel for reminding me of my duty, and
Tasneem for reminding me that we should never judge people,
but we should try to understand them.
A very special “thank you” together with my deepest love and respect goes to
Philip, who decided to call me Aleksandra, and I let him.
Enjoy reading!
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In this
issue:
A letter from the editor
World Oceans Day
The Woman of Substance: Rianna Gonzales
These Melting Mountains, photo essay: Kevin Buckland
Captivating Cameroon, photo essay: Jean Paul Brice Affana
Ecovillages change life in rural communities
World Environment Day
Being Vegan: Syd Baumel
Ethical Eating
Education for Sustainability Project
Moldova, Quo vadis?
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Llewelyn Jones: Youth, music, environment
Tara DePorte: I am an artist
Bettina Nada Fellov: Why did I get that crazy idea of
establishing a gallery
Gallery Art Fellov June Programme
Dragør - a pittoresque village with a strong
local community
Anne Vaergman: A childhood dream comes true. I am now
an author
Zeljko Jelavic: Inspiring River, photo exhibition
Amanda Jane Saurin: Daphne odora aureomarginata – my favourite flower…ever
Joaquim F. L. Pimpão: On Portugal,
Budapest, music, art and the world of social networking
Nihad Penava: Regarding Media
Anam Gill vs Pakistani Elections
Fighting cancer: Relay for Life
Sommerluk campaign
Bettina Nada Fellov: The sink if the bin for water
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Embracing
Oceans
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Embracing
Oceans
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The Woman
Of Substance :
Rianna
Gonzales
Interviewed by Sandra Antonovic
Photos copyrights Rianna Gonzales
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After Priti Rajagopalan and Jill MacIntyre Witt, who were featured in our
April and May issue as the women of substance, this month we talked to
Rianna Gonzales, a young Trinidadian greatly involved in promotion of youth
participation in environmental issues as the Regional Coordinator of the
Commonwealth Youth Environment Network and the National Coordinator of
the Caribbean Youth Environment Network.
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Nektarina (S)pace: You studied environmental and natural resources
management. How would you say we (as a society) are managing our natural
resources and why do we manage them the way we do?
Rianna Gonzales: Everyone seems to be aware that the environment and its
natural resources are important, however in their bid to grow and become
financially independent, countries, companies, and individuals alike blindly
sacrifice and exploit every possible resource. The repercussions are known,
however as a habitual being, humans across the globe continue to pillage the
forested lands, mountains, sea and atmosphere to satisfy the wants of the many.
Since the industrial era, the drive for development has resulted in the majority
of the world’s forests to be destroyed. The idea of development and prosperity
has always been towards large skyscrapers, industrial and manufacturing
centres, paved areas and fast living. China for example, was listed as the
highest carbon dioxide emitter in 2008, with an estimated annual emission of
seven million tonnes. Haiti was once called the Jewel of the Antilles and was
the richest colony in the entire world around 1750. Presently, Haiti is plagued
with disastrous soil erosion annually during the rainy season. This is as a
result of 200 years of exploiting the natural forest without replanting. The
trees were used primarily for fuel, and earning a living.
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The need to provide for a growing population is becoming increasingly stressful
on our natural resources. There has to be a greater appreciation amongst the
people and understanding that our natural resources are limited and that we
need to sustainably manage them so that future generations can also benefit
from them.
“Yes there are numerous laws, treaties,
conventions, rules and standards
but some of these lack the infrastructure
to be implemented, others are just not properly
structured or even known to the citizens
of the country or seem to be biased.”
Nektarina (S)pace: You have a double minor - in Marine Ecology and Zoology.
If you'd meet someone who has no idea what those two are, how would you
explain it to him/her?
Rianna Gonzales: Look on any map, over 70% of the Earth is covered by water.
Marine Ecology is the scientific study of marine-life, the habitats and
populations of plant and animal life as well as the interaction among
organisms and the surrounding environments. This field not only looks at the
relationship among the organisms in the sea but also the impact of human
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activities such as land development, fisheries and agriculture on the marine
habitat. It is amazing when you can link your random everyday activities to
issues that affect creatures and ecosystems miles away from you. For instance,
the plastic bag that is used to carry your groceries can actually, if not disposed
of properly can be taken for a jellyfish the main food source for marine turtles
and can lead to suffocation and death. As a diver and having experienced the
life above and below the water there is a desire to explore and also a connection
to the underwater world and its inhabitants.
“Imagine, we humans
have explored more of the moon’s surface
than the depths of the ocean.”
Zoology, is the study of all animals, their structure, physiology and evolution.
Personally, I’m not a dog person, or a cat person or a people person. I am an
animal person. I love animals and I’m amazed by their behaviours and
uniqueness. This area lets you get inside the body of animals and figure out
how their systems work. How they eat, reproduce, breathe, move, everything.
One of my favourite courses was Animal Behaviour; because it made me see
how closely linked animal interactions are to modern human behaviour. The
concepts and reasons of why we do certain things, our choices are deeply
animalistic in nature. The way animals chose their mates, protect their young,
find food, assert dominance is very similar to the actions we execute every day.
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Zoology, for me, started as the love of animals and the curiosity of wanting to
know everything but it also helped me to understand the behaviour of my
fellow humans. Studying the way animals work and function lured me
towards veterinarian studies at one stage in my life, but the diverse field of the
environment and environmental management won over me.
Nektarina (S)pace: You live in Trinidad and Tobago. What is specific, in
terms of marine biodiversity, to TnT and Caribbean / West Indies in general?
Rianna Gonzales: Trinidad and Tobago is home to a wide variety of coastal
and marine ecosystems including, coral reefs, seagrass beds, sandy beaches,
estuarine systems and open the sea. According to our most recent biodiversity
assessment, we have over 950 species of marine fish and 41 species of corals (40
of which are found in the Buccoo Reef), 7 species of mangroves, 4 species of
sea grasses and 198 species of marine algae.
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The Buccoo Reef is the only marine protected area in Trinidad and Tobago and
represents one of the largest and most popular coral reefs on the island. The
Buccoo Reef Marine park consists of five fringing reefs (Buccoo Reef to the
north), and a mangrove-fringed Bon Accord Lagoon (with a seagrass
community). In 2006 the Marine Park was also designated a protected area
under the internationally recognised RAMSAR Convention. Another unique
feature in Tobago is that it is home to the largest Brain Coral in the world
found at Speyside.
The Leatherback Turtle, which is an endangered species, nests on the shores of
Trinidad and Tobago. This is a matter of national pride to us since we have one
of the largest nesting populations in the world. The turtles are protected locally
under our laws and by a number of community groups which also collect data
on these turtles.
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Nektarina (S)pace: When we are talking about sustainable seas and oceans
what would you say are priorities, what should be the primary focus?
Rianna Gonzales: There are so many issues in our oceans and seas but I would
say that pollution, loss of habitat and biodiversity, overfishing and
unsustainable fishing methods as well as climate change are some of the major
areas of concern.
I would say that first priority for sustainable seas and oceans is cleaning them
up! The Sea Education Association (SEA) found that the average concentration
of plastics collected from the ocean was about 20,300 pieces per square
kilometre. In addition SEA found that, the concentration of plastics is not
increasing with time and suggested that the plastics may be breaking down into
such small pieces; sinking or being eaten by organisms.
“If marine organisms are consuming plastics,
then as their predators,
we may also be poisoning ourselves.”
In Trinidad and Tobago, the priority would also be to clean up the oceans and
seas. However, this would also mean cleaning up our rivers since most of the
marine-based issues are due to land-based pollution which are transported to
the oceans and seas via the 69 river systems on this twin island state.
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Nektarina (S)pace: You are now working for the Water Resources Agency.
Could you talk a little bit more about your work?
Rianna Gonzales: The Water Resources Agency as the name suggests we focus
on water, mainly freshwater resources. The Agency is charged with the
responsibility of monitoring, maintaining and conserving the freshwater
resources of Trinidad and Tobago. Our island is blessed with an abundant
supply of naturally occurring water; however the quality of the water may not
always be perfect. There are many anthropogenic impacts that adversely affect
our water courses. My responsibilities at the Agency, include watershed
assessments, water quality monitoring, rainfall trend analysis, coordinating
the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Stakeholders’ Forum,
public education and community development. From these areas I contribute
to the effective and efficient water resources management process both from
the bottom-up as well as from the top down. The field is very demanding but
also very fulfilling. I love my job and I think, that is the most important.
Nektarina (S)pace: You are currently completing your MSc in coastal
engineering and management. Could you talk a little bit about why you chose
that area, what inspired you and why.
Rianna Gonzales: I have always had a curiosity and passion about the marine
life and the ocean and the way in which humans have an impact upon it. After
my first dive off the coast of Tobago and while conducting research and
mapping coral reefs around the island, marine and coastal issues became to the
forefront of my mind. We as a small island state depend upon our beaches and
coral reefs for so much and yet very little was being done to protect it and
learn more about it. I had just finished my Bachelor’s and was deciding on a
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Masters program and this was when I decided to continue in the coastal and
marine area.
Coastal engineering is a relatively new area especially in the Caribbean where
there are very few persons with this specialization but even less with an
environmental background since most coastal engineers come from a civil
engineering field. When I chose this Masters program it was my aim to merge
the two areas so as to ensure that there is a balance. I also wanted to expand my
knowledge in the processes and dynamics of oceanography. I already had the
basis on the ecology and biology but knew very little on the ocean itself. This
program filled that gap and also gave me the insight on the engineering side of
things.
As a Small Island Developing State we only have so much land and most of our
economies and inhabitants live within the coastal zone. Interestingly, by some
definitions our entire island can be defined as a coastal zone and with the
emerging issues of coastal erosion and sea level rise i hope to bridge
environmental sciences and engineering to have a more integrated approach to
the design and development of coastline protection as well as the management
of the coastal zone.
Nektarina (S)pace: You were involved in a coastal cleanup (Beautify Trinidad
and Tobago projects). What was your experience?
Rianna Gonzales: There are several coastal cleanups that I partake in
throughout the year but the two main ones would be in March for the launch
of the Leatherback turtle nesting season and in September for the
International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). The support is overwhelming as people
come out in the thousands to participate in these events to remove garbage
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found on our beaches. One of the achievements is ensuring that the garbage
collected is sorted and recycled. However, there has to be a connection with the
activity itself and the change that you would like to achieve. We don’t want to
have to clean up the same beach every year; we would like to see a reduction in
the garbage but
trying to change a people’s culture is difficult
and that change won’t come unless the people
themselves want to change.
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Nektarina (S)pace: You are a member of UWI Biological Society. Could you
talk about the Society's activities, and could you explain turtle protecting
activities to our readers?
Rianna Gonzales: As an undergraduate, I was part of the UWI Biological
Society and one of the main activities conducted was Leatherback Turtle
education and protection activities. There are five species of sea turtles found
in the Caribbean, Leatherback Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), Green Turtles
(Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Loggerhead (Caretta
caretta) and the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea).
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Trinidad and Tobago is home to the second
highest population of nesting the endangered
Leatherback turtles in the world.
The nesting season starts from March 1st to August 31st during these months
the nesting beaches are protected under law and persons are not allowed to
walk the beaches without permits. There are four protected areas in Trinidad
– Matura, Grand Riviere Toco Region,Fishing Pond and Tobago. During the
nesting season we would go out on nightly patrols (since this is when the
turtles come on the beach to nest) and conduct tours to educate the public on
the Leatherbacks and the threats they face. Some of the major threats include;
being caught in the nets of fishermen, poachers and natural predators.
On patrols we work with the wildlife section of the Ministry of Forestry to
ensure that no one is on the beaches without permits as well as to protect
against poachers. During the night we also tag turtles with flipper tags so they
can be identified anywhere in the world. These activities are conducted from
late nights to early mornings walking miles of beaches to ensure that they can
lay their eggs in peace for proliferation of the species. One Leatherback Turtle
can lay up to 80 – 100 eggs at one time but also comes to shore at least 7- 10
times during nesting season, that is over 1000 eggs from one mother.
Unfortunately statistics shows that only about two hatchlings reach maturity
due to natural predation, fishing nets and poachers. This is why there is a
need to protect these prehistoric.
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Nektarina (S)pace: Why are coral reefs important and what can we do to
protect them?
Rianna Gonzales: Coral reefs also known as the rainforests of the sea, they are
not only beautiful but hold important roles in the environment. They are
crucial to fisheries since they are a nursery ground for many species of fish
such as snappers, groupers and other organisms. They provide a source of
income to many families as tour guides and also contribute to tourism. They are
the first line of coastal defence against storm surges and high intensity waves,
dissipating the energy and reducing the damage that can be caused landward.
An assessment completed in 2006 in gave an estimate of US$120 – 170 million
as the economic value of coral reefs in Tobago derived from services provided.
As much as they contribute these underwater forests are also very sensitive and
only survive within a small range of specific conditions. These include light,
temperature, clear and shallow waters. When these conditions are compromised
the results can be deadly. Changes in these conditions can come both naturally
(climate change and sea level rise) and by human activities. One of the most
significant human induced issue is from land based sources of pollution, such
as sewage, urban runoff and industrial effluent. These affect the temperature
and clarity of the water and eventually reducing the amount of light available
for the photosynthetic zooxanthellae found within the corals. Other issues are
persons walking on the reef and boat anchors smashing down on them.
To protect the reefs work has to be done to
reduce the amount of urban runoff and educate
locals and tourists on their impact on the corals.
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Nektarina (S)pace: How do you see sustainable development in Trinidad and
Tobago?
Rianna Gonzales: I am an optimistic person and I think that there have been
valuable strides to a more sustainable approach to development. Trinidad and
Tobago is a relatively young republic but we have come a long way, and there
have been a thrust to a more holistic approach to the management of resources.
We have a very strong environmental civil society that ensures that the
government are kept on their toes but also creates a platform for the education
of the public. As the Regional Chair of the Caribbean Youth Environment
Network (CYEN) we also play our part in ensuring that the youth, who are the
inheritors of the earth and the future decision makers, are knowledgeable on
the issues and are given the opportunity to express their concerns.
Sustainability, it is not a one shot project or
something that happens over night but a way of
life that we must all adapt too.
Sustainable development means meeting the
needs of today without compromising the needs
of the next generation.
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Rianna holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental
Studies and Natural Resource Management with Minors
in Marine Biology and Zoology, from The University of
West Indies, where she graduated at St Augustine
Campus, with honours. Rianna is currently pursuing
her Msc. In Coastal Engineering and Management. She
worked as a Research Assistant at the Trinidad and
Tobago Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine
Resources and at University of West Indies. Since 2009
she works at the Water Resources Agency in Trinidad
and Tobago.
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Arctic
Love
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Arctic
Love
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Kevin
Buckland:
These
Melting
Mountains
A photo essay
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By Kevin Buckland
These photographs were taken as I was part of the Cape Farewell Expedition, a
project that brings artists and scientists to the frozen Arctic frontier to reflect on
how to communicate the science and reality of climate change.
The beauty I saw there is indescribable: icebergs drifting across a mirror
sea like clouds, the glacier's edge is a cascade of blues, the singing streams laugh
out from beneath the mountains of ice. I spent the first two weeks enamored with
the scale of the Arctic's beauty.
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Then I took a walk. The clouds were hanging low like curtains when our
boat arrived at a rocky shore. We stepped onto land and clambered slowly
upwards, placing each step carefully on the slippery and broken stones. We
arrived at a sharp ridge and peered down upon the cracked white glacier we
had come to see. From that height we were staring back in time, looking at
water that had been frozen thousands of years ago. I snapped a few photos in an
attempt to record the majesty of ice. But when I brought my camera down, I
looked at what was beyond the frame of my photographs. There were stones all
around the snow, and a shallow lake at the base, and then more and more
mountains of stones. It looked like a construction site, after the bulldozers have
destroyed everything but before anything is built. The glacier didn't even reach
the ocean anymore.
Something occurred to me then: I am not here to send back photographs of the
endangered beauty I have seen, but to tell you of the beauty I have not seen.
The place where I was standing was where a glacier should have been. Only a
few years ago this would have all been frozen. The beauty changed for me then,
and the ice became a cold, hard truth.
“Something occurred to me then: I am not
here to send back photographs of the
endangered beauty I have seen, but to tell
you of the beauty I have not seen.”
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The icebergs that drift in the waves are not sculptures but the very real face of
sea-level rise. The singing streams are the glaciers melting. Quickly.
I have come to see the glaciers as windows in
time. Their blue lines show us the story of
water, gathered over thousands of years.
Looking at them we can see the past, frozen before our eyes. These melting
mountains can also show us a vision of the future - they show us how quickly
things can change, and how quickly beauty can disappear. But this future is
only one possible vision, one possible story. We are writing this story ourselves
and it is time to begin a new chapter.
The Sami Community
These photographs were taken on two journeys One journey on a boat with
the CapeFarewell Project to Svalbard, an island in the arctic; the other by
train to Northern Sweden, to spend time among the Sami community there.
The Sami are the native peoples of northern Scandinavia, and like many
indigenous communities they have found themselves on the front line of the
climate crisis. When we think about the losses imposed by “development” and
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climate change, we often think in terms of biodiversity and natural resources
loss. But the staggering diversity we have as a species, exists in our incredible
array of cultures. As recently as 300 years ago, almost every region had its
own way of dress, its own language, its own customs and its own culture
suited perfectly to their climate. When we talk about the losses of climate
change- we also risk losing the stories, the songs, the designs, and the very
languages of our own past.
The Sami reply, ‘Why did you put your roads
where our reindeer walk?
The reindeer were here first’”.
The Sami risk losing the beautiful details of their culture: the colorful
clothing that makes a room glow, the melodious songs that flow like water,
and the endless carving of reindeer antlers. As the “progress” invades the
territorial land of the Sami, their culture changes. Many can no longer
follow traditional migrations, as dams have flooded the rivers their reindeer
used to swim across. Highways and train-tracks dissect their territories like a
calculating surgeon, drawing impassible lines. It is not practical to cross a 4
lane highway with 2,500 reindeer, as it only breeds anger among those who
cannot get their cars through the living herd. One youth joked to me “They
say ‘Why do your reindeer have to walk where our roads are?’ but the Sami
reply, ‘Why did you put your roads where our reindeer walk? The reindeer
were here first’”.
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Kevin Buckland - ([email protected]) is an artist, artivist
organizer and the “Arts Ambassador” for the grassroots global
network 350.org. He works with many different aspect of the
global movement for climate justice, from inside the halls of the
UNFCCC to mass mobilizations, to promote creative
communication and beauty in the call for climate justice across
the globe. Harkening to the call that resistance can be
prefigurative, he aims to make this movement as beautiful as the
world we are fighting to save. He employs comedy, tragedy, farce,
satire, poetry and a great deal of cardboard in his attempts to end
empire and globalize justice. Videos, writings, and participatory
projects can be seen at www.ctrlartshift.org.
As the trees in that area are harvested, the moss goes too – and the reindeer
walk different paths. As mines come in the berries are dug up with the
uranium, the roads pave over the mushrooms. Each culture is like a recipe, a
mixture of pieces of past that combine into the most delicious and creative
ways. As we start removing ingredients, we start to forget the recipes.
Many of the details of a culture and the stories that sustain it, are in
fact the stories of sustainability- tricks that help the potatoes to grow and
unwritten laws that keep the fish populations safe. This knowledge that has
grown with the land has in many places been forsaken by the bright lights of
progress. Yet, it still is alive in places like the glowing snows of the Artic and
in it is alive in the stories our elders tell us. As we look forward towards an
endless future, we see so far that we are looking into our own past.
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AFRICA
Bold and
Beautiful
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Captivating
Cameroon Photography by Jean Paul Brice Affana
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Ecovillages change life
in rural
communities
Compiled by Audu Liberty Oseni
Photos by Jean Paul Brice Affana
Ecovillage system is an approach adopted for rural people to put together
acceptable social setting with a minimal-impact lifestyle. To make this a
reality, they put together different facets of ecological designs ranging from
permaculture and ecological building, through green production and
alternative energy, to community building practices, etc.
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Interventions on this are seen across West African communities, Earth
Rights Institute is developing ecovillage at Odi community at Bayelsa State,
Nigeria. The fundamental aim of the project is to put in place a novel form of
design, refurbishment and urban planning after the community has been ravaged
by war. The project is tagged “The Green City Program” for Odi. The project would
in its first phase provide 5,000 households with inexpensive housing for more than
a 5-year time. The project will bring together all stakeholders to take part in
planning how this initiative can achieve equitable growth and bring healthy
community.
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In Senegal, Mbackombel linked with ecovillages breathe new life into
rural communities. This initiative has brought about solar power and an
irrigation scheme that are transforming rustic areas into a model. The
Mbackombel project has brought new innovation to farming and herding
practices, putting in place water and energy supply. Demba Mamadou Ba,
Director of Senegal’s National Agency for Ecovillages, said ecovillage will
transform villages into modern and this represents an investment of a million
dollars. In a similar development, Alouise Thiaw said rural-urban migration
has been reversed in Mbackombel as many youth are making income from
ecovillage project. To him, he was apprenticed to a mason in Dakar, the
launching of ecovillage project made him to return and he is making profit
working in the ecovillage. He earns 55,000 CFA francs (106 dollars) monthly.
Ecovillage system is an approach adopted
for rural people to put together acceptable
social setting with a minimal-impact lifestyle.
The ecovillage project in Senegal was commenced in 2008 with a 4.5
million-dollar support from the Global Environment Facility and the United
Nations Development Programme. The project was initiated and is being
jointly implemented by the Africa Enterprise Development Agency. The
ecovillage project is the best poverty reduction strategy and is a facilitating
means of attaining the Millennium Development Goals.
85
This was affirmed when Bachir Camara, the president of the monitoring
council for the national ecovillage agency, revealed that Senegal has arranged to
put in place 14,000 ecovillages by the year 2020, within the framework of
poverty reduction strategy.
There is also the Senegal Ecovillage Microfinance Fund created to tackle
poverty by making available affordable business loans to the poor. The fund is
meant to support small scale business holders who do not have access to the
commercial banking system. Specifically the fund is to aid the very poor villages
that are part of Senegal's Global Ecovillage Network (GEN).
86
In Gambia, the ecovillage in Tumani Tenda Community has been
transformed into a full blown tourism centre that brings visitors from all over
the globe. Money gotten from tourist visits to the ecovillage goes to the Village
Development Fund which is used for the provision of facilities and family needs
in the village. At the moment, funds gotten from the eco-tourism camp have
made it possible to pay the taxes for the entire village, support community
project and provide health for the village by buying medicines for the village
dwellers.
In Liberia, a group known as the Groundwork is partnering with the
government on its plan to build a new community that will provide about 500
87
families with housing which it tagged the Ultra-low-cost Ecovillage.
Similarly, Reciproka, a regional organization based in Burkina Faso, is
working with local community participants to put in place an ecovillage.
Apparently, efforts for sustainable development should not rely on
government alone; it can be achieved if communities are adequately engaged
in designing and implementing their development model. There is urgent need
to start rebuilding villages via ecovillage model which in the meantime can be
transformed into inclusive city. At present many villages in West Africa lack
basic necessities of live and as a result there is great rural-urban migration
which heightens urbanisation and urban unemployment. This is likely to be
the case for years to come as governments in West Africa are yet to prioritise
development of villages.
Obviously, ecovillage is one of options for poverty reduction as it will
address village poverty; enhance economic change, environmental
sustainability, check massive rural-urban migration by providing jobs for
youth in the villages. With impact of ecovillage across villages in West Africa,
if the required funds and supports needed to develop numerous of their kinds
are met, many villages in the region are likely to be transformed by the year
2020 and this should reduce the pressure on urban cities across the region.
To learn more about West Africa,
please visit West Africa Insight.
In our July issue we bring you the interview with its founder,
Audu Liberty Oseni.
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89
90
Eating sense
91
Eating sense
92
A recent study has revealed that
about one third of all food
production world-wide gets lost or
wasted in the food production and
consumption systems, amounting to
1.3 billion tonnes. In industrialized
nations, retailers and consumers
discard around 300 million tonnes
that is fit for consumption, around
half of the total food squandered in
these regions. This is more than the
total net food production of
Sub-Saharan Africa and would be
sufficient to feed the estimated 900
million people hungry in the world.
The Think.Eat.Save campaign of
the Save Food Initiative, is a
partnership between UNEP, FAO
and Messe Düsseldorf, and in
support of the UN Secretary-
General’s Zero Hunger Challenge,
which seeks to add its authority and
voice to these efforts in order to
galvanize widespread global,
regional and national actions,
catalyze more sectors of society to be
aware and to act, including through
exchange of inspiring ideas and
projects between those players
already involved and new ones that
are likely to come on board.
93
94
Nektarina (S)pace: When and why did you become vegan?
Syd Baumel: I began following a mostly vegetarian diet in 1980 when I was
27. Back then it was quite easy for a compassionate, politically progressive
person to be blissfully ignorant of the animal abuse that makes the joys of
pizza, hamburger and milkshakes possible. But I was a heavy reader and
eventually that took me to vegetarianism. I liked what I read. As soon as I was
convinced it was a safe and healthful choice, my conscience said “you're gonna
have to eat this way, too.”
I didn't become a by-the-book vegetarian. Perhaps self-servingly, I reasoned
that the life of a very small, primitive animal might not be more “worthy” or
even sentient than a whole flowering plant, so I allowed myself to enjoy some
shrimp or scallops once a week or so. I also was – although I didn't know the
Syd Baumel:
Being Vegan Canadian writer, editor, composer, artist, animal rights
activist and a long time vegan, Syd shares his views on
ethical eating, animal food industry and PETA.
Interviewed by Sandra Antonovic
All photo copyrights Syd Baumel
95
word then – a "freegan": if leftover animal food was destined for the garbage, I
ate it. To throw it out, I felt (and still do), would merely add insult to injury.
I also sought out free-range eggs, because I knew about the abusive battery
cages where hens were stuffed like sardines all their laying lives. But when it
came to milk and cheese, I was either ignorant or in denial about the suffering
dairy cows commonly endure. Nor for a long time did I get the memo about
veal, the decadent byproduct of modern milk production. Within days of birth
(sometimes just hours), the cow's male calves are wrenched away from her
either to be slaughtered immediately to make “bob veal” or after a few months
tied up alone inside a wooden crate. How sweet. Neither did I have a clue that
the hatcheries where hens come from (even free-range hens) regard male
chicks as waste. One of several common cruel fates for these newborns is to be
tossed down a chute, still alive and chirping, into the welcoming blades of a
high-speed industrial grinder. Again, such sweetness and light. These fully
legal standard operating practices were common knowledge among informed
vegans, but I was not yet one of them. Worse, as I would learn years later while
doing a feature article on Canada's egg industry, the very same horrible fate
awaited many of the hens when they, having laid all the eggs they had in them,
also became a waste disposal problem for Canada's good egg producers.
By 2000, I had absorbed a lot of this information, but it took the sudden illness
and death of a very, very dear pet cat to push me “over the edge” into veganism.
Somehow, my love for this fluffy piece of my heart was generalized to all
animals. My cat Erik had not, by his very nature, been capable of being
anything other than a carnivore. I had more options. I embraced a fully vegan
diet – with the exception of those freegan transgressions of the letter, but not
the spirit, of veganism as I interpret it. I also began sparing the invertebrates.
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Nektarina (S)pace: In 2003 you wrote an article about ethical eating (that was
published in The Aquarian and we are now featuring in this issue) and a year
later you created eatkind.net. Could you tell us a little bit about both the article
and the website/blog, what prompted you to do them and what did you hope to
achieve?
Syd Baumel: Erik's death didn't just push me into veganism, it made me ask
myself if it was enough just to follow a humane diet without actively urging
others to do too. I decided it wasn't. Soon an offer to produce the Winnipeg
Vegetarian Association newsletter came up, and I took it. That was my gateway
drug to several years of intense activism and advocacy, including co-founding
and co-directing a local animal advocacy group.
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But, as I wrote in that Aquarian editorial, it didn't take long for me to realize
that giving people an all-or-nothing moral ultimatum to "go veg!" makes it all
too tempting for most people to say “no thanks” and carry on eating their –
typically – ethically unexamined diet. So I decided to reframe the message
from "go veg" to "eat ethically." Eating ethically includes veganism as an op-
tion, but a whole lot less and a whole lot more too. It invites people who eat
meat to – as the Humane Society of the United States puts it - “reduce, refine
and replace” the animal foods in their diets. But it also challenges vegans to
care more about the sustainability and social responsibility of how their plant
foods are produced. “Does your vegan chocolate include brutalized children in
its supply chain?”
For a while I thought about writing a book about ethical eating, but the
announcement of a new book by vegan philosopher Peter Singer on what
looked to be the same subject (The Way We Eat) and the subsequent
publication of Michael Pollan's hugely successful The Omnivore's Dilemma
led me to follow the path of least resistance and not attempt such an ambitious
project. Instead, I created eatkind.net. Initially I planned to make it a source
of information and commentary centred around a global directory of links to
sellers of ethical food and related information and advocacy websites. Alas,
traffic was weak and I've since neglected the site. But recently I've become
quite active on my associated ethical eating blog http://eatkind.blogspot.ca/.
My goal, whether through eatkind.net, my published writings and other media
and advocacy is to help move the goal posts away from cruelty and closer to
kindness, particularly to food animals, because they suffer so much and in
such overwhelming numbers. Sixty billion farmed animals are bred and
slaughtered every year.
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Nektarina (S)pace: Could you explain to our readers the correlation between
climate change and our food / dietary choices?
Syd Baumel: It's a tremendously consequential correlation. Several years ago,
the UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that the livestock
industry is responsible for 18% of the world's human-caused greenhouse gas
emissions [http://www.fao.org/ag/magazine/0612sp1.htm]. Separately, scientists
from the University of Chicago calculated that switching from the typical
American diet to a vegan diet would reduce a person's emissions by one and a
half tonnes a year. Another study from Carnegie Mellon University estimated
that replacing beef and dairy with vegan alternatives for just one day a week
reduces emissions more than eating locally sourced food all week [http://
www.newscientist.com/article/dn13741-food-miles-dont-feed-climate-change--
meat-does.html]. Thanks to these and other studies, there's a growing
realization among climate experts that meat-eating is to diet what SUVs and
jetliners are to transportation. Quite literally, because about 4 to 15 times as
much oil and natural gas are used to produce a pound of animal protein vs a
pound of plant protein. That's not all. Some animals – notably ruminants, like
cattle and sheep – convert a great deal of the carbon in their forage and feed
into methane, which is a much more potent greenhouse gas. Finally, manure
gives off nitrous oxide gas, an even more potent GHG. As a result of this hard
knowledge, more and more experts, from the authors of top-drawer scientific
papers to leading climate science personalities – people like the famous
climatologist, James Hansen; Rajendra Pachauri, head of the IPCC; and the
influential climate change economist Lord Nicholas Stern – are advocating
that people who care about climate change should slash their animal food
consumption (if it's high), even "go veg," as Stern has. Pachauri, an observant
Hindu, always has been.
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Still, it should be said that from an ethical eating perspective, it's wrong to
focus entirely on animal foods. Traditionally produced rice, for example, is
also a significant contributor because the paddies give off lots of methane.
Eating locally can make a difference, as can some sustainable agriculture
practices, whether you're growing turkeys or tofu. I'm excited to see
initiatives, as in Sweden, to label every food with its carbon footprint so
consumers can make enlightened choices . We need much more of that.
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Nektarina (S)pace: Could you share with us how you see PETA's activities?
What would you like them focus on more (or less)?
Syd Baumel: I believe PETA has changed the world. And in more ways than
most people realize. There's a tendency to see PETA as a narrow vegan-
advocacy organization, with some saucy anti-fur campaigning on the side. But
among PETA's many achievements, it practically invented hard-hitting,
pedal-to-the-metal farm animal welfare activism. We are inheriting a world
in which the worst practices of factory farming are falling away under the
harsh light of PETA-led or inspired scrutiny. Factory farming is becoming a
pariah industry. My impression is that PETA has done more than any other
organization to initiate this jihad for farm animal welfare and – at least
until recently, as other great groups have, arguably, overtaken it – to wage
that holy war. Every time someone goes vegan or eats less meat thanks to the
work of PETA and thousands of organizations large and small that have
followed in its wake, farmed animals are spared lives not worth living and
gruesome, sometimes horrifying deaths. But, perhaps even more importantly,
billions of animals who continue to be farmed are living less cruel and
degrading lives and dying less horrifying deaths thanks to PETA et al. So all
I can say to PETA is "sure, you've done some loopy things on occasion, but,
overall, keep up the great work."
Nektarina (S)pace: How difficult / easy is it to find vegan-friendly restau-
rants, hotels, clothes, shoes etc stores? Why would you say that is?
Syd Baumel: Even in a mid-sized North American city like Winnipeg, one's
options eating out vegan-style are pretty constrained. For clothes – as a man –
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the biggest challenges are decent shoes and belts. Being a vegan consumer in a
city like Winnipeg is very doable – with help from mail-order shopping – but
it could be a lot better. On the other hand, we swim in a culture of
omnivorism. Inducements to eat meat are everywhere. There's never a hint of
the animal abuse that makes most of it possible. Kind people who adopt cats
from shelters go home to enjoy a pork roast from a month's-old pig and ice
cream from a worn out, osteoporotic cow that had to limp into the truck to the
slaughterhouse and be dragged and prodded off of it – but none of this crosses
their minds. The disconnect – the denial – is awesome. It's the opposite of
ethical eating. As a civilization, our moral compass is only beginning to point
to these moral contradictions. Most of us still cling to blindness and ignorance.
But I am hopeful we will let go of those illusions, perhaps sooner than one
might think. Social revolutions are gradual at first. But eventually a sea
change comes, and usually it comes quite suddenly.
Nektarina (S)pace: What do you eat? For example what did you eat yesterday?
Syd Baumel: I love my vegan diet. And I'm someone who would gladly stuff
his face with meat, milk, eggs, cheese etc. if they grew on trees.
Part of the reason I love my vegan diet is because it's becoming easier and
easier to satisfy those acquired animal flavour cravings with vegan imitations.
The other part is that once you've removed the real animal stuff from your
menu, suddenly all the other foods stop being so ... "second fiddle." Here in
North America, for most people meals still centre around animal protein, and
my theory is that the intensely gratifying aromas and flavours of animal foods
make them the crack cocaine of the kitchen in the same way that sweet and
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fatty pastries and snack foods reliably tempt taste buds away from sweet and
healthy fruits, nuts and seeds. But if you banish the animal cocaine from your
diet, you begin to appreciate protein-rich plant foods with clean, rehabilitated
taste buds. Not only do the plant-based staples - legumes, grains, even root
vegetables, not to mention nuts and seeds - taste much better now, you find
yourself in hot pursuit of more of them. A broad, diverse cuisine opens up to
you - as deliciously demonstrated by Nektarina's own culinary publications -
that also supercharges your diet with essential nutrients and health-
promoting phytochemicals.
Basically, I eat a lot of beans and grains as my primary protein sources as
well as a serving or two most days of faux animal foods, some nuts and seeds, a
broad "spectrum" (literally) of vegetables, some fruit and usually some sweets
like ethically sourced chocolate, vegan ice cream or pie. Last night I made
myself a really satisfying pizza, something I never could do until a Canadian
company called Daiya recently came up with vegan cheese wedges that -
finally - taste like the real thing (and melt like it). If I may digress, Daiya's
wedges represent an ethical quandary for ethical eaters. A main ingredient is
palm oil. Normally, palm oil is a no-no because the industry is destroying
precious rainforest and habitat for Indonesia's endangered orangutans. Daiya,
however, claims to source its palm oil from sources in Brazil who grow their
palm without destroying new rainforest. For now, I'm erring on the side of
trusting Daiya and pleasing my taste buds.
Nektarina (S)pace: Any recipes you'd like to share?
Syd Baumel: As you know, I'm just not a recipe guy. It's constraining, and I
naturally cook the way I paint and make music – by improvising and
104
imagining. This is easy to get away with because usually I'm the only one who
has to eat what I cook, although my cat Jasmine thinks everything on my plate
was meant for her.
Nektarina (S)pace: You are an editor, writer, composer...Do you have any
plans on writing a book about veganism?
Syd Baumel: I bet if I searched for "vegan" on Amazon, I would find at least
100 books. Although I've only read a few of them, they've all been very good to
excellent. So no books on veganism are needed from this guy. There's a remote
chance I might follow up on an idea I've had for a while to write a book
tentatively titled "The End of Meat (As We Know It)." But, like ethical
eating, that would go well beyond the confines of veganism. And I might write
it as a blog instead of a book.
Nektarina (S)pace: How would you encourage other people to become vegan?
Syd Baumel: That's a tough question. One on one, I basically try and
encourage people to eat more ethically, to take whatever the next conceivable
step seems to be for them. For some people that is becoming vegan. I always
urge them to get high quality information about how to do it right (I
recommend the website veganoutreach.org). Myself, I would probably be
unable to follow a vegan diet if I didn't take a carnitine supplement. All
vegans need to take B12 or get plenty from fortified food. Details like that are
important, but mostly they're just “set and forget.” In my writings, I
necessarilly pitch my messages to a more diverse audience. For readers of this
publication, for instance, I would simply encourage them to be more
conscientious about the food they eat, to read and study food politics, to endure
those horrible (but real) videos from PETA and hundreds of other brave
undercover investigators – and let their conscience do its work.
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106
Ethical Eating
It's time to extend our sphere of moral
concern to include the lives that sustain us
By Syd Baumel
A little over a year ago, two years into my transition from
mild-mannered vegetarian to in-your-face vegan, I came to the conclusion
that most people don't want to buy what I have to sell. I was failing in my
would-be mission as an advocate for the nearly 50 billion farm animals
slaughtered every year around the world. The goal posts of vegetarianism,
much less veganism, were set far too high for most people – and some
questioned the goal itself.
Might there be a better way, I wondered, for my ethical vegetarian colleagues
and I to reach the resistant masses? It has always been anguishingly obvious
to people like us that most nonvegetarians do love animals; yet . . . they still
eat them.
I found myself meditating on this challenge at the lake that summer, and
quickly a vision of another strategy took shape.
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In other words, I wanted myself, my activist colleagues, and others not yet even
involved in this inclusive mass movement to send people an alternative
message about food: you don't have to be ethical all the time (or according to
other people's standards) to be ethical. You don't have to be the Dalai Lama to
be a good guy – indeed, even the Dalai Lama eats meat every other day.*
You're probably not a vegetarian either. Only about 4% of Canadians are. But I
bet you're concerned about issues related to your dietary choices – issues like
protecting the environment, supporting farmers and other people in the food
production chain, being kind to animals, and eliminating world hunger.
Perhaps you're buying organic food more often because it's better for the envi-
ronment, for farmers and public health, and typically for animals too. Per-
haps you're eating more humane-certified, free range, or grazed/pastured
animal products because you believe any animal that puts food on your table
ought to be treated with at least a little compassion.
Compromise. Tell people any change is better than no change at all.
Get people and organizations of influence – movie stars, political and spiritual
leaders, scientists, intellectuals – to speak up with one voice for ethical eating.
Reframe the message from all-or-nothing veganism to anything-is-better-than-
nothingism and the-more-the-betterism. As I was later to write in a letter to
The New York Times Magazine, the opposite kind of all-or-nothing reasoning
by the magazine's food columnist – that "if you cannot be merciful to all edible
animals, you needn't be merciful to any" – "is a recipe for moral indifference.
Every act of mercy is a sufficient act of kindness unto itself."
108
Perhaps you oppose genetically modified crops because you believe they
pose a threat to biodiversity – and therefore to the world's food security – or
because you worry that GMOs threaten public health.
Perhaps you drink fair trade coffee or tea or eat fair trade chocolate so as
not to support the exploitation of impoverished farmers in the developing
world – even child slaves, in the case of chocolate.
Perhaps you give generously to aid agencies or donate to food banks so
that others can eat too.
If you do any of these things, you're part of a burgeoning, spontaneous,
and so far nameless movement (I would call it the ethical eating movement, a
subset of ethical consumerism) of people who strive to eat not just what's good
for number one, but what's good for everyone. You are extending your sphere
of moral interest to include the very food chain that sustains you. You are
co-authoring a new chapter in the moral awakening of humanity. Ethical
eating, like ethical living, is not about absolutes. It's about doing the best
you're willing and able to do – and nurturing a will to keep doing better.
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Inspiring and yummy recipes from Mediterranean countries
for vegetarians and vegans!
Browse online or download the cookbook for free
http://www.issuu.com/nektarinapublishing/docs/
low_carbon_and_delicious
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111
112
Education
for
Sustainability
Education for Sustainability is an international project
created and launched by Nektarina Non Profit in 2011.
To learn more about the project please visit
www.education4sustainability.org
This interview was done in May, for the Moldovan
environmental magazine “Natura” with the Project
Leader Sandra Antonovic.
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Soronela Renitsa: How was the idea of the project ”Education for
Sustainability” born?
Sandra Antonovic: In September 2011 we participated in an international
conference that touched quite a few subjects related to sustainability and
sustainable future. As we were sitting there, listening to amazingly inspiring,
but also very rational lectures and discussions, our main thought was: „Why
isn’t this taught in schools? Wouldn’t it be easier to tackle all environmental,
social and economic sustainability issues if we were aware of them early on, if
we studied (early on) challenges, practices, positive examples but also
mistakes?
Within weeks we attended the Schumacher Centenary Festival and we spent a
few days in Stockholm on a Professional Study Visit organized by the City of
Stockholm, where we learned more about their efforts to become more
sustainable. What we found really interesting and useful was that the city of
Stockholm actually likes to present their mistakes – not to brag about them,
but to help understand what went wrong, why, how it was remedied, and what
were the lessons learned. This approach was so very much different from what
one usually sees – presented good outcomes, with little or no in-depth analysis
of mistakes and challenges, and we found it to be very constructive and
pragramtic. „Every problem contains its own solution.” was something we
heard many times during those weeks, and we wanted to help in creating a
solution. We turned back to basics- Nektarina’s basics too – educate, connect,
inspire – if we can help educate young people on sustainability, if we can
facilitate a platform or a way for them to connect, exchange experiences,
thoughts, learnings, ideas and practices, we could create a base that would
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inspire others to think in a more sustainable way when it comes to ...well, to
everything, really.
Soronela Renitsa: How did you get involved in the project, what are your
responsibilities as project leader and why ”Education for Sustainability”?
Sandra Antonovic: The birth of the project was a team effort, really, and when
I say „a team effort” I don’t mean just the Nektarina team (we never had more
than a few people on board anyway), I mean a whole lot of other people, all of
whom, knowingly or unknowingly, helped crystalize and develop this idea.
The thing with ideas is that they usually need a katalyst, sometimes more than
115
We, as individuals (and consequently as a
society) need to become bold enough to think
new thoughts, in a new way. It’s a process, and
this project is a part of that process.
one. If you keep them to yourself, eventually you will suffocate them. If you
let them out in the public, discuss them, ponder about them, you will virtually
see them breathe, evolve, grow, disolve, re-emerge, change, develop.
Ideas, and consequently projects, nowadays are extremely organic, they are
like a living organism – while their essence remains the same, they change
many forms as they try to fit into local circumstances, mindsets, opportunities
and difficulties. A project leader working on an international project needs to
understand that the project cannot be implemented in the same way in Poland
and in Pakistan – numerous external factors, from political, economic, ethnic
to religious, cultural and historical tend to impact the course of the project
implementation, and one of the things a project leader does is assesing all
these outside factors, in order to create a localized approach and in project
implementation. Furthermore, a project leader follows current events on
educational policies, developments from decision making organizations like
European Commision, United Nations and similar, in order to help evaluate
and determine the next steps, possible ways forward, advocating positions,
coherent argumentation etc.
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Why „Education for Sustainability”? I suppose the simplest explaination
would be that we will never reach a needed level of sustainabble living unless
we educate ourselves – it doesn’t necessarily need to be a formal education,
but it needs to be a deeply comprehensive one, a truly pragmatic one and a
highly applicable one. We need to understand the cause and effect, we also
need to understand the need to act, not just dwell on theory. We also need to
blend a global with a local – sustainability in Bangladesh is very much
different from sustainability in Canada, but Canada’s actions impact very
much even countries as (geographically) remote as Bangladesh. A sense of
global inter-dependancy is present, but it needs to become main stream. One
way to do it is to change the way we educate children, youth, people.
A sense of global inter-dependancy is present,
but it needs to become main stream.
Einstein once said that you cannot solve a problem by applying the same logic
that was used when the problem was created. We cannot solve our
environmental, social and economic problems (as a society) by teaching our
descendants in the same way we were taught. The way we learn needs to
change, fundamentally. The internet, social media, blogs, independent media
etc are helping that change, but we need to bring it to the higher level. We
need to change, evey one of us, in order to create a global (positive) change.
We, as individuals (and consequently as a society) need to become bold
117
enough to think new thoughts, in a new way. It’s a process, and this project is
a part of that process.
When you know that you changed something,
but you were also changed, moved in a
different direction, your way of thinking got
challenged, or just widened - that’s when you
know that, however difficult your days may
get, you will try again tomorrow.
Soronela Renitsa: What do you enjoy most in your job, and what do you find
to be the most difficult part of it?
Sandra Antonovic: I’d say fundraising is the most stressful and the most
challenging part. Talking to people, listening to their views, experiences,
ideas – that’s , by far, the best part of my job. When you feel your thoughts
merge with the thoughts from someone from Pakistan, or India, or Moldova,
or Dominican Republic, when you know that at the end of each working day
you changed something, you moved something forward, but you were also
changed, moved in a different direction, your way of thinking got challenged,
or just widened - that’s when you know that, however difficult your days may
get, you will try again tomorrow, and you will keep moving forward.
118
Soronela Renitsa: From the feedback you have had, how are the ”decision
makers” from various countries reacting to this initiative?
Sandra Antonovic: The „decision makers” are, more often than not,
politicians. When we get lucky enough to enter into a dialogue with a
politician, who is, at the same time, an expert in something else (other than
pure politics), be it education, or economy, or sustainability, or environmental
or social sciences, we tend to get a more promissing response. In order for
this project to move forward, we need to engage (and maintain) a dialogue
with the governing bodies. At the same time, because we are a non profit, non
governmental organization, we have an obligation to the society we are
serving to question things, to challenge, to demand, to argue, to advocate.
Balancing the two is never easy, but, as my former boss used to say: „Every
challenge is a window of opportunity.”
Soronela Renitsa: How do you persuade people to think and act globally, not
simply locally? How do you make them understand the necessity of
”Education for Sustainability” in this process?
Sandra Antonovic: Unfortunately, the nature is doing it for us – severe
environmental issues we have been facing and will continue to face are
showing us the interdependency I talked about earlier. It is becoming more
and more evident that extracting tar sands impacts not only Canada, but the
world as a whole (through higher carbon emissions). Huge oil spills do not
impact only places where they occur, they become international, global
ecological disasters.
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Soronela Renitsa: From your point of view, how does a developing country with
rather unsustainable practices become sustainable? What are the stages it has to go
through, and approximately how much time do you think it can take?
Sandra Antonovic: I read recently that the US changed most of its economy from a
„regular economy” to a „war economy” in a matter of months at the beginning of
the second world war. Hence, a huge change, a serious shift, can be achieved, if
you have a governmetal consensus. Sadly, governments tend to adapt to change
quicker when it suits them, or when the circumstances are extremely severe (as
was WW II), but the main point here is that societies are capable of changing.
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Once we are „grown-up” as a society, as a mind
set, we will make more sustainable choices,
starting with choosing the governments focused
on the sustainable future.
When it comes to sustainability, we still need a government consensus. We
can all recycle, and change light bulbs, and live low carbon lives, but if we
cannot get our governments to change things on a national, regional and
global level, not much will change. How do we do that? How do we get our
governments to make more sustainable decisions and choices? I don’t think
there is one formula that we could just copy/paste from country to country. I
think we need to be more careful of who we elect to power. I think we, as
citizens, as voters, need to look at the big picture, we need to think about what
would be the impact of things occurring today on the lives of our children.
Building pipelines may open a few hundred jobs, but at what (longterm)
price?
It is not easy for us, as citizens, to think in those (longterm) terms, as we are
mainly struggling with economic issues most of the time, so we tend to focus
on fast, short term solutions that will help our own individual situation, rather
than choosing the solutions that may be harder short term, but would be more
beneficial long term. My feeling is that once we are „grown-up” as a society,
as a mind set, we will make more sustainable choices, starting with choosing
the governments focused on the sustainable future.
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Soronela Renitsa: What would your message be for the ”decision makers”
from Moldova (the Ministry and Departments of Education, Schools’
Councils and Boards...), as well as for all its citizens, the people who would
potentially benefit from an education in a sustainable manner and its results?
Sandra Antonovic: Think forward, think longterm. That would be my
message. Kennedy said long time ago that we all cherish our children’s future,
and it is true, we all do. Thinking in sustainable terms today means that we
will manage to leave something for our children, not in material terms, but in
terms of natural environment, biodiversity and a (potential) for reaching an
economic and social stability.
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Moldova
Quo vadis?
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Moldova – Quo Vadis?
(On its path to sustainability through education)
By Sorenela Renita
Two years ago, whilst I was an exchange pupil in Great Britain, the
Senior Master of “Sedbergh School” took interest in my country, and asked me
to make a presentation on it. There are three significant moments that I recall
from that experience.
First of all, I discovered that the question “Where is Moldova?”, which I
was frequently asked, became the title of a board game, due to England and
Moldova’s match on September 1st 1996. This also represented what I believe to
be a “catchy” introduction to my talk. Secondly, even though I was slightly
nervous at the beginning, when the images of the slideshow came up, I caught
myself wondering how it is possible for such places to remain unknown, and
unappreciated, still. Therefore my motivation grew stronger. Then, an hour
later, teachers approached me saying: “With its ups, and downs, Moldova seems
wonderful…we want to visit it one day!”
At the end of this article, I am hoping that you will come to the same
conclusion as my professors did. Thus, by evaluating its ability to evolve, the
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necessity to contribute to this state’s education in a sustainable manner will
be perceived better. In the process we shall mention later on Nektarina’s
partner – the Ecological Movement of Moldova.
Grape-shaped on the map, in the South-Eastern part of Europe, with its
mother country Romania in the West, surrounded by Ukrainian borders in
the North, East and South, Moldova is a book waiting to be written, a book
waiting to be read.
Entering its picturesque lands, could be easily confused with a “journey”
through Sisley, Pissarro or Monet’s paintings, although the roads that lead to
its beauties can be rather damaged. However, once arrived at the destination,
you will feel that the pain was worth the reward.
An “encounter” with Chisinau, the capital, home to approximately 780,000
people, could serve as a starting point to one’s exploration, but it would be a
pity not to go beyond its “walls”.
Moldovan landscapes are far from being dull – there is colour (5513 species of
plants) and dynamic (15000 species of animals) in our centuries-old woods,
fields cut across by chains of hills with steep slopes, abrupt or smooth
hillocks, valleys, miniature “canyons”, meandering rivers…
Visiting Tapova, Socola, Japca, Saharna, Soroca, Tighina, The Old Orhei
(Orheiul Vechi), Rudi-Arionesti, Napadova, Trifauti, Duruitoarea, Pererita,
etc. you shall have a taste of all these various elements.
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But besides the locations mentioned above, our 5 scientific reserves need to be
highlighted briefly.
“Lower Prut” (“Prutul de Jos”) is a wetland where white and yellow (!) water
lilies cover large surfaces of its multiple lakes (such as Beleu, which occupies
626 ha, 1/3 of the reserve), and pelicans, egrets, storks, herons, cormorants find a
place to rest their wings. It is indeed a romantic scenery, especially if you have
the possibility to admire a sunrise or sunset here. Furthermore, not far away, at
Giurgiulesti, a portion of the Danube (600 m) traverses our territory, which
makes us consider Beleu a small Delta.
“Land of Beech” (“Plaiul Fagului”) is a forest of “elegant” beech trees over 150
years old, and 40 meters high. Not only will you hear the sound of Korsakov’s
bumble bees in this area, but you will notice them seeking the rare lady’s slipper
orchid. And in 5642 ha, there is a lot of searching to be done…
“The Royal Forest” (“Padurea Domneasca”) is one of the most complex reserve,
identified with 200-250-year old oaks, European bison, mute swans, wild boars,
and of course “The Land of Herons” (“Tara Batlanilor”) with over a thousand
grey herons. But “The Royal Forest” would also be incomplete without “The Big
Rock” (“Stanca Mare”) - a natural monument saved from destruction by the
Ecological Movement of Moldova, “The One Hundred Mounds” (“Suta de
Movile”) - more than a hundred little mysteries, and “The Coral Limestone
Reefs of Prut” (“Toltrele Prutului”) – 15-20 million years old, almost unique in
the world.
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In the same region, of the Middle Prut Valley, few can imagine that below the
ground they step on hides... the “Emil Racovita” Cave. This is a100 km
“labyrinth” (out of which 86 km are mapped). This fact makes it the 3rd largest
gypsum cave in Europe, and the 7th on the Planet. To a certain extent, it
resembles Jules Verne’s fantastic descriptions, as if it was an underground
Palace with chambers (the Waiting Room, the Penguin Room, The Cinderella
Room) and…crystal-clear lakes (Blue Lake, Nautilus Lake, The Lake of
“Natura” Magazine).
Coming next is “Codru” with its monasteries (Capriana, Condrita, Hancu).
Unlike the other reserves, this one is the closest to Chisinau – 30 km away from
it. In the zone, noble deer and wild cats enjoy making their appearance, so keep
your eyes wide open…
Unfortunately, “Iagorlac’s” 836 ha of land and 270 ha of water are less
accessible to us, being situated on the left bank of the Nistru River, “controlled”
by Transnistria.
All these places are included in the 4,65% State Protected Areas that we have
(as against a minimum of 15% in other European states). These and many more
are part of our breath-taking heritage. They make us understand what we have,
and what we could lose. They remind us, that in order to preserve our valuable
environment for generations, we need to adopt a sustainable attitude.
Sustainability does not revolve only around our habits, and practices, but first
of all around what generates them – our mentality, life philosophy, level of
information etc.
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In the given context, the Ecological Movement of Moldova, a non-
governmental organisation founded on November 15th, 1990, through
education, access to information, trainings, manages to raise public awareness
and contribute to forming an opinion, an attitude concerning the environment,
and the issues related to it. EMM is “committed to restoring the natural
balance of the environment in Moldova through sustainable development,
conservation of natural resources and preservation of important ecological
sites and monuments”.
For instance, the EMM is founder of the national magazine “Natura”, and
through it as well as other media sources, the Ecological Movement has
organised campaigns in favor of saving the national forests, the natural
monument “The Big Rock”, the natural reserve “Saharna”, the “Emil
Racovita” Cave, the “Danube Delta” ( about the Bystroye Canal problem) etc.
and has succeeded. Moreover, its work has been acknowledged by the World
Conservation Union (IUCN) and since 1995 it has become one of its members.
Besides such campaign events, the NGO has also initiated and been
responsible for expeditions on the Nistru, Prut Rivers, where the young had
the chance to get closer to the environment, and apprehend the need for
sustainability.
The Ecological Movement of Moldova considers that the awareness raising
and the education of youth to live in an equilibrium with the nature, to
protect the wealth that we have is an imperative for our further existing as
human beings!
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List of photos used:
Raut River Meanders
«Emil Racovita» Cave. Gypsum Rocks
Beleu Lake
Socola
«Emil Racovita» Cave. Natura Magazine's Lake
Nistru River at Soroca
Orhei National Park
8utesti Rocks. Celebration of Nature
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The Australian
Sustainable Schools
Initiative (AuSSI)
Compiled by Livia Minca
The Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) is a partnership of
the Australian Government, all state and territory governments and the
Catholic and Independent school sectors, that seeks to support schools and their
communities to become sustainable.
AuSSI provides practical support to schools and their communities to live and
work more sustainably. It engages participants in a whole-of-school approach,
to explore through real-life learning experiences, improvements in a school's
management of resources and facilities including energy, waste, water,
biodiversity, landscape design, products and materials. It also addresses
associated social and financial issues and integrates these activities with
teaching and learning across the curriculum. By participating in a learning by
doing process, students achieve a better understanding of the world in which
they live, and have opportunities to help create a more sustainable future.
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The Initiative's vision is for all Australian schools and their communities to
be sustainable. Because of the holistic nature of this vision, a wide range of
individuals and groups can play a valuable role in AuSSI's success, including
students, school leaders, principals, teachers, other school staff, parent groups,
community members, businesses, local government and non-government
organisations.
AuSSI helps to build sustainability knowledge, skills and motivation by
supporting training of school staff, whole school planning, development of
teaching materials and use of tools for measuring and reporting on
sustainability outcomes. Furthermore, AuSSI does not replace other
environmental or sustainability education activities in schools; rather it links
to and complements existing programs already being implemented within
schools.
Participating in AuSSI provides many benefits to schools, including:
→ the opportunity to fulfil curriculum requirements in key learning areas in
new and engaging ways
→ reduced consumption of resources and improved management of school
grounds and facilities
→ teachers and students working on real life problems with real outcomes
→ professional development opportunities for all school staff
→ the school becoming a model for sustainability within the local community
→ students being empowered to make positive change in their communities
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→ students improving their understanding of the complexity of the world in
which they live by developing their knowledge, critical thinking skills, values
and capacity to participate in decision making about environmental, social
and economic development issues.
AuSSI provides practical support to schools
and their communities to live and work
more sustainably.
AuSSI is coordinated by the Australian Government Department of the
Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. It is being implemented in each
state and territory using a variety of different models and is currently
operating in almost 3000 schools, in all states and territories.
AuSSI involves an action learning cycle and a whole-school approach, both of
which engage all members of the school community and ensure that
sustainability is embedded in all aspects of the school's operations and
management. An AuSSI school typically engaged in an action learning cycle
involves:
→ making a whole school commitment to become more sustainable
→ auditing and collecting baseline data on its use of resources, its
management of facilities and grounds and its approaches to teaching and
learning
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→ developing an action plan, including targets (often called a School
Environmental Management Plan)
→ actively implementing, monitoring and evaluating its plan
→ critically reflecting on progress and revising plans for the future.
Effective education for sustainability is not just a curriculum issue. It
requires the involvement of the whole school and pervades all aspects of the
school operations, curriculum, teaching and learning, physical surroundings
and relationships with the local community.
A whole school approach to education for sustainability emerges from the
school vision and is articulated in all facets of school life in:
→ the way the school is organised and operates
→ building design (within the limitations of existing structures)
→ the development and management of school grounds
→ improved management of resources (water, energy, products and materials)
→ enhanced connections between the school, its community and other
educational institutions
→ the conservation and protection of natural and heritage values in the school
buildings and grounds
→ reorientation of the curriculum and teaching and learning methods
towards sustainability.
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AuSSI supports schools in their growth from awareness through to leadership
in education for sustainability and sustainable living. It fosters school
ownership and empowerment and focuses on student involvement, leadership
and learning.
The Australian Government provides support to AuSSI partners through
national coordination facilitation and funding of networks. Support is
provided to AuSSI schools by state and territory governments including:
→ best practice and quality curriculum support
→ the integration of sustainability activities and their outcomes into the
curriculum
→ coordination and guidance in implementing AuSSI
→ audit tools to manage resources and track progress
→ ideas for projects and ways to involve the local community as well as
encourage a shift in the broader community towards more sustainable
practices and processes
→ networking and clustering opportunities for schools
→ professional development and mentoring opportunities for all school staff
→ strategies to develop an overall, long term plan for sustainability for the
school
→encouragement for effective community partnerships.
AuSSI is a broad framework incorporating a wide range of activities which
help schools and their communities to become more sustainable. Individual
schools may choose to focus on certain areas that are of most relevance and
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interest to their school community. Actions and projects in each of the areas
below can be incorporated into a variety of curriculum areas including
science, technology, geography, English, mathematics, history and the arts.
Action areas which can be incorporated into AuSSI are: Energy, Waste,
Water, Biodiversity, Climate change, Transport, Health and Wellbeing,
Spirituality and Values, Indigenous knowledge, Teaching and Learning,
Community, Sustainable purchasing.
In 2010, the Australian Government evaluated the governance arrange-
ments and the operational effectiveness of AuSSI. The Programme has made
a significant impact on education for sustainability in schools over the six
years it has been operating, with a modest investment from the Australian
Government.
AuSSI achievements include:
→ Almost 30% of Australian schools are now AuSSI schools, including pub-
lic, catholic and independent schools (both primary and secondary).
→ AuSSI schools are achieving immediate and measurable improvements in
their use of resources, grounds and facilities. Participating schools have re-
ported reductions in waste collection of up to 80%, reductions in water con-
sumption of up to 60%, and savings on energy consumption of 20% with com-
mensurate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
→ Schools are achieving broad social, wellbeing and educational benefits
from increased school pride and interest in learning.
→ Families of AuSSI school students across Australia have been influenced
by their children's participation in AuSSI.
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Llewelyn Jones:
Youth, Music,
Environment Llewelyn Jones studied Architecture: Advanced Energy and
Environmental Design. He lives and works in London, UK, where
he is active in many projects involving youth, music, art and
environment.
Nektarina (S)pace: Music is a very important part of your life. Could you
talk a bit about how your life is intertwined with music, whether and how the
music inspires you and what it means to you.
Llewelyn Jones: Music has been a constant and consistent platform for me to
express how I feel about the world we live in, it is also an escape from reality
and a solace or remedy to the frustrations many people have about the planet.
From personal experiences with people and place close to my heart to the
realities of local and global struggles it gives me an outlet. Sometimes music
and performance is a chance to describe dreams and aspirations, this is my
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main focus right now as I am frustrated with the lack of energy and
motivation in society towards thinking big and looking at solutions
rather than problems. Living in the thick diversity of London is
inspirational and has started a major shift in style and delivery:
@lionmc
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Music has been a constant and consistent
platform for me to express how I feel about the
world we live in, it is also an escape from reality
and a solace or remedy to the frustrations many
people have about the planet.
Nektarina (S)pace: In Vocal Motion you brilliantly combined People, Music,
Theatre and Environment. Could you explain to our readers what Vocal
Motion is, how you came up with that idea and how does it look (and feel) to
be involved in a project like that.
Llewelyn Jones: After working for 8 years as a freelance youth worker,
musician and builder I felt that I needed to join the different threads of my
life together. After identifying a need for the provision and delivery of
creative theatre, music and multimedia workshops in rural Wales I founded
Vocal Motion in 2005. Since then the business has developed programmes of
youth music and theatre workshops delivered across 20 countries. I love
devising an exciting range of projects that act as empowering vehicles for
expression and learning. During Summer 2012 I combined this workshops
with promoting sustainable transport by travelling to workshop venues and
transporting the studio equipment by bicycle across northern Europe. I have
been lucky enough to work in places as diverse as a prison in Milan delivering
beat boxing workshops, an identity and diversity project in South African
countries and as a Commonwealth Youth Forum climate change facilitator in
Trinidad and Tobago.
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Nektarina (S)pace: You work with youth a lot. Many say that working with
youth is both challenging and rewarding. What are your experiences?
Llewelyn Jones: Young people bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm and can bring the
change, so many of us believe is necessary. Working with adults is positive too
but the impact of positive changes seem to run deeper with young people. They
are often more willing to take a risk and throw themselves in at the deep end,
pushing their creative and emotional boundaries. Many young people hold a
massive amount of anger and frustration, this is often a result of their family
and community life but in the UK is partly an anger with education and the
systems adults impose on them. A big part of my work is to instill some trust in
participants that adults make many of the mistakes that young people do and
that life is about growing no matter what your age.
I love devising an exciting range of projects
that act as empowering vehicles
for expression and learning.
Nektarina (S)pace: You studied architecture - advanced energy and
environmental design. Are we, as a society, managing to make our urban areas
more sustainable? What are we doing right and what are we doing wrong?
Llewelyn Jones: We are certainly trying, there are fantastic low tech and high
tech solutions to deal with waste and attempts to meet current energy demands,
to name a few; urban farming, closed loop systems to com-modify waste
products, solar desalination, well planned cycle infrastructure, green roofs,
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sustainable urban drainage and the development of the ecosystems infrastruc-
ture concept http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/ecosystems/. So the concepts
and plans are there but pace of change resulting from a lack of political will
and short term economic planning make the changes that should have been
happening yesterday painfully slow moving. Ultimately urban populations are
exploding and we need fast strategic, global, integrated action. Whether it is
high embodied energy, high tech solutions that Masdar is implementing or the
practical low tech historical solutions like Tokyo when it was know as Edo or a
comfortable half way house we all need to take action and responsibility for the
change.
Ultimately urban populations are exploding and
we need fast strategic, global, integrated action.
Nektarina (S)pace: Many countries have "green schools", "solar schools",
"sustainable schools" projects, that aim to involve schools, pupils/students and
their parents and communities. Sometimes it is challenging to make old/
existing school buildings more "low carbon", more energy efficient. More often
than not it seems that creativity and "thinking out of the box" are essential.
What do you think?
Llewelyn Jones: Creativity when it comes to retro fitting and improving
existing educational buildings for me is the best place to start. Over the last
year I have been working as a carpenter/builder with a company called Made
From Scratch who engage with students (of all ages) to design and build
fantastic play spaces in schools and adventure playgrounds. The sense of
empowerment created by the young people from the participating in the design
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process is huge. We build play spaces and adaptable indoor and outdoor spaces
for participants to play and learn in creative ways. If we want to improve our
educational buildings a sense of play and the connection to the natural world
is vital to inspire children and young people to understand how the built
environment works, especially with relevance to the impact of buildings on the
environment and energy use.
Writing my Msc thesis partly on Post Occupancy Evaluation of community
buildings really intrigued me – this is an effective building management tool
to empower occupants to make major reductions in energy usage through
creative logical steps but is sadly under used. POE can be adapted to be in tune
with the way children and young people think to empower them to take
responsibility so the buildings they use. There is a massive opportunity for
children to learn all about sustainability and take control of the buildings
they spend so much of their time in.
Nektarina (S)pace: This months we are talking about cultural diversities.
You lived in Ireland, Estonia, and UK. What is similar and what is different
between these three countries, when it comes to cultural diversities?
Llewelyn Jones: Experiencing living and working other countries than your
place of birth should be a human right. The feeling of being the outsider and
the insider within a new country or community was not something I chose as a
child but is something that I love and want to experience more of as an adult.
The consistent norms that I noticed were a warm and welcoming nature in
people, strong and clear opinions about the strengths and weaknesses of their
societies, a respect and openness to the arts and a big concern about the
environment. The cultural differences between the countries I have lived in,
and traveled to are small but I think the sense of freedom felt by people to be
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open and confident in themselves varies. Ownership, identity and involvement
citizens have within their culture also varies greatly. Some countries hold a
greater sense of national identity and express this through their arts others
seem more lost and un aware of their countries culture, consuming and
remixing a multitude of cultural influences. There is no right or wrong here
but cultural diversity only thrives when boarders: physical, economic and
cultural are as open as possible. I am very frustrated with the UK governments
position on reducing immigration and believe that we need more not less
mobility in Europe and the rest of the world.
There is no right or wrong here but cultural
diversity only thrives when boarders: physical,
economic and cultural are as open as possible.
Nektarina (S)pace: In 2011 you participated in London to Amsterdam cycle
for cardboard citizens. Could you explain a little bit what that was about, and
talk about your experience
Llewelyn Jones: Simply; Forum Theatre/Theatre of the Oppressed is the most
powerful medium I know of to empower individuals and communities to solve
problems and find practical solutions to challenging issues. Through working
with Theatre Fforwm Cymru I became aware of Cardboard Citizens work and
being in London meant that I could support them directly, I did so by
fundraising for every KM of the trip, calling on all of the generous and
amazing people I know.
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We all need to have the confidence to work
together in logical integrated ways.
Nektarina (S)pace: Where should be the next steps for us, as a society? Live a
more holistic life? Embrace nature? Embrace culture? Slow down? What are
your thoughts on this?
Llewelyn Jones: My answer to this question are some more questions: Why do
we not publicly discuss how we could achieve some level of practopia? Why
are there no public clearly communicated political or academic conversations
about how we as a species are going to adapt to the challenges facing the
biosphere and the needs of our exploding population. Why do we not plan our
population growth sustainably and why are we so afraid of asking people to
reduce their consumption? My answer to the question is: a globally agreed 500
year plan to control population dynamics, allow nature to dictate the rules of
consumption and resource management - as painful as this might be it could
boil down to; defining conservatively the resources we have - food, energy and
raw materials, then dividing the amounts by the number of people in the
world. Create a logical plan to give every person the same. I know this is just a
random dream but with the global challenges we are facing, like it or not this
is the reality if we want to avoid the results of our species uncontrollable
exploitation of the planet and each other. This shift is up to massive political
will at a high level, incorporating enough confidence to stand up to big
business. On a personal and community level we all need to have the
confidence to work together in logical integrated ways, grow food, share
resources, challenge wasteful behavior and attempt to change our local
culture in positive ways.
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Expressing
Lifestyle
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Tara DePorte:
I am an
ARTIST
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Tara founded the Human Impacts Institute in 2010, seeing a need for
creative approaches to sustainability and global coalition building. The NYC
Climate Coalition grew out of her experience of the climate and environment
communities in NYC and their lack of comprehensive dialogue and
collaboration. She has also been a global representative of Al Gore's The
Climate Project since 2006, presenting to thousands of people about the
impacts and solutions of climate change. Tara’s international
accomplishments include the development and coordination of capacity
building trainings for international women participating in United Nations-
sanctioned environmental conferences, representing women’s environmental
leadership at the United Nations and working with lead officials on gender
and environmental international policy development.
As her environmental work reaches out to the surrounding world, Tara’s
artistic work turns inwardly to direct expressions of self. Often interpreted as
discomforting, yet intriguingly beautiful, her artistic works deal with
womanhood, the many faces of the individual, and the complexities of social
relationships.
With formal training from the University of Virginia, NYC School of
Visual Arts, SPÉOS Photographic Institute, and numerous Parisian artist
studios, Tara has focused personal expression through the visual arts her
entire life. She was chosen as a copyist at the Louvre, Paris, while studying
techniques of European Masters. Furthermore, in 2007 she helped to form
the Grand Street Artist’s Collective, a studio and exhibition space for herself
and seven other emerging, international artists. Her work has been exhibited
extensively in solo and groups shows, including galleries in Manhattan,
Brooklyn, Virginia, Berlin, Vienna, Natal (Brazil) and Paris.
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As an artist who pursues mixed-media work in painting, sculpture,
photography, and installations, Tara pulls simultaneously from the narrative
and the abstract. Her works include items like found objects, paints, plaster
gauze, and human hair, creating a combination of vibrant colors, disjointed
brushstrokes, strong lines drawing and collage. Tara’s works often fulfill a
desire to “leap” off of the canvas, literally and figuratively. In the past few
years, Tara has also been exploring performance, video and public art.
To purchase artwork, inquire about commissions, or see more of Tara's work,
p l e a s e v i s i t : T a r a D e P o r t e . c o m o r c o n t a c t T a r a a t
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Artwork presented in this issue:
Poisonous Mothering; 2012; 30 x 40 Acrylic on Paperboard
Martyr Missile; 2012; 30 x 40 Acrylic on Paperboard
Seeds of Change; 2012; 40 x 48
Shedding Dead Ends; 2012; 30 x 40
Hanging On; 2009
Limited Access to Information; 2011, 20 x 16
Stuck Without a Dialogue; 2011; 20 x 16
The Two Sides; 20 x 30 Collage Acrylic on Paperboard
The Unknowns; 2013; 40 x 48 Acrylic on Paperboard
Unzipping; 2012; 48 x 40
Seedlings; 2008 (shown below)
Photos & artwork copyrights Tara DePorte
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Bettina Nada
Fellov:
Why did I get
that crazy idea
of establishing
a gallery? Photo credits Bettina Fellov, Camilla Fellov, Annie Fellov,
Miriam Thybo Moller, Lisbeth Jensen
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From idea to decision
The idea about having a gallery came 7th of April and as I was working with
my niece Camilla Fellov to open a new business. The idea was not very welcome
and Camilla told me “No – we are going to focus on the other projects we are
working on”. On 9th of April she called me and said: Let us talk about the
gallery but only talk. I started to move out some of my furniture from my
living room. On 15th of April we emptied my living room, my dining room
and my small hall too. On 17th of April we decided to transform my home to
Gallery ART Fellov and the hard work began seriously as we decided to open
the gallery with a vernissage on 4th of May. We had three weeks to transform a
house into a gallery and besides that to make events in the gallery, get artists to
exhibit and plan a vernissage and opening reception of the Gallery. We decided
that we could do it fast, if we really wanted to create a gallery, and so we did.
The opening and our first vernissage
We succeeded to get three different artists with very short notice to cover our
first exhibition in the gallery and we even managed to make a slim program
for events in the gallery for May. We were amazed that 170-200 people showed
up to our opening and the vernissage of our three artists. What a wonderful
day! We had both lost several kilos the last weeks working to get the gallery
ready for the opening and we were very tired but it did not matter, we were
happy. We did succeed. We got a crazy idea a month ago and we worked hard
for it and we managed to do it.
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Why did we make a gallery?
Can you image to make a place where your job is nourishing magic of people?
Magic in the sense of people meeting, interacting, sharing knowledge and art –
a room which fundament should be built by the energy of people entering the
room. If you can image that, you know why we made a gallery. You will know
why we want to do courses and lessons here, exhibit art and have events for
people. You will know that interaction between people, the willingness to
learn from each other and to explore peoples habits, their reasons of doing
what they do and the force of acceptance of different ways of life and ways of
seeing life. This gallery wants to nourish curiosity, to be open minded and we
do want to show that through an access to our artists, people attending courses
and people attending og performing our event by welcoming them to our
gallery whoever they are and whatever they do with the best we can give;
equality! Welcome to Galleri ART Fellov. Follow Galleri ART Fellov on fa-
cebook : https://www.facebook.com/GalleriARTFellov
Galleri ART Fellov is situated 9 kilometer from Copenhagen airport in a
small village named Dragoer. You can read more about Dragoer in this
magazine.
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Program in Gallery ART Fellov
Exhibitions
In May we started up with three artists and of cause Camilla owner of the
gallery started exhibiting her art. She paints popart and started painting as she
as student did not have money to buy birthday presents for her family and
friends. She has made four portraits the last she finished in November and
decided that she would continue painting as she got so good responses on her
paintings. Exhibiting her paintings in gallery ART Fellov gave her a lot of
new orders.
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Ulla Gerhardt one of the other artists decided to exhibit her art one month
more in gallery as she says: “There is so much energy in the gallery that I
would like to make new paintings and exhibit them in your gallery. Ulla´s
paintings in June will be of women in warm yellow and redish colors. It
seems that Ulla´s paintings are inspired by ceramics performed by the
Danish designer Bjørn Wiinblad though her paintings are much more
detailed and has its own composition and the colors are amazingly warm.
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Gallery ART Fellov has a kids corner. The intention with the kid corner is
that kids can welcome in our gallery and need to have something to look at and
play with while their parents or grandparents visit our gallery. Tine Milton
Skotte was the first artist to exhibit in the kid corner. She makes small potato
like figures which are meant for very small children as gifts for babies and
small children. She works with vintage and decoupage too.
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June exhibitions
Suzana Profeta will be one of our exhibiting painters in June. She has been
painting for many years and has studied Fine Arts at Art Acadamy “Licius de
Artes e Oficios, Sao Paolo, Brazil 1986-1990 and at “Academia Brasileria de
Artes” in 1991. Suzana Profeta has exhibited her art several places in Brazil
and in Denmark amongst those are:
“Um Grande Moviemento de Artes Plasticas II”, October 1990, Sao Paulo
“Commemorativo Exhibition of Liceu de Artes e Oficios”, December 1990
Café Strandstræde, March-June 2004, Copenhagen, Denmark
Café Diverso, December 2006, Copenhagen, Denmark
Suzana Profeta have had a break from painting for several years and has just
started up painting again and her exhibition at Galleri ART Fellov is her
come back as painter. Suzana Profeta works with elements of graphism and
popart and is insipired by Sigmar Polke, Manabu Mabe og Tomie Ohtake.
Ulla Gerhardt seems to be happy exhibiting in Galleri ART Fellov as she has
chosen to be here in June too. Galleri Art Fellov is happy having Ulla´s
paintings as they are very warm and colorful. Working with Ulla is a bonus
as she spreads energy and good karma.
Zophie Isabella Nielsen is a young and hopeful artist who will have her first
exhibition at Galleri ART Fellov. Zophie´s artist name is Art of Zin. Zophie
works with acrylic paintings and she experiments with popart.
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Events in
Gallery ART Fellov
in June
Good Bye Anxiety of Exams
2nd of June Pernille Stockfleth and Bettina Fellov will do a course about how
to skip anxiety before and during exams. Pernille has been teaching at Dragoer
youth school for many year as well as she has worked setting up theater plays
with young people and Bettina Fellov works as external censor at Metropolitan
University College of Copenhagen and has besides that been training staff in
face to face communication . The course will be about body language,
respiration and how to enter a room. June 2nd.
Trim the sail and join the adventure
Did you ever dream about making your dreams come through, well that is what
Annie and Steen Larsen did, as they retired for work life they sail out to
explore the world. Annie and Steen Larsen started their adventure in Turkey
in 2001 and came back to Denmark in 2011. Annie Larsen has written a book
about their adventure and both Annie and Steen is coming to Gallery Art
Fellov to tell about their fantastic journey. The book has just been published
and is one of four books. The book is written in Danish and is named
“Piranhas and palm whistling”. June 6th.
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How can parents help youth studying to exams?
Youth study differently compared to how their parents used to study for ex-
ams. Nowadays youth study often while being on facebook, hearing music and
playing a game on the television. In the old days studying for exam meant to
be seated by a table in absolutely quietness while everybody else in the house
tiptoes around not to make noise. Pernille Stockfleth worked with young
people through decades and follows youth habits living and studying and will
reveal to parents how they can support their children in studying for their
exams.
Living in a monastery in Thailand amongst monks
Caroline Rulis, 21 years old, left Denmark and her comfort zone to volunteer
teaching English in a temple in Thailand. Caroline got the opportunity to live
in the temple for three months and she is coming to Gallery ART Fellov to
share her experiences and to tell about how life is in a monastery. Being in the
monastery Caroline had the opportunity to meet Thailand`s Prime Minister,
the grandmother Queen of Bhutan and some of Bhutan`s princesses as they
visited the temple while Caroline was there. June 11th.
Horse whisperer and shaman
Soeren Carlsen works with horse whispering and shamanism using skull secral
therapy. Søren is visiting the gallery 13th of June and as he will show how he
works with horses we are having two horses in the garden surrounding the
gallery. One of the horses sometimes gets in a bad mood so we are looking
forward to see if Soeren can figure out why. After the horse whispering session
Soeren will continue talking about energy fields in humans.
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Poetry from my secret draw
Bettina Fellov has secretly been writing poems the last
30 years and as the gallery planned the program of
June, coworkers in the gallery, overhearing that Bettina
wrote a lot of poems, convinced her to read her poems.
The poems are of different kinds though a lot of them
are political, about religion and integration. Some
poems are from everyday life and even there are some
erotic poems. June 16th.
Facebook for the first time
Facebook is the way of communicating with family and
friends especially if distances in between is long.
Children and grandchildren often travel and it can be
hard to be kept in the loop of their lives if one is not
using modern communication. This course will
introduce beginners to Facebook enable people to fol-
low their friend and family on Facebook. June 18th.
Learn how to get in shape with arthritis and other ail-
ments
Orthopedic surgeon Henrik Aagaard will be telling
about how to make exercises in the gym or fitness center
without adding more pain or more damage to knees, the
back that already have problems. June 20th.
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Dragør - a pittoresque
village with a strong
local community
Dragoer is an idyllic village just outside Copenhagen and even closer situated
to Copenhagen airport. Dragoer can easily be visited by bus, cycle or car from
Copenhagen or from the airport.
Prepared by Bettina Nada Fellov
Photos by Poul Hein and Bettina Fellov
The center of Dragoer is the old harbor serving as a gathering point for
the locals as the harbor always is busy of people working in old fishing boats,
in the boatyard, serving from restaurants or selling traditional Danish ice
creams. Beside the working people many local can be found in and around the
harbour as they are kayaking, sailing, shopping, buying fresh fish from the
fishing boats or sailing on surfboard. In the middle of the old harbor you will
notice the old Pilot Tower, which actually is the oldest building of its kind in
Denmark and now serves as a museum. Dragoer is situated in the entrance to
the Sound from the Baltic Sea so piloting boats has been a huge part of
Dragoer`s history.
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Shipping Town since 1200
“Dragoer is already mentioned in Saxo’s Chronicles of Denmark (Saxonis
Grammatica Historia Danica). In the Middle Age the town was the centre
for the great herring adventure in the Baltic Sea.
At the beginning a poor fishing village – later ever-richer and bigger on
trading with the outside world. In the 18th century Dragoer was the biggest
shipping town in Denmark - second only to Copenhagen. But the war with
England in 1807 cost the town a large part of its ships, and it was never as
before. With the steamships at the end of 19th century the days of glory of
Dragoer were over.
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During the Second World War many Jews fled to Sweden hidden in fisher
boats – one of which, the cutter K571 Elisabeth of Dragoer, now being a
museum ship and is seen in the harbour. Three museums portray Dragoer:
Dragoer Museum with the Maritime history and beautiful interiors, the Pilot
Museum in the oldest pilot station in Denmark at the harbour, and the
maritime painter Christian Mølsted’s Museum. The military strategic location
of Dragoer by the always busy Baltic Sea has implied that Dragoer has two
forts – Dragoer Fort close by the town and Kongelundsfortet far south by
Kongelunden. Both forts are open to the public.”
( Source: Extracts from tourist brochure in Dragoer”)
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The old town
Walking through the pedestrian street to the harbor the old town will be on
the right hand and visiting the town is really worthy as the cottages are
beautiful, all yellowish with red tiles and some even have thatched roofs.
Walking through the small alleys of the old town, you will notice that many
of the inhabitants in the old part of Dragoer decorate there cottages on the
outside with holyhocks which give the street a special beautiful and calm
atmosphere. People living in the old part of Dragoer sometime tell stories
about tourists who believe that the old town is a museum town and suddenly
they appear in the living room of the cottage owners.
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Goose Republic
Dragoer has its own “Goose Republic” which is situated near the “Grand
Mam beach” and the Sea bath. The Goose republic is housing around 300
geese and other poultry. All poultry is grazing on salt meadows and the
ducks have access to the sea. In the old days all geese were sailed to Saltholm
an island in the Sound to spend the summer. The Goose Republic with the
all the poultry “houses” draws kids to the Republic, the beach or the Sea
bath.
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The locals
As Dragoer is a small village everybody knows everybody or a least every-
body knows somebody who knows somebody else. Being a village with a
lot of children it is quiet safe as we all look after each other children.
Should a child have an incident or accident it is always easy to get hold of
the parents even you don´t know them, somebody in your network will
know the parents.
Raising teenagers it is always nice to know what they are doing and how
they behave and that we do know in Dragoer as parents are networking to
support the teenagers in the transition from being a child to be a grown
up. On the other hand teenagers are not always satisfied by the parents
networking.
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Anne Vaergman is a debuting author and had her reception in Gallery ART
Fellov. Asking Anne Vaergman why she decided to become an author, she
answered is has always been my dream to become an author. Anne has
written her story, which we are sharing here. Anne´s book is written in
Danish though it will be translated in English on demands.
A childhood dream comes true.
I am now an author.
By Anne Vaergman
My name is Anne Værgman, born in 1961 in H.C Andersen’s home country of
Denmark. It all began when I was a teen taking a stroll with a classmate in
Dragør, a small Danish fisherman town. As we walked into a park area we
found a book. We looked for a name to find the owner, but there was no
name. I opened the book on a random page. It was a romantic book. Even
though I only read a page or two, I forgot all about my surroundings and was
completely taken by the feelings described in the book. I lowered the book
and said to myself. “I want to become an author. I want to bring this same
feeling to readers”. Being a teen and maybe a bit naive as to how much work
it would require to become an author I did not doubt my dream would come
true. I felt determined and wanted to become an author at some point in my
life.
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Previously, before this stroll, as a young child I told my sisters and friends ghost
stories when we had nothing else to do. I told the stories from my imagination.
During my childhood we only had one children’s TV program once a week and we
had no computers. For many years I did not write. I studied and put the authoring
dream on hold, but when my daughter was born I signed her up to become members
of a book club. She was 6 months old and I read and read to her because in my
opinion it strengthened the bond between us. I had also heard that if you read a lot
to your child, she/he becomes a stronger reader. I also told my daughter stories
making them up as I went along. I let her be a part of the story which she enjoyed
very much. It would take until 2013 for my childhood dream to come true, and
what a nice feeling living out my dream. My hope is that my book will make others
forget about their surroundings just like my experience so many years ago when I
was a teen.
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When my daughter was in grade two or three I joined her class for an event.
We were to take the train, but standing on the platform we got an
announcement that the train was delayed. My author gene came up, and I
asked the kids if they wanted to hear a story (so that they would stand quiet
and not run around on the platform). They said yes and I told stories as they
stood still and listened carefully. I used their names and the children became
part of the story as I knew it would catch their attention even more. The train
arrived and off we went. On the way back they asked if I could tell more
stories. I said yes, and stories I told. When I came home, I felt the time was
ripe to start writing stories instead of just telling them. However, a few years
went by. With a full time job it was hard to find time to write, however I felt
it was now or never. My husband, my daughter and I took a year leave of
absence and went to live in Ottawa, Canada. I wrote two books, a children’s
ghost story and a book about our stay.
Back in Denmark, I was very fortunate to find a publisher who agreed to
publish my children’s book and later my other books (www.livskilden.dk).
The publisher liked the children’s book because it is a sweet ghost story with a
hint of humor. In the book the reader follows a ghost family. As a harmonic
family they work together with respect and love, even though there are a few
scary parts in the beginning of the story. But it has a happy ending. The
family enters the real world through an hollow old oak tree, and almost each
member helps a person in the real world, except one family member who
scares people in the real world until he gets scared himself. The father of the
ghost family was a pirate when he was alive, and he tells a story from his real
life. My book is titled “Matte Family – My becomes a family member”. My is
two years old, and happily enters the ghost family and fits in perfectly.
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Photo Exhibition
Zeljko Jelavic
“Inspiring River”
Photos taken at Slavonski Brod, Croatia
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Photo Exhibition
Zeljko Jelavic
“Inspiring River”
Photos taken at Slavonski Brod, Croatia
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Wellgreen
Lewes
A skincare
ideology
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Daphne odora aureomarginata – my favourite flower…ever
By Amanda Jane Saurin
I have been watching my Daphne for weeks like a mother hen waiting
for her eggs to hatch and finally, this morning most of the flowers were fully
open. For those unfamiliar with this little treasure, the foliage is green with a
margin of yellowy gold (hence the aureomarginata bit) and the flowers appear
in tight clusters – pink buds give way to white flowers and the scent is
stunningly lovely. It is sweet but not sickly, heady and intensely floral with a
delicious lemony back-note.
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I have wanted to try to distil this flower for several years but couldn’t
source enough flowers to play with – however this year my own plant has
produced enough to fill my little tester Alembic Still. I have a particular love
for this unassuming plant because my friend Susie Swan gave me a tiny twig of
it when it was in full bloom which I took to the hospital with me for the birth
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of my 6th child. The whole room sang with the scent and filled me with joy.
My daughter is named Flora in part because of this plant.
This morning I set about picking the flowers by sitting on the path and
very carefully cutting away the flower panicles. I’ve left one or two because it
seemed mean to take them all. I can’t describe the scent as I picked, it was
wonderful…
Having completed the picking, the little
pile of flowers was sorted through removing
any grotty bits and then it was all loaded into
the little Alembic Still. I decided to add in
the green sepals as an experiment - in rose
distilling I pick off every bit of green to en-
sure that it is only a perfect rose petal scent
but in this instance I thought the sepals
would add a green note.
I loaded the whole lot into the Alembic
and added just enough water to comfortably
cover the flowers and then closed her up,
sealed the joints with rye flour and lit the
burner. I ran the Still on a low heat to start
with, gradually increasing the heat until the
steam started to flow and the distillate start-
ed to drip into the bottle.
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The moment the flower water starts to emerge is thrilling, especially
with a new flower. It is incredibly difficult not to immediately start sniffing
the contents but patience at this stage is a virtue.
The distillation took a couple of hours and I got about 200mls of
wonderful flower water. It smells green and floral and as you inhale the final
note is lemony and earthy. Wonderful! Now I need about 20 bushes to fill the
big Alembic – anybody got any spare flowers to swap for soap I’ve made?
___________________________________________
Interested in reading more lovely posts? Visit www.wellgreenlewes.com
Wellgreen Lewes is based in the beautiful County town of Lewes in East
Sussex. Our whole range of skincare is made in a beautiful historic house
dating from 1542 nestling right underneath Lewes Castle. Amanda joyfully
distills flowers, herbs, leaves and even roots in her Alembic Still which are
used in the whole skincare and perfume range. She is also a Homeopathic,
mother of 6 and the driving force behind Wellgreen Lewes in East Sussex. She
makes top quality skin nourishment full of lovely ingredients without any
additives. harmful preservatives or artificial scents or colours. As much as
possible is locally sourced and everything is selected for its freshness and
quality. Many of the flower waters and essential oils are made by Amanda in
her huge Copper Alembic Still – a truly stunning handcrafted delight.
The results are beautiful, environmentally sustainable and responsibly
handmade soaps, creams, body butters, salt scrubs, flower waters and
lip balms.
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website www.wellgreenlewes.com
facebook https://www.facebook.com/WellgreenLewes
twitter @wellgreenlewes
phone +4479 799 26831
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Joaquim
F. L. Pimpão:
On Portugal,
Budapest, music,
art and the world
of social
networking
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Nektarina (S)pace: You grew up in Portugal, and you moved to Budapest
when you were 20, and you've lived there for 30 years. How would you
compare the two countries, their cultures, people, what you love about them?
Joaquim F. L. Pimpão: I was born in Portugal, in a small village, Amiais de
Baixo. When I was seven years old I moved to the city of Santarém and at 21 I
came to study to Budapest. So am Portuguese but my city is Budapest. I often
say that Budapest has adopted me and happy, I let be adopted by this
beautiful city in Central Europe (Mitteleuropa). I am a lucky man, I live in
my city and my job here is to promote my country… The Portuguese culture is
“more facing the sea, the ocean”, to the other continents. Portugal received
(receive) many influences from outside Brazil, Africa, the Far East (Asia)
Hungarian culture and tradition is more focused on this (huge) region of
Europe. Hungary has a culture and history “more European”. We know that
do not everything that is (was) Europe is good, if we recall the two world
wars, the social convulsions, policies, the dismemberment of empires ...
Hungary suffered greatly from this, in terms of human lives, destruction of
the country, the heritage, etc.. Portugal from the Napoleonic invasions (1811)
does know what it is to have war on its territory. It shows in our heritage, our
history is intact. For this and many other things the Portuguese are more
open than the Hungarians. The story was more "stepmother" with the
Hungarians than the Portugueses.
Nektarina (S)pace: You wrote a blog for four years (2008 - 2012). Why did
you start a blog, what did you write about, and what it meant to you?
Joaquim F. L. Pimpão: Yes it is true is called the blog, but in reality it isn’t.
I explain, my pseudonym - I had others when I was correspondent in
Budapest for Portuguese
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newspapers - for poetry, for “Palavras”('Words') is Pedro Assis Coimbra.
(PAC). So when I finish a new work, I put. I share on my "blog" but I don’t to
use as a means of regular communication .
Nektarina (S)pace: You have over 3,700 facebook friends, and you inspire them
daily with your posts related to culture, art and music. How do you see your
"facebooking"? How do you decide what to post each day, which music to share
and which art / photography / other cultural topics?
Joaquim F. L. Pimpão: I recognize that the FB has become important to me.
Yes there are many "friends" from FB and among them are my best friends in
real life. The FB is a way for me to convey my messages with my ideas, my
tastes, my doubts, my protests, my quest for a better and more beautiful world.
My activity on FB is a “mix”. Every day when I drive to my office and usually
listen to classical music on radio, I think of what I will post. Naturally I turn
to Google to find out who was born in this day, etc.. On the other hand, it is an
exercise in improvisation when I'm on the network and see an interesting post
and I decide to share. But even so I always try to put an "extra" with “my style”.
Yesterday for example I saw a painting of a Russian painter and the other a
Persian painter (both woman), So I decided to share enclosing an excerpt from
a poem of the poetess Anna Akhmatova and Forough Farrokhzad.
Nektarina (S)pace: You are a poliglote. Would you say it is easier to under-
stand a nation's culture if one speaks that language?
Joaquim F. L. Pimpão: Really I am not a polyglot, indeed I must confess that
I speak bad (or badly) the various foreign languages that I know. But it is also
true that I can communicate, to understand andto make me understand. On
the other hand, being able to read in several languages is a great advantage.
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Having the ability to compare, deepen, "fly in the original” gives me immense
pleasure
Nektarina (S)pace: Many people say that social networks tend to be imperson-
al, yet in your interactions on your wall you are very friendly and personal
with everyone, greeting them etc. How do you see the world of social
networks?
Joaquim F. L. Pimpão: Real life is real life. The virtual world is very
important, increasingly important but it can not replace the daily life, family,
friends, work, smells, tastes, touching the skin, caressing the face, hand in
hair, etc. Okay, it is also true that social networks are now an essential means
of communication, contact persons, make friends, find new passions and new
loves…increase knowledge., etc etc..Normally I do for being a. friendly person
- In Portugal we say "Pay-if it be a bad mood or a good mood, be nice or being
nasty, the price is the same” ... so why not try to be" gentleman"?
Nektarina (S)pace: Is there an artist and/or composer that you find
particularly inspiring and why?
Joaquim F. L. Pimpão: It is one question that I would give for a very
very long answer. So I just can to answer "partially and in pairs." If the
painting I have to mention 2 Gustav - Klimt, with his innovation, rupture,
darin…and Courbet by the intensity of its realism… In classical music,Liszt
played by Cziffra and Paganini by Perlman. In both cases for being the long
plain that precedes the marvelous feeling of paradise.. In “other” music, I will
confine myself for the French language, by Piaf and Cantautor (Singer-
songwriter) Brel….I love both. When I listen them I am always moved I don’t
know what else I can say more… In the photograph again two, Robert -
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Doisneau and Capa. They photographed the life, people, day to day, the war,
te death… uniquely and so personal…and I could continue with the cinema,
poetry, football ...
Nektarina (S)pace: What is your favourite bit of Budapest? Why?
Joaquim F. L. Pimpão: Budapest is a city that is beautiful by its splendor
"per si", with Danube river separating and uniting Buda and Pest.. In
Budapest I like the margins on the Danube, the green spaces and
architecture. I would highlight the Castle with its view of the city and its
classical setting, the living memory of the "Belle Époque".
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Nihad Penava:
Regarding
media
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Nektarina (S)pace: Would you say that in today’s world of internet, social
networks and social media people are better informed that 10 or 15 years ago,
or not?
Nihad Penava: We have many more possibilities, sources and rescues to be
better informed today. Internet, social networks and social media are able to
react very quickly, producing and transiting news immediately, even all over
the world. These contemporary forms of media are powerful, often spreading a
strong impact around. They are able to produce and transmit plenty and plenty
of information, useful or less useful. Do we lose news quality, being that
productive and quick? Sometimes yes. Do these media educate enough? They
could educate more, but of course, they do provide high level of democracy,
particularly providing us with open forums, and encourage civic journalism at
the same time. Are people better informed today? Hard to answer precisely. I
would say yes, but also more confused, being attacked by so many media
compared to 10 or 15 years ago. At least, we have a choice today.
Nihad graduated from the BBC High School of Broadcasting and
he has been a journalist since 2000. He worked as a producer
and correspondent for Deutsche Welle. Nihad currently works
as a communication and production advisor and is based in
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Interviewed by Sandra Antonovic
Photo credits and copyrights Nihad Penava
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Media transparency is not just important,
it is crucial.
Nektarina (S)pace: How important is transparency in news and media in
general? Is there transparency in media at all?
Nihad Penava: Media transparency is not just important, it is crucial to survive
all influences and pressures nowadays. It is one of the most important fact
defending media independence and professionalism. At least, it should be right
like that. At the same time, we are witnesses of many opposite cases that are
often, unfortunately, subjects of aggressive lobbies, marketing, the global crisis,
different hidden interests etc. Media transparency exists, but it is still
measured by tiny values.
Nektarina (S)pace: Many news outlets seem to be losing credibility (CNN is one
example), usually for very basic things like not checking the source of
information, not checking the facts. Why would you say that is? The need to be
“a fast delivery news outlet”, slipping professionalism or has sensationalism
won over the investigative journalism?
Nihad Penava: Quantity often does not work with quality, as well, speed often
does not work with professionalism and credibility. If we can keep all of these
things it would be excellent, but it is not easy, particularly having so many
parallel sources. Commercial media often do run for exclusivity and
sensationalism and that is understandable, because it often sells a piece of
media work, especially if they are going to present true information, covered by
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relevant facts, but trying to be a quickest - they often simply do not have
enough time to check its source, one or more, that is surely a huge risk and
danger for their professional existence and potential bad audience feedback.
Audience is the most important judge. Concerning "investigative journalism",
it seems it is very posh today to try to sell any piece of journalism as investiga-
tive. It sounds rich.
Media transparency exists,
but it is still measured by tiny values.
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Nektarina (S)pace: Is the (mainstream) media more biased than it used to be,
or not?
There are biased and ethical media, it doesn't matter whether they are
mainstream or not.
Nektarina (S)pace: You worked for Deutsche Welle, and you also had a
chance to spend some time at BBC. How would you compare the two? What
were your experiences?
Nihad Penava: I graduated at the London's BBC High School of
Broadcasting Journalism in 2002, which aims for students to learn and follow
high standards and guidelines of broadcasting journalism that have been
developed and recognized since 1922. Regarding the Deutsche Welle, my
experience there is as a producer, based in Cologne and Bonn, as well as a
correspondent from the Balkans. BBC and DW have almost a same mission,
strengthening independent journalism worldwide in more than 30 languages,
including education, particularly during wars, crisis and different conflicts
where media are often corrupted and powerless.
Nektarina (S)pace: What would you say is the main difference in how
information is presented in the Western World media and in the Arab World
media?
Nihad Penava: The Arabic World is facing a rapid expansion that also
includes media expansion. Many economic analysts say they are even escaping
the global economic crisis all the time, but professional media are professional
media, based in Doha or London for example.
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Nektarina (S)pace: What is mainstream media today? With the huge reach of
socialnetworks would you say that they are becoming the mainstream media,
or are things (a bit) different?
Nihad Penava: It is more a philosophical thesis, less a media one.
"Mainstream" is sometimes a relative measure and mainstream media are
often not connected with their number of readers or origin. It is possible to
say that social networks are currently getting these mainstream values right.
"Mainstream" is sometimes a relative measure.
Nektarina (S)pace: Can we talk about independent media today? How do you
see independent media today?
Nihad Penava: All media belongs to anybody, directly or indirectly, that has
its or their missions, goals, interests... Their media are their property and they
are unfortunately often the easiest way to realize their goals, even sometimes
trying to manipulate audience into getting their attention. The answer is
clear, I would say. Seriously now, the situation is getting worse, but there are
still enough independent media, luckily.
Nektarina (S)pace: Many people see PR as “controlling the information
(flow)”. Would you agree? Why?
Nihad Penava: It is even possible to say that is kind of their job or, at least, a
part of their job. They defend colours of their profession.
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Anam Gill vs Pakistani elections
“If voting changed
anything, they’d make it
illegal”
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By Anam Gill
With the election fervor at its peak, various political parties blowing
their trumpets, people dreaming and hoping for change, I am once again
caught in the oblivion.
I watch this spectacle with the detachment of an anatomist or the
imperturbable spectator. I watch it with a thousand questions and feelings of
rage assailing me, with a hope of understanding in what way; these people
determine my destiny, our destiny.
Our destiny, does it depend on universal laws or on a few individuals or
nothing else? Being exposed to these vigorous election campaigns, playing on
the idea of change and justice, I am reminded of the saying by Emma
Goldman “if voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal.”
Here one cannot overlook the sacrifices of those innumerable individuals who
marched hand in hand for democracy. But is democracy that simple
definition we learnt in school? Who is there to say that they did not teach us
lies at school? Or is it about making democracy a reality, a reality I long to
live.
It’s an old dilemma, which no one has resolved or ever will. It is like that trap
where each answer carries within itself its own contradiction.
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Bertrand Russell once wrote “Whether the populations of the world are to live
or die rests with the decisions of Khrushchev, Mao Tse Tung and Mr. John
Foster Dulle, not with ordinary mortals like ourselves. If they say “die”, we
shall die. If they say “live” we shall live.” Maybe he is wrong but I cannot
exclude the idea that our existence is decided by a few people, their dreams and
will.
I do not understand the mechanism of power by which some men or women
become invested with the right to rule over others and punish them if they do
not obey. Of course to avoid chaos a group requires a governing authority but
the tragic part is the need for an authority to be governed. Those who
determine our destiny are not really better than us. They can be more
ambitious and enterprising but they are neither more intelligent, nor
enlightened nor stronger than us.
I do understand those who criticise and rebel against power imposed by
brutality. I do understand the silence of those who do not react or who suffer
at the hands of these powers, mostly misled and fooled by them.
Whether power comes from a treacherous general or an adored leader, I see
power as a hateful and inhuman phenomenon.
We, the young population, everywhere in the world are viewed as impatient,
disobedient and dissenters. There are some who acknowledge our thirst for
justice, a word that has been exploited a lot; a word that is so utopian.
Strolling on the Muhammad Mahmoud street in Egypt after the revolution
and seeing the graffiti of all those young martyrs filled me with regret, a
young person born in the year 1995 lost his life for what? He had a right to
dream and discover.
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Sadly, I don’t have any solutions. Anyone who has the solution in their pock-
et is a presumptuous fool. I only have an opinion which can be summed up in
two letters NO. No to the vulgar disparities I witness every day. No to the
false promises being made. I don’t want to be misled or fooled by the power
structures which are so deep-rooted that I will be lost even if I try to trace
that path. I want to think. People don’t think anymore, they feel.
“Watch your thoughts for they become words, watch your words for they
become actions, watch your actions for they become habits, watch your habits
for they become character and watch your character, for it becomes your
destiny.”
Anam is a student of
media studies, passionate
and committed toward
issues of human rights
and social justice.
An interview with Anam
Gill can be read in our
May issue.
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Relay For Life
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Relay For Life
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Living
loving
life
experiencing…. By Bettina Fellov and Camilla Lærke Lærkesen
Photos by Bettina Fellov and Frederik Rogren
A friend called me, asking if I would walk for cancer at midnight and
one hour ahead 25th of May as she had signed up and was prevented joining the
walk. So off I went to experience a wonderful walk and such cozy atmosphere
in the school yard of Dragoer School. People were gathered in the yard while a
band, Bloody Merry was playing and some people was walking or running the
distance. In front of the stage there were many paperback lights which I heard
of before but never had the fantasy to imagine how it looks and it looks
amazing.
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Starting walking my distance which was lighted by paperback lights, I
decided to know more about the Relay For Cancer and contacted Camilla
Lærke Lærkesen one of the people arranging this event to ask details of what
it all was about. You can read her story here:
Relay For Life
Relay For Life is one of the biggest non-profit fundraising events in the
world, however most people have never heard of it. The concept is difficult to
understand and I often experienced that as soon as people heard that it is a 24
hour event of relay race they stopped listening. It was too weird. Too much
time to spend on an unclear task. Originally the Relay was invented of an
American doctor in 1985 who wanted to do something for his cancer patients.
He rented a sports stadium where friends and family could donate 25 dollars to
come and run with him. More people came to participate or watch and he
raised 27.000 dollars that day. Today there are more than 5000 relays in
America and relays in more than 20 different countries on different
continents. I did not know all of this when I got involved. I am 21 years old
and back then I was in need of a job. It was quite a coincidence that I saw a
notice in a shop window in my town. I went to a meeting and before I knew it,
I was head of the team coordinator group. Not long after two women joined me.
It turned out they were more clueless than I, because they thought they had
signed up for a relay race and now we were planning it. We even had one of
the most important roles: find participants. The challenge was to convince
others to spend 24 hours of their weekend on an event we had not been to
ourselves and what was described as something you cannot explain, because it
has to be experienced.
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It is both fundraising and relay. It is a celebration of life and yet it is too
hard for some people to be involved. The guests of honor are called “Fighters”.
They are current or previous cancer patients. They are here to be praised.
They are here because they are not alone. Participating with a team is a way
of showing the Fighters that they are not fighting alone. Walking through
day and night is a struggle that we can only manage together. We lift the
burden together because that way it is a little easier. We give one day of our
lives to those who may not have many left and we do it to show that we care
and that we are there for them. What I like most about the experience is all of
its elements. It is a fundraising but it is not the most important thing. The
Fighters are guests of honor but you do not need to be or know a Fighter to be
there.
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We expected between 10 and 15 teams with about ten participations on each
this first year the Relay For Life came to Dragoer. In the beginning it was
slow but as the word spread more and more teams signed up and we ended up
with 20 teams and more than 300 people. Every team is fundraising in their
own name. Some sold homemade cookies, some brought therapists to sell
massages, there were face paint, lemonade, lottery and so much more. In the
end all the money is donated altogether. Most teams also find a sponsor who
donates an amount of money per round. It motivates the teams to keep going
and includes the local businesses in the fundraising in a fun way. Personally I
made a lottery and I was amazed to get 46 donated gifts to this purpose. The
support and interest from local sponsors were massive. Each team is supposed
to have at least one person out walking or running at all times. The rest gathers
in tents on camping furniture enjoying the music, entertainment and activities
going on. They are cheering for their teammates, dancing to the music, eating
together and enjoying each other’s company. There is a light and happy
atmosphere and yet a hint of seriousness in the good way from all the people
counting their rounds, raising as much money as they can for the good cause.
Everybody was focused and laborious in the middle of all the fun, the laughing
and the quality time. I think that is why it went so well. Everybody had an
interest in being there and doing their best while having an amazing time.
During the 24 hours of the event there are a few ceremonies both festive ones
and sad ones. My favorite one is the first; all the Fighters get a balloon as the
event opens after the opening speeches and on the count of three they let it go.
Hundreds of colorful balloons fly op in the air symbolizing the Fighters letting
go of the cancer. Hereafter all the Fighters in matching, bright yellow t-shirts
lead on in the first round of Relay For Life and all the rest of us follow them.
The Fighters looked so happy and proud. It was beautiful. At night there is a
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ceremony of light. For months we had sold paperbags for people to decorate
and write to our loved ones. We write to those who fight and to the ones who
lost their fight. We write to the ones we miss and the ones we do not want to
lose. We write all the things that are too hard to say. When it is dark we light
a candle in each bag and place it in front of the scene. We listen to beautiful
live music and take time to think of all these people with their names on the
bags. Then we place the bags around the route to light for us during the night.
It was clear to me that in the morning time there was a spirit of peace,
satisfaction, relief and happiness as the sun went up and the teams had made
it through the night. It is indeed true that Relay for Life cannot be explained
but has to be experienced and all of the skeptics came to me and told me how
thankful they were for being there and that they would be back next year. And
of course we have already set the date for 2014.
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Remember
Nature?
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Remember
Nature?
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Saving Energy
HOFOR (formerly known as Københavns Energi) and 10:10 Danmark
together took the initiative in 2012 to initiate the campaign ’Sommerluk.dk’
which should put focus on the big potential of saving energy and CO2 by
shutting the district heating system correctly down for the summer. This year
we are running the campaign once again.
It is estimated that more than half of the Danish district hearting users
do not close their district heating system down for summer, or are doing it
wrong. This means a lot of wasted money and a lot of CO2 in the atmosphere
that could be avoided. That is why HOFOR contacted 10:10 Danmark and
together we took the initiative for the Sommerluk.dk campaign.
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The goal for the campaign is to make a national campaign amongst
energy delivering companies/utilities and interest groups, to put focus on the
big energy savings and the optimized use of the heating, which can be reached
by closing the district heating system correctly for the summer. We want to
make the ‘Sommerluk.dk’ campaign a recurring event and make a network,
which puts focus on district heating.
Also the campaign has as a goal to work together with plumbing services,
to make them make their customers aware of turning down the heating system
for summer time, so a lot of the effort to save energy by the energy delivering
companies/utilities is taken into account. Additionally the campaign has as a
goal to make a network where knowledge and experience can be shared.
The method for the campaign is a broad cooperation between HOFOR
and 10:10 Danmark and all interested organizations and companies. To make
it easier to get the message of the campaign broadly spread, there has been
produced material about the campaign that is free for anyone to use. There is
also a website with information and a video, which tells how a typical
“summer closure” is done (www.sommerluk.dk).
Furthermore we have as a target to be present in the media, with the
help of press releases, advertisements, using the social media, and our own
website. We have already reached a lot of media coverage, both in national
and regional television, newspapers, etc.
The campaign in 2012 was a success. It made a lot of people think and
talk about “summer closing” the district heating system. This is why we want
to repeat the campaign this year too. It will start the 15th of May 2013.
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How to prepare your heating system for the summer
As the weather turns warmer, and you don’t feel that the heat from your
radiators is needed anymore, you should turn off your heating system. For
many people the 15th of May is the right time, while others find it more
appropriate to wait until early June. Regardless the time there will be energy
savings to obtain.
Turn off the circulation pump and the valve for the heat exchanger
To turn off your heating system for the summer you have to turn off the
circulation pump for the radiator system and close the heating systems valve
for the heat exchanger. Be aware that not all district heating systems are
alike. If you have any doubts, contact your local utility or plumber/heating
and sanitary engineer. They’ll be able to answer your questions.
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Avoid problems with the circulation pump
For the circulation pump for the radiator system it isn’t appropriate to stand
still for a longer period of time. For that reason the pump has to be turned on
for ten seconds once a month. By doing this you’ll avoid the pump from
sticking.
Pay attention to humidity/moisture
When turning off the circulation pump and the valve for the heat exchanger
for the summer, it is important to ensure regular ventilation, as a lot of newer
buildings are so well isolated that a lack of ventilation can result in humidity/
moisture problems. This is especially relevant if the summer is relatively cold.
If you normally have the heat turned on in the basement to avoid humidity/
moisture you shouldn’t turn off your heating system unless you have found
other ways to ensure a proper dehumidification. We generally recommend that
you maintain a good indoor climate. Dew on the window panes can be an
indication of humidity/moisture problems.
There is a risk of humidity/moisture problems if
The summer is cold
You live in a newer, well isolated house
You do not ventilate properly
Photo and visuals credits Sommerluk campaign.
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The sink is the
bin of water.
By Bettina Nada Fellov
Water is the only product that we throughout in the same moment that we
buy it. Imagine to go shopping in a supermarket buying eggs and through them
out in a bin as soon as you paid for the eggs. That would never happen but that
is actually how we treat the product water. Opening for the tap we buy water
and through it out as the water disappear in the sink and out the sewer system.
How come we value eggs higher than water? Production of eggs takes only half
a year from the chicken leaves its egg shell. Production of clean water from the
underground takes between 20 years and up to several hundred years depending
on the composition of the underground.
The average domestic water consumption per person per day is 117 liter in
Denmark having investigated the internet for average consumption of domestic
water throughout the world gives quiet a good idea that within water
consumption there are huge potentials of saving water and thereby contribute to
diminish CO2 emissions due to heating of the water, producing the water and
treatment of water in sewage systems. Starting up with the realizing that the
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sink is the bin of water you will already start changing your habits using
water . as you knowing that you through water out every time you open the
tap.
Next step is to find out how much water that is running out your tap.
To figure that out you need a measuring jug, then you open your tap and
hold the measuring jug under the running water for 6 seconds. The amount
of deciliters of water in the jug is the same amount of liters per minute when
multiplied with 10. If the amount of water is 8 liter or les it is all right. If
your tap runs with higher amount of liters you can change the aerator to a
aerator that save water.
The same exercise you can perform with your shower. Shower given they are
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water saving shower should not let more water out than maximum 8 liters, if
they lead out more water, you can save a lot of water exchanging the
showerhead.
Being in the bathroom you can check out if your toilet is leaking water. Grab a
piece of toilet paper and fold it to put it on the back of the inside of the toilet,
see photo. If the toilet paper gets wet from the top, your toilet is leaking water.
Often leaking toilets are due to small limestone on the edge of the flushing
channel in the buttom of the cistern. Emptying the cistern for water and
adding in vinegar overnight usually fixes the problem with the leaking toilet.
Now next step is addressing habits using water and of cause the tap should be
closed while tooth brushing and cleaning vegetables should be done in bowls of
water instead of cleaning them in running water. As the personal hygienic is a
mayor post in water consumption, let´s look into showering habits starting with
mine. I shower daily three or five minutes, as I wash my hair every second day
I need five minutes in the showers and days where I do not wash my hair I
need three minutes, sometimes les depending on how busy I am.
My shower head send out 7 liter of water per minutes, so some day s my shower
result in consumption of 21 liter and other days 35 liters. In average 4 minutes
per day and 28 liter per day. Beneath you can find a table in which I have cal-
culated water consumption during showering with different showers and with
different length of showering. The table posted here calculates the prices for
the water consumption while showering in Denmark, though I have put out the
table on facebook for you to download being able to change the currency to the
currency of your country.
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Besides the consumption of water there is a pricing on heating the water.
Assuming that the tap water without heating will be around 10 °C we will
need the water to be heated to around our body temperature 37°C, meaning
we need energy to heat the water 27°C. Using the heat transfer equation Q =
m∙c∙Δt ; Q is the energy needed to heat a matter from one temperature to a
wanted temperature, in our case heating our shower from 10°C to 37°C; m, the
amount in Kilo ; c, is the heat capacity of the matter to be heated ; ∆t, is the
temperatur change the matter has to be heated: t1-t2. Using this equation we
are able to calculate energy consumption we need to shower with different
shower heads and at different showering time. See table below.
Water consumption showering and prices in Dragør, Denmark 2013
Shower consumption per minute in this row 7 liter 10 liter 15 liter 20 liter
Minutes in this column M3 EUR M3
EUR M3 EUR M3
EUR
4 10 76 15 109 22 163 29 218
5 13 95 18 136 27 204 37 272
6 15 114 22 163 33 245 44 326
10 26 190 37 272 55 408 73 544
15 38 286 55 408 82 612 110 816
20 52 384 73 544 110 816 146 1088 30 77 571 110 816 164 1224 219 1632
Heating of water from 10ºC to 37ºC - energy consumption and economy in Dragør, Denmark 2013
Calculations are based on heating with natural gas
Shower consumption per minute in this row 7 liter 10 liter 15 liter 20 liter
Minutes in this column kWh EUR kWh EUR kWh EUR kWh EUR
4 321 36 458 51 688 76 917 101
5 401 44 573 63 859 95 1146 127
6 481 53 688 76 1031 114 1375 152
10 802 89 1146 127 1719 190 2292 254
15 1203 133 1719 190 2578 285 3438 381
20 1617 179 2292 254 3438 381 4584 507 30 2406 266 3438 381 5157 571 6876 761
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Forget
tumble drying,
reduce your
carbon footprint
and
save energy
by becoming
a part of
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Coming up in
July issue
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Interview with Tara DePorte,
founder of the Human Impacts Institute
Interview with Kevin Buckland,
Art Ambassador for 350.org
Interview with Zeljko Serdar, founder of the
Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources
Jean Paul Brice Affana: Experiencing Cairo
Volga Svorinic: Saving a City
Online Exhibition: Radomir Kujundzic -
The Adriatic Love Affair
Flemming Brylle, local artist at the age of 78
Torslunde Festival
Summer, actually
and much more
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http://animal-backgrounds.com/lion/lion-wallpapers-hd.html
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Nektarina (S)pace is a web magazine published monthly
by Nektarina Non Profit, a non governmental,
non profit organization registred in Croatia.
ISSN 1847-6694
www.nektarinanonprofit.com
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