Crete – Prof Jem Bendell

Outside the Academy — The Academy in Crete

Here is the final line up for the 1.5 day event in Greece on alternative exchange and currencies… There’s still time to register for the summit. Crisis is opportunity!

October 10th

900-1000
An introduction to money and its effects
Thomas Greco, best selling author on community currencies 1hr

1000-1030
Why “Sustainability” Professionals Need to Embrace Alternative Exchange
Professor Jem Bendell, Uni of Cumbria 30 mins

1030
Coffee, 15 mins

1045-1200
The Effects of Different Currencies: The Trading Game
Jem Bendell and Sybille Saint Girons, Les Valeureux, 1hr 15mins

1200-100
Experiences with TEM in Volos and Chania
Giannis Grigoriou, Volos TEM & Giannis Bouleros, Chania TEM, 1hr

100-215
Lunch, 1hr

215-300
Lessons from Argentina’s Social Money Movement 2001-2002
Sergio Lub, Favors.org and Thomas Greco, 45 mins

300-345
Design and Software Issues for Alternative Exchange
Matthew Slater, Community Forge 45 mins

345-400
Tea, 15 mins

400-515
Expert Roundtable
Thomas Greco, Matthew Slater, Giannis Grigoriou, Hamish Jenkins (United Nations) and Sybille Saint Girons. Chaired by Jem Bendell, 1hr

October 11th

900-930
Breakout meetings on key questions, 30 mins

930-1015
Research findings on alternative exchange in Greece
Irene Sotiropoulou, University of Crete, 45 mins

1015-1030
Coffee, 15 mins

1030-1130
Key success factors and limiting factors in mutual credit
Thomas Greco, 1hr

1130-1200
Software Demonstration
Matthew Slater, 30 mins

1200-100
Facilitated dialogue on key questions from breakout meetings
Facilitated by Jem Bendell, 1hr

100-130
Conclusions on next steps
Facilitated by Jem Bendell, 30 mins

130
Lunch
1hr

In the afternoon, depending on interest and attendance, experts and practitioners in community currencies may convene for a hosted dialogue on “Globalising Localisation: how can we help each other?”

An important milestone arrives in October – my 40th. I’ll be in Crete, where friends in the field of sustainability have created a unique place for experiential learning about sustainable enterprise and living. Lovely people doing great things across Europe will come together for the ‘end of summit’ party, and my birthday, in true Cretan style with lots of tasty local food with far too much wine and raki accompanied by raucous Cretan music and dancing!

Would you like to join us in a stunning state of the art eco-building in an ancient Cretan olive grove with 2000m snow capped mountain backdrop? I would be chuffed if you did.

My birthday, Friday 12th October, will be the final day of the Inaugural Summit of the European Sustainability Academy (ESA). So, if you are interested in sustainability or social change, then you would enjoy arriving earlier in the week for some of the courses and events. And especially if you are inquisitive about wellness practices, such as Yoga or Qi Gong, which will occur at various times that week. Then on Saturday 13th October there is an organised tour of local eco-enterprises and a boat trip.

The party will be happening at Liberta Villas, 2km from ESA in the village of Palaloni. I’m promised its an exquisite location with a stunning 2600m mountain backdrop. ESA is on the edge of the village of Drapanos. Liberta has some accommodation, as do the two villages, and there is still more at the nearby beach town of Almyrida (email Sharon for info: Sharon.Jackson at eurosustainability.org).

I hear that in Greece right now there is an exciting air of change and thirst for new ideas and innovations. On the 10th I will co-lead a seminar with Matthew Slater of CommunityForge.net on creating and participating in alternative exchange systems and community currencies. We will be joined by Greeks who are pioneering these solutions to the current crisis. On the 11th I will support my Lifeworth colleague Ian Doyle in leading the now-famous ‘Giving Voice to Values’ training, which helps us to understand our values and express them in difficult situations. On the morning of the 12th there will be a ‘sustainability leadership’ round-table involving some Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum. Then Eva Voutsaki, from Crete, will guide us through a process of developing autobiographic narratives for clarifying our personal goals, and Ed Gillespie, from Futerra, will helps us explore the importance of authenticity in our communications. Greek pioneers of sustainable enterprise and lifestyles will also be attending during the second week of the summit (which starts Oct 8th).

The programme will be uploaded and updated soon at www.EuroSustainability.org. The nearest airport is Chania, and Heraklion is an hour and a half away: www.whichbudget.com and www.skyscanner.net are places to find out routes. At least one guest is coming by ferry and trains. See http://www.loco2.com/ or ask me for info on overland/sea transport (as you could travel with other sustainability adventurers).

There’s no cost for attendance on the 12th or for the party. No presents either, please. Just support something local if you want to (we’ll come up with ideas). If you want to come earlier in the week for some of the events, which makes total sense, or even the full 2 week sustainability summit (what a treat!), then please email Sharon Jackson about details and fees: Sharon.Jackson at eurosustainability.org As the academy building isnt huge, and transport is cheaper if booked earlier, you should go for it now!

I do hope you can come and help me celebrate in a meaningful way.

The address:

European Sustainability Academy
Jackson A.S, Drapanos, 73008 Vamos, Chania.
http://www.EuroSustainability.org
Inaugural Sustainability Summit
2nd October – 14th October 2012

The address of my party on the 12th:
http://www.libertavillas.gr/