Forwarded Message: Hello Deep Ecology Friends, Two of the Institute for Deep Ecology's sister organizations, the Centre for Human Ecology in Scotland and the Institute for Deep Ecology UK, are hosting a great conference in Scotland in June 1999. It will definitely be deep ecology based and will draw people from throughout the world. They are currently seeking papers and workshop leaders. Please consider attending or submitting papers. Tara Strand-Brown Director FOR THE LOVE OF NATURE? An International Interdisciplinary Conference Exploring the Relationship between Humanity and Nature Findhorn Bay, Scotland 24th-27th June 1999 FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS/CONTRIBUTIONS What promises to be a landmark conference on the relationship between humans and nature will happen in Scotland in June 1999. For the Love of Nature? will bring together thinkers and practitioners from all walks of life who work at or are concerned with the interface between humanity and the more-than-human world - be that farmers, ecologists or lovers of the outdoors, but also gardeners, planners, pet lovers, psychologists and the just plain interested. It will be a unique chance to meet and make friends with colleagues from a variety of disciplines and cultures who share a love of the natural world and a concern for our mutual welfare. QUESTIONS At the close of the twentieth century, there is an increasingly distant relationship between humans and the natural world. Loss of relationship can lead to abusive behaviour. As a result species disappear, the atmosphere is degraded, the tide of pollution rises, and first world consumption of natural resources continues unabated. In transgressing natural limits, we abuse nature at our own peril. As we move into the new millennium, we need to develop a sustainable relationship with the Earth and all its manifestations. For the Love of Nature? poses some fundamental questions: * What is 'nature'? * What is our relationship to nature? * Are we a part of nature? * Is nature a part of us? It will aim to inspire and empower us to work towards a more just and ecologically responsible society. The conference will give participants opportunities to share knowledge and resources, and will encourage collaboration in projects designed to achieve this aim. THEMES Themes of the conference will include: * The relationship between changing ourselves and changing the world. * The interface between spiritual practice and activism. * Our interactions with animals and plants. * The psychology of sustainability. * Technology and responsibility. SPEAKERS Among the many speakers provisionally confirmed are: * Vandana Shiva - physicist, philosopher, feminist and campaigner on agriculture and genetic engineering; author of Staying Alive and Ecofeminism (India) * John Seed - rainforest advocate, pioneer of deep ecology; originator, Council of All Beings and co-author, Thinking Like a Mountain (Australia) * Helen Caldicott - medical doctor, anti-nuclear campaigner, co-founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility, author of Missile Envy and If You Love This Planet (Australia) * Aubrey Manning - animal behaviourist and television naturalist, Professor of Zoology, former Chair Scottish Wildlife Trust, co-author of Animals and Human Society (Scotland) * Satish Kumar - Editor, Resurgence magazine and founder, Schumacher College (India / UK) * Alastair McIntosh - indigenous land rights campaigner, author of the forthcoming Soil and Soul (Scotland) * Robert Greenway - professor of psychology and wilderness leader (Washington, USA) * Colwyn Trevarthen - Prof. of Child Psychology (Scotland) * Mary Gomes - professor of psychology, Sonoma State University (California, USA) * Francoise Wemelsfelder - ethologist, researcher on animal sentience, Scottish Agricultural College * Elizabeth Bragg - environmental psychologist & Rainforest Information Centre (Australia) * David Devalle - philosopher (Wales) * John Talbot - Findhorn Ecovillage (Scotland) * Alan Watson - Trees for Life (Scotland) * Tania Dolley - UK Ecopsychology Network (England) * Hilary Prentice - Psychotherapists and Counsellors for Social Responsibility (England) * Michael Northcott - ecotheologian (Scotland) EVENTS For the Love of Nature? will bring together diverse disciplines and schools of thought and will encompass varying levels of participation. The FORMAT includes: * Keynote presentations by an international selection of leading practitioners and theorists. * Seminars, academic papers, experiential workshops and trainings. * A full programme of arts and music. * Small 'home groups' where discussion and support will be facilitated. There will also be a programme of related events including: * John Seed will facilitate a three day deep ecology intensive. * The Findhorn Foundation will offer a meditation retreat. * Alastair McIntosh, educator and Scots land reform campaigner, will lead an exploratory Journey to the Hebrides. * A workshop on ecopsychology, led by eminent teachers. * Trees For Life will lead a field trip - Restoring the Scottish Wilderness - to present their work of healing this ecologically devastated land. REGISTRATION Early registration is recommended as the main conference will be limited to 300 participants. Contact CHE (details below) to reserve your place. CALL FOR PAPERS/CONTRIBUTIONS If you would like to present a paper, organise a Seminar or facilitate a Workshop on any aspect of relating to nature and our responsibility for nature (from Organic Gardening to Animal Welfare to Ecopsychology), contact the Centre for Human Ecology. If you are an artist and wish to exhibit or perform please send an artist statement and slides. Submissions must be with us by 1 September 1998. ORGANISERS The conference is being organised by the Centre for Human Ecology, the Edinburgh based 'green' think tank founded in 1972, which is Scotland's leading catalyst and advocate for ecological thinking, in partnership with the Institute for Deep Ecology (UK), an educational forum which aims to facilitate and contribute to the development of deep ecology. It will take place at the Findhorn Foundation, an internationally known educational charity and community striving to live sustainably, in harmony with nature. It is an NGO associated with the UN. CONTACT US The best way to Register, offer a Paper, Seminar or other contribution, or to get the latest conference information is via the web site: http://www.clan.com/environment/che/ (where you will soon be able to book your place, or offer a contribution) or by email to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. If you don't have access to the internet, then please address all surface correspondence to: For the Love of Nature? Centre for Human Ecology P.O. Box 1972 Edinburgh EH1 1YG Scotland A leaflet containing all the information above together with a booking form is available. Please contact us for single or multilple copies for distribution. ************ Tara Strand-Brown 3750 Acreage Lane, Sebastopol, CA 95472 707 874-2357, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to humans ("pure habitat"). Want to help? (I spent the previous 8 years fighting auto dependence and road construction.) http://www.imaja.com/change/environment/mvarticles --- I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to humans ("pure habitat"). Want to help? (I spent the previous 8 years fighting auto dependence and road construction.) http://www.imaja.com/change/environment/mvarticles
