Contents

1. The Learning Challenge
2. Convergence
3. Feasta Members Forum
4. New Feasta Publication
5. Feasta Membership

(1) The Learning Challenge

FEASTA in partnership with Sustainable Ireland Cooperative present
"The Learning Challenge"
The Education and Sustainability Forum at the Convergence Festival

Wednesday 21st May 2003 10.00 - 17.00 €25
CULTIVATE: Sustainable Living Centre, Essex Street W., Temple Bar, Dublin 8

This forum is an opportunity for parents, educators, organisations and institutions to meet and address one of the most important issues of our time: the need for our educational systems to create a sustainable future.

As a part of this interactive day of learning, Stephen Sterling will outline how systemic change of educational culture towards the realisation of human potential and an increased awareness of the interdependence of social, economic and ecological well-being, can lead to transformative learning.

Furthermore, various Irish-based educational initiatives, both formal and informal, will be introduced and an innovative discussion format will allow participants to exchange ideas and raise their awareness and capacities to create a sustainable future.

How do I find out more and register?
Please email info@sustainable.ie or see www.sustainable.ie

Stephen Sterling is an independent consultant, working in the academic and NGO fields. He was involved in developing the MSc in Environmental and Development Education at South Bank University (SBU), London, where he is an academic tutor. He has an extensive publications record, including Good Earth-Keeping: Education, Training and Awareness for a Sustainable Future (UNEP UK 1992), Education for Sustainability (Earthscan 1996), and Education for Sustainable Development in the Schools Sector (Sustainable Development Education Panel, 1988). He has been a long term consultant with WWF-UK on their professional development programme. He is a member of the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication, of the UNED-UK Education Task Group, and the Oxfam Advisory Group on Global Citizenship, and is an external examiner for Bath Spa University College. He is currently completing a doctoral thesis on systems thinking, education and sustainability.

Supported by COMHAR: The National Sustainable Development Partnership

(2) Convergence Festival

From May 16th to 25th the fourth annual Convergence festival will take place at Cultivate: Sustainable Living Centre. 15-19 Essex Street West, Temple Bar, Dublin 8.

With over 70 events including conferences, forums, lectures, workshops and film, this festival is not to be missed.

Feasta supports this festival and are participating in many of the events. Our own Development Co-ordinator, Davie Philip is one of the main organisers and we can thoroughly recommend attending.
The full programme is on-line at www.sustainable.ie
For registration and further information on the 4th Convergence Festival contact: Sustainable Ireland Cooperative. 15-19 Essex Street West, Old City, Temple Bar, Dublin 8; Tel: (01) 674 6396; email: info@sustainable.ie

Here are some of the highlights...

The Slow Food Banquet -Main Hall - €60.00
Wednesday 14th 19.30 - 22.30
The festival launch, highlighting the emerging slow food movement and the importance of locally produced, organic and wild food. The banquet will comprise of a seven course meal prepared by top international chefs David Gumbleton and Enrico Fantasia, short presentations and entertainment. This event is a fundraiser for the Convergence Festival. Supported by Sheridan's Cheese Mongers, Dennis Healy Organic Delights and Irish Organic.

"How Can We Work Together Towards a Sustainable Future?"
Civil Society & NGO Forum
Friday 16th May 2003; 9.00a.m. - 5.00p.m.
A One-Day Open Space Forum event for environmental, development and community non-government organisations. This is a free event with lunch supplied for those who register.
Supported by Ireland Aid, Development Education Unit

MAKING DIFFERENCE - How Change Happens - Main Hall - €5.00
Monday 19th 19.30 - 21.30
An evening session exploring the dynamics of change, with Paula Downey and David Youell. Discover the link between personal input and our collective reality, the shaping influence of ideas and values on culture, and how small but discerning acts in complex systems can punch way beyond their weight. An empowering framework within which to experience the message of Convergence and the festival's events.

Eco-Footprints and the End of Fossil Fuels
Saturday 17th 14.00 - 17.00
At ENFO as part of the Eco-footprint Exhibit
This free forum includes the launch of Feasta's latest publication, Ireland's Transition to Renewable Energy and the ECCO Computer model of Energy and material flows in the Irish Economy.
Featuring Richard Douthwaite of FEASTA and Julian Darle, MetaFoundation, Canada

The Schumacher Lecture: George Monbiot
The Age of Consent: Proposals for global democratic governance. €10.00
Wednesday 21st 19.30 - 22.00
Evening Lecture with the leading Guardian journalist and author George Monbiot. Preceding the lecture the new Schumacher Briefing, Gaian Democracy will be launched by co-author John Jopling one of the founding members of Feasta.

Entering the Eco-Economy ­ Main Hall - €50.00 / €40.00
Thursday 22nd 09.30 ­ 17.30
A conference and exhibition exploring the enticing vision of an economy based on ecological and sustainability principles. A diverse exhibition of products and services that are helping to shift the economy towards sustainability will also be showcased. Featuring Pooran Desai, Richard Douthwaite, Alastair Fuad-Luke and others. Supported by COMHAR

Localisation - solving global crises from terrorism to climate change.
With Helena Norberg Hodge and Richard Douthwaite
Friday 23rd 19.30 - 22.00 - €10.00
Society today is faced with a choice between two diverging paths. The path endorsed by government and industry leads towards an ever more globalised economy, one in which the distance between producers and consumers will continue to grow. The other path is being built from the grassroots, and leads towards strong local economies in which producer-consumer links are shortened. Helena and Richard will talk about how moving in the latter direction may be one of the best ways of solving a whole range of serious social, economic and environmental problems, from rising rates of crime and violence to the greenhouse effect.

Planning an Irish Social Forum - Blackbox - Free
Saturday 24th 10.00 - 17.30
This is a one-day information and planning event for the Irish Social Forum (ISF) run by and for the different sectors of Irish civil society. There will be short presentations from Irish participants in the World and European Social Forums followed by discussion groups focusing on what we want the Irish Social Forum to be.

Check www.sustainable.ie/convergence for the full programme

(3) Feasta Members Forum

On the 14th and 15th of June, Feasta are holding a members' forum. The idea of this event is to enhance the wider participation of the membership in the life and work of Feasta.

The event will be held in Westport, Co Mayo. The programme will include:
- Lecture by Richard Douthwaite economist author and founding member of Feasta
- The Story So Far - a comprehensive update on how Feasta has developed over the past two years.
- Developing the Future - involving all present in shaping the work for the coming year.
- Social Evening ­ Craic agus Ceol -an opportunity to relax with other members.

We have tried to make the event as accessible as possible so we have limited the cost to €80 per person which includes food and accommodation for two nights. We aim to make this an enjoyable, educational and hopeful event.

We do hope you can attend and add your contribution to the growing struggle between money and life. Please book early as places will be limited. Please send bookings with your cheque or postal order for €80 made payable to Feasta.

(4) New Feasta Publication

A 240-page, large format book, Ireland's Transition to Renewable Energy, will be published by Feasta within the next few weeks. "It would be a mistake to think of it as just the texts of the lectures that were given at the conference with the same title in Thurles last Autumn" says Richard Douthwaite who is editing it.

"You can't say much in a thirty-minute conference slot and most of our speakers have taken the opportunity to prepare much more detailed explorations of their topics. We've also included important contributions from people who could not be there. It will certainly be the widest-ranging and most authoritative book ever published on Irelandıs energy options."

Nuala Ahern MEP obtained funding for preparing and printing the book from the Green Group in the European Parliament with the result that the first edition will be given away free. Paid-up Feasta members will be notified when copies arrive from the printers so that they can either call into the office to collect one or send a stamped, self-addressed envelope for a copy by post. Other copies will be circulated to TDs, senators, government departments and Third-Level institutions. "We expect to have to reprint and, if so, we will have to charge a proper price" Douthwaite says.

The book makes it clear that the amount of energy available to the world from oil and gas will begin to contract within the next twelve years, and that while coal is abundant, it would be a bad investment to develop it to fill the gap. This is not just because it is a dirty fuel which causes global warming. The main reason for rejecting it is that renewable energy sources, particularly wind, provide many more units of energy for sale from each unit of energy invested in developing them than coal is able to do.

(5) Feasta Membership

Membership of Feasta gives you the opportunity to support the foundation's work and entitles you to a discount on the Feasta review due out next month, two newsletters, quarterly e-mail bulletins, and concessions on our events and publications.

€20 for a years membership
€10 concession for students and unwaged
€30 for a voluntary group or organisation
€65 for a funded group or organisation

If you are not a member please consider becoming one. Donations are very welcome.