Mon, 13 Jul 2009

GLS Bank supports campaign to recruit 10,000 climate activists

BOCHUM (NNA) – The German ethical and ecological GLS Bank is supporting the “Endlich Handeln!” (Act Now!) campaign which aims to recruit 10,000 citizens as “climate activists”. The results of the campaign will then be presented to the decision-makers at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen in December.

“The time has come to act,” GLS executive spokesman Thomas Jorberg emphasised. Jorberg has personally worked to protect the climate for many years and is one of the patrons of the campaign.

“Climate protection is one of the most important issues of our time – if not the key issue – after all, the intactness of the world can determine war and peace, wealth and poverty, and the development of economies,” Jorberg writes in a GLS Bank press release.

The campaign proposes that the 10,000 citizens should open a CO2 account with which they can calculate their “ecological footprint” and are then shown measures which they personally can take to reduce their CO2. In this way they can compensate for their emissions and make an individual contribution to protecting the climate.

The GLS Bank has had a CO2 calculator, “KlimAktivist”, since 2008, which can be used to calculate this balance (www.gls.de/klima).

“The appeal from the climate activists will carry particular weight at the summit because these citizens will not just have given a signature but will themselves have started to take action,” Stephan Schunkert, chief executive of Klimaktiv gGmbH, said. The charity developed the CO2 calculator for the campaign with funding from the German environment ministry.

Other environmental organisations are also involved in the campaign initiated by Klimaktiv gGmbH, such as the nature conservation association Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V. (Nabu) and the clean power producer Elektrizitätswerke Schönau (EWS), as well as the IFEU Institute, an independent ecological research institute.

Patrons along with Thomas Jorberg are Prof. Dr.  Claudia Kemfert from the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Ursula Sladek (EWS Schönau), the Green MP Winfried Hermann, the MP from the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) Josef Göppel, the journalist Franz Alt and the researcher Arved Fuchs.

The progress of the campaign can be followed on the campaign portal (http://endlich-handeln.de). So far 267 people have registered to have their personal CO2 balance calculated.

End/nna/ung/cva

Link: http://endlich-handeln.de

Item: 090713-04EN Date: 13 July 2009

Copyright 2009 News Network Anthroposophy Limited. All rights reserved. See: www.nna-news.org/copyright/

More NNA reports at: www.nna-news.org/en/

Exploring the Weleda medicinal garden

DARMSTADT (NNA) - Demeter-Reisen, the travel portal of the biodynamic Demeter brand in Germany, is offering a trip with a difference.

In a collaboration with the natural cosmetics and medicines producer Weleda, it is offering a weekend away in early September to experience the Weleda medicinal garden near Schwäbisch Gmünd on the Swabian Alb.

More than 250 different plant species are grown here biodynamically on 20 hectares for processing into cosmetics and medicines. The holiday includes an exclusive tour of the garden, lectures and practical workshops to explain what goes into the Weleda products, as well as pampering with products from the garden.

Demeter-Reisen seeks to organise its holidays in the most environmentally compatible way. Other holidays include hiking through the German national parks, bicycle trips through the Baltic region, or canoeing on Swedish lakes.

End/nna/ung/cva

Link: www.demeter-reisen.de

Item: 090713-03EN Date: 13 July 2009 [Date]

Copyright 2009 News Network Anthroposophy Limited. All rights reserved. See: www.nna-news.org/copyright/

More NNA reports at: www.nna-news.org/en/

Dream journey to Latin America

Ruth Zbinden was a teacher in a Swiss Waldorf School who recently retired. Now she is fulfilling her dream: last October she sailed to South America on a cargo ship with the intention of travelling for at least a year. One of the things she wants to do is teach in an Indian village school. Here NNA’s travel correspondent reports on the first part of her adventure in Costa Rica and Guatemala.

COSTA RICA/GUATEMALA (NNA) - Two weeks ago, we docked in the Costa-Rican port of Limon after an interesting, exciting, yet restful journey across the ocean. I would not say no to another voyage like that one. To get to know a ship in that way, from the bridge to the engine room, a true witches’ cauldron, is a great experience. We were the only passengers among the 32-strong Russian crew. In Costa-Rica, we rented a hut which faced directly onto the warm, tropical sea. The howler monkeys woke us up every day at five in the morning. A true sense of the jungle. Once up in the mountains, amidst coffee plantations and near a thermal bath, a visit to such a coffee plantation inspired the following reflections:

Our Daily Pleasure…

An ode to Costa-Rican coffee…

When Christopher Columbus stepped ashore to what now is Costa Rica, more than 500 years ago, he called this place “The Rich Coast”, because here he hoped to find gold. But there was so little that it was not worth mining. It was used only by the indigenous people as decoration for the graves of the deceased. Thus Columbus, to his disappointment, found “only” fertile land. But today, we can thank this land for one treasure that it has given: coffee.

In the centre of the country, at between 800 and 1300 metres, stretch miles and miles of coffee plantations. During my trip, I got to know Linda and Ernesto who work at the Paraiso/Cartago farm, and grow organic Arabica coffee with their head, heart and hands, i. e.  holistically and with a lot of enthusiasm. The care of the earth, and the natural cycle of plants and fauna lie close to their hearts.

If rain falls on the Bromilia leaves and blossoms or foliage fall from the trees, humus forms. This humus provides the basis for the existence of life forms important to the growth of the coffee plant which can also prevent disease. That is why space is provided generously also for these plants.

Young coffee shrubs are tender little plants which must be looked after and be maintained carefully. At the age of two to three years they are bedded out and soon yield fruit. Fruit? Yes, because what grows are coffee berries. Two beans develop in the berries. The plants bloom in the spring, during the rainy season the green berries grow to finger size and by December they have become yellow, orange or red.

Now the most strenuous time for the farmers begins: harvest by hand, especially at Christmas time. Every day they have to go through the plantations for newly grown cherries. After the harvest, the bushes are pruned back and after around seven years they must often be replaced. It is important for high quality coffee that the plants are slightly shaded. These crops are then designated “shadow grown”, i. e.  they are grown in the shade. This produces less foliage and the berries in turn have more substance.

Afterwards the berries are stoned, the beans cleaned of slime, washed, then dried and dehusked. Then the beans are laid out and dried in the sun, sorted by size, any small stones are removed, and then the beans are stored for two to three months. Then comes the roasting, packing and despatch.

Under the pressure of world trade - which requires efficient processing and, therefore, also demands the great application of chemicals and machines - the pursuit of natural cultivation finds itself massively under pressure. On the “Rich Coast” plantations are already being abandoned due to soil exhaustion and because the sale of land for tourism is currently more economically advantageous.

However, most of us would also like to continue enjoying our daily cup of tasty coffee… From now on I will drink my breakfast coffee with more respect. On Friday I fly to Guatemala.

Happiness in Guatemala?

I have now been staying in Antigua in Guatemala for over two months, my first “stable” base in Latin America. During my entire time here I have been studying in a language school. Antigua is a place with typically colonial features and therefore also represents world cultural heritage. I like the pleasant ambience of the area, ideal to feel at home in, even if it does not represent normal, ordinary Guatemala.

The language school is attended by students of all ages, who have been saving money to take some time out so that they can learn the language in the country, be it to travel, for professional reasons or because they have an interest in the culture.

I live in the rented studio of a guest house. Since I have proactively sought contact with the local population, I no longer feel like just a tourist. In the market in Antigua or in the next village I encounter the locals and hear about their worries and joys.

My day to day life is almost as it was back at home. However, instead of being the teacher, here I am the student. Since the needs of each student are completely different, the lessons are tailored individually, i. e.  each student has a teacher. Skilled teachers have allowed me to learn a lot about the culture and the daily life of the people of Guatemala.

But I was warned: this country has its dark side, the drugs and arms trade as well as corruption are rife. Although being here as a temporary resident means that I have a degree of protection from these things, I cannot shut my eyes to them.

Guatemala has had to put up with a lot of suffering. The last century was plagued with decades of civil war, only ending with a peace treaty in 1996. There have been constant natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Even though the balanced and mild climate always provides a rich harvest, these events mean that Guatemala has become one of the poorest countries in South America.

The group that has had to put up with the greatest number of hardships are the indigenous people of the land. It needed a very strong willed and courageous woman to fight for the recognition they deserve. They found one in Rigoberta Menchu who was born in 1959. She has fought since her youth for the recognition of the native Maya as a people and for the respect of their human rights. In 1991 she won the Noble Peace Prize. After this, the world started paying attention. Yet the fight is by no means finished.

Today, the rate of unemployment lies at 35 percent and the rate of inflation is 13 percent per year. Especially affected are the indigenous peoples, who comprise 50 percent of the population. Only slowly are they gaining the right to an education and to have their voice heard.

What can be observed here is that the simple lifestyle brings not only a sense of being close to nature but can also bring with it danger. Mothers carry their children on their backs for the entire day. This gives the children a great sense of security. However, the women spend several hours cooking over a smoky fire in a single-room house, often using moist wood. The smoke from the cooking can lead to severe damage to the children’s lungs and respiratory tract, some of which can be permanent.

Daily I meet open-minded, friendly people. I observe how they interact with one another and have noticed that families rarely argue, parents barely have to scold their children and that the children are open and welcoming. Staff in companies are helpful and forthcoming.

It is especially noticeable how the indigenous women present themselves. They carry large and heavy loads on their head and on their shoulders. The decision if a child is to be educated depends mostly on the mother. I see upright women with an open look, who go about their daily business transporting their loads with certainty and self-confidence. There are certainly many more Rigobertas here!

I ask some citizens from different walks of life whether it is now possible to be happy living in Guatemala, in spite of all of the worries and dangers. I got many varying answers:

Lily, a fifty-year-old mestiza language teacher, believes that the warm, balanced climate helps to increase the levels of personal well-being. “Through their education, we try to teach children to respect their families, to treat the elderly with care and to have a charitable outlook on life.”

Marcial, a young father and family-man, also a mestizo, replies: “Good question… I enjoy the small moments of happiness that life in present times brings. The past is over, and what the future holds, I don’t know. But right now my small daughter is laughing.”

Nick, an Australian currently undertaking voluntary service has worked with all sectors of society says: “The social network is strong and is maintained. Within the Guatemalans lives a passion that manifests itself in the love of music and communal meals.”

The young vegetable seller in the market, a Maya, laughs and beats her chest when posed this question. She answers: “Because we have God inside us! We have little in terms of material goods, but we have always received what we need.”

This joy, contentment and confidence in the future is very contagious!

Warm wishes from Guatemala!

END/nna/ruz/cva

Item: 090713-02EN Date: 13 July 2009

Copyright 2009 News Network Anthroposophy Limited. All rights reserved. See: www.nna-news.org/copyright/

More NNA reports at: www.nna-news.org/en/

Learning the wrong lessons in early childhood

In Britain, the Government policy of formalising education at a much earlier age than in many other countries is a cause of growing concern among early years education specialists - a concern which was not allayed by a recommendation regarding the school starting age in a recent review of the primary curriculum commissioned by the Government. John Wadsworth, a lecturer in early years education at Goldsmiths, University of London, who set up a Downing Street petition calling on the Prime Minister “to reject unconditionally Recommendation 14 of the Primary Curriculum Review which proposes the lowering of school admission age”, explains the issues at stake.

LONDON (NNA) - On 30 April the UK secretary of state responsible for children, families and schools wrote to Sir Jim Rose, chair of the Independent Review of the Primary Curriculum, informing him that he would be accepting his recommendation that children should start school in the September following their fourth birthday.

This decision is surprising as Rose’s remit did not extend to commenting on the early years phase of education but also because there is very limited evidence to support his expressed view that this change would be advantageous to summer born children. However, there is much more at stake here than whether or not the perceived disadvantage faced by summer born pupils will be addressed by starting them in school earlier than is currently the case.

Britain currently has one of the lowest starting school ages in Western Europe with children being statutorily required to be in school from the term following their fifth birthday. In reality the majority beginning their formal education earlier than this, usually a term, or in some cases a year before they are required to.

Before they reach statutory school age, children in Britain currently have a number of options available to them. They can remain at home with their parent or carer or may be catered for in one of an increasing number of education and care settings where the curriculum framework is, theoretically at least, in tune with their all round needs. On the face of it, this may look very similar to the situation in the Nordic countries where high quality education and care is widely available, but there are some fundamental differences.

Unlike their European counterparts, under–fives in Britain are be exposed to formal learning, including reading, writing and early number work with defined goals which are to be attained by most by the age of five. By contrast children elsewhere in Europe experience a much higher focus on exploration, speaking and listening as well as developing interpersonal relationships. By the time they start school at six, the children are well placed developmentally to begin the more formal aspects of learning. While there may be other contributory factors, in general pupils in countries where formal education starts later achieve better at reading and writing than their counterparts in the UK.

Rose’s recommendation fails to recognise that it is the quality of the early educational experience of young children that counts. Elsewhere in Europe children aged up to six are educated in settings where the staff are well qualified, have generally high levels of control over the curriculum and how it is ‘delivered’. While staff working with the under-sixes in the Nordic countries have high levels of qualification (usually to degree level) the qualifications and pay of staff working with the under-fives in the UK are generally low, with the exception of local authority maintained nursery schools and classes which are staffed by teachers.

What Rose is proposing involves placing four year old children in schools and too frequently the experience is far from positive. These young children, instead of being able to experience high quality pre-school education that is in tune with their developmental needs will be placed in more formal situations where they will have little, if any control over the style and content of their learning. In terms of learning to read, write and do arithmetic, earlier does not necessarily equate to best!

By introducing these young children to formal education too early the Government is in danger of damaging the confidence and motivation of these children and teaching them the lesson that learning is not a positive experience. In addition, removing the four-year-olds from pre-school settings will deny the younger children access to the older peers who have a vital part to play in their learning and development.

Early years practitioners in England need to stand up for the rights of young children and lobby the Government to reject this aspect of Rose’s review. One way of doing this would be to join the petition at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/startingschool.

END/nna/cva

The deadline for signing up to the petition is 30 October 2009.

Item: 090713-01EN Date: 13 July 2009

Copyright 2009 News Network Anthroposophy Limited. All rights reserved. See: www.nna-news.org/copyright/

More NNA reports at: www.nna-news.org/en/