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Our foundation is a not-for-profit educational micro multinational corporation whose aim is to provide to the public practical experience in applying holistic values to corporate, public and private life in such a way as to demonstrate how living these values fosters a new social order based on nonviolence, deep democracy, true community and sustainability. The centre in Greece is carrying out these aims in its role as a living-learning summer school offering workshops, work camps, seminars, conferences, retreats and think-tanks in the field of holistic education. It is closely aligned to the values and principles of the International Ecovillage movement. This movement is concerned with economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Community:
We live with the local people in a neighbourhood just off the village square. Our programs and cultural activities create a healthy curiosity and interest among the people, which we welcome. We influence by our example and our values. We have as much positive effect on the people as we know they have on us, living together sharing and respecting the natural environment. One clear evidence of our contribution to their lives is how many of the villagers came to our aid in our negotiations for a lease agreement with our landlord. They feared that we may not be coming back and pressured the landlord to concede to our terms. In our absence they saw our contribution to their community and acted to keep us in their village.
Sometimes we invite people to dinner or evening entertainment. Other times we are invited to such by them. We prefer to keep these informal and authentic. We buy fresh vegetables and fruits from the villagers that cultivate their land and exchange flower plants with them in a mutual admiration of our vast selections. We have arranged with our next door neighbours to use their land to expand our vegetable and herbs garden or to use some of their extra rooms and other accommodations when we have an overflow.
We exchange ideas about organic farming, composting, and herb medicines (Mt. Pelion is world renown for the vast variety of proven medicinal herbs, many of which date back to ancient times). We have consulted the mayor as to the placement of street signs and other Program announcements. Local fishermen and grocers on wheels come to our door steps with fresh catch and fruits. We participate in local celebrations and holidays, going to public weddings, baptisms, and Sunday church services.
These are some of the daily ordinary ways we add to the lives and well being of the local people. Our spirit however is open and receptive to even greater opportunities to share and be responsible.
We have 'clean up patrols' of beach areas we frequent and use these occasions as 'teaching by example' for responsible stewardship of our environment.
The Kalikalos Centre recycles three categories of waste efficiently in conjunction with EU regulations in our village of Kissos, Greece. We heat our hot water via solar panels. We conserve water and water our gardens with waste grey water where possible. In due course we hope to generate a proportion of our electricity via wind power. We grow a proportion of our own food organically and offer permaculture courses to the local people.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
