Localisation: Coming soon to a town near you.
Thousands of people have protested over the past few days against what is happening in our country - and about too many issues to list here. It is so important that this outcry happened.....and now what?
The theory behind the film "The Economics of Happiness " is that the current global economic system is actually at the roots of our current social, environmental, and political crises: "Economic globalisation has led to a massive expansion in the scale and power of big business and banking. It has also worsened nearly every problem we face: fundamentalism and ethnic conflict; climate chaos and species extinction; financial instability and unemployment" (from theeconomicsofhappiness.org)
But there is a hopeful solution. Helena Norberg-Hodge defines localization as "a systemic, far-reaching alternative to corporate capitalism.... .It’s simply about creating more accountable and more sustainable economies by producing what we need closer to home....at the deepest level, localization is about connection. It’s about reestablishing our sense of interdependence with others and with the natural world." (from the Economics of Happiness "study guide")
The Bellingen Shire is not new to the idea of localisation. Our radio station, 2BBB, has been around for years. We have an amazing array of local food initiatives. Localising energy, education, waste, commerce - all are topics that are getting a serious look at these days by a variety of groups and individuals.
TRANSITION BELLINGEN WANTS TO HELP TAKE THESE ACTIONS AND CONVERSATIONS FURTHER. Please come along to one of the "Economics of Happiness" workshops which will be taking place on Friday, 11 April, and Saturday, 12 April. Helena Norberg-Hodge will be our guest for the workshops, and they will include integrated discussion, experiential exercises, and a community forum that will help us all to create a clearer vision of how to move forward with the localisation of the Bellingen Shire. Email us at transitionbellingen@gmail.com to register for one of the workshops. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Events coming up:
THIS WEEK! Wed, 19 March -"Growing Cities" film and local food dinner @ No. 5 Church St. $20 for film & food. Call 6655 0155 or email cometogether@5churchstreet.comto book a place.
Friday, 28 March - Bellopy Markets 8.30-1.00 @ Anglican Church
Saturday, 29 March - Earth Hour @ Urunga Public School. 6:30-8:30 pm - film screening using only renewable energy! Go to urunga.com.au/earth-hour-night-urunga-public-school-29th-march/for more information.
Sunday, 30 March - "How to Grow Quality Veggies at Home" workshop @ Bellingen High School Community Garden. 9:00-12:30 pm. Contacthazells1@bigpond.com or 6655 0453 to register.
Sunday, 6 April - Freemarket. 2:00 pm @ Bellingen Showgrounds.
REGISTER NOW! Friday, 11 April - Economics of Happiness workshop 9:30 -4:00 @Uniting Church
REGISTER NOW! Saturday ,12 April - Economics of Happiness workshop 9:30-4:00 @Uniting Church
Friday, 18 April - Bellopy Markets 8:30-1:00 @Anglican Church