Emerson Village Project Innovative solutions to world crises 1

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1 Vision and appeal Please distribute widely Emerson Village Project Innovative solutions to world crises 1. the human being must, in full consciousness, make preparations for communities into which he will enter entirely of his own free will in the sixth epoch. There hovers before us as a high ideal a form of community that will so encompass the sixth epoch of culture that civilized human beings will quite naturally meet each other as brothers and sisters. Rudolf Steiner, Preparing for the Sixth Epoch, 15 June 1915 Fumiko Chikami, John Lees, Robert Lord 24 April Alternatives include Emerson Centre for Individual and Cultural Transformation, Emerson Initiative Arena, Emerson Centre for Social Art

2 Introduction On Saturday 27March 2010 the old Emerson College was closed and the achievements of the previous 48 years were celebrated. Two weeks later the current Trustees of Emerson College resigned and the following new Trustees were appointed (Roger Barsby [Mercury Provident Pension Scheme], Fumiko Chikami, John Lees, Robert Lord [all of Emerson Village Project ]). Since then we have begun to implement the Emerson Village Project. We are also continuing to develop our plans for the future and this statement is an expression of those plans. Context for future development Emerson College, founded by Francis Edmunds and inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner, responded to the needs of the Zeitgeist in the second half of the twentieth century. It addressed the need to provide adult education for people who sought a creative spiritual path for the future in order to break the authoritarian spell of scientific materialism. 2 Scientific materialism is still in the ascendency but new conditions now prevail. There has been a significant growth of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), concerned with counterbalancing the effects of the dominant materialistic paradigm on such issues as human relations, world inequalities and the environment. So we are working towards building a vision that responds to the changed conditions of the Zeitgeist, and the ensuing needs, in the twenty-first century. It is the intention for the Emerson Village project to enter into the maelstrom of our current times and develop the anthroposophical contribution to current world problems, uniting, where possible, with other movements and NGOs which share our concerns and values. From the present malaise to the future It was clear to Rudolf Steiner during World War I that humanity was lacking in ideas and thus unable to address the problems it faced. This is still the case today. The systems which drive society have not moved beyond the thinking of that time or indeed the thinking of the Age of the Intellectual Mind Soul. Consequently we will remain locked into the abstract thinking of the past, atrophied in our feelings and paralyzed in our creative will and, in a broader sense, there will be disintegration in all areas of life with ever increasing physical and mental health problems, social conflict and war, economic instability and environmental disaster, unless we develop imaginations based on the needs of the present and the future. Emerson Village Project is a response to this situation. There is a great deal of hope. Fortunately, the problems have also created a heightened level of consciousness amongst many people throughout the world who wish to counterbalance these developments leading to the formation of many forwardlooking NGOs. So the current challenges also contain the seeds for renewal. For instance, it is our view that many young people are acutely aware of the problems facing humanity and the Emerson Village Project will provide a space where their concerns and inspirational ideas can be cultivated and developed for the benefit of the future of humanity and the world. Indeed we can all be inspired to build sustainable and healing structures for the future arising out of Imaginations from the spiritual world based on a certain intensity of spiritual life composed of ideas which grow out of reality. 3 2 Lecture given by Georg Locher, 27 March Rudolf Steiner, The Karma of Materialism Volume 2, lecture of 6 January

3 The struggle for the future of the Emerson campus was subsumed by such a crisis. For all concerned it involved establishing a balance between the limitations of the past and the possibilities of the future. For some time the situation became paralyzed by the outmoded, but powerful, structures from the past - as manifested, for instance, in our legal and bureaucratic systems. Yet, at the same time, there was as sense of the future possibilities of the Zeitgeist trying to manifest on the Campus. Such a polarity was necessary in order to create a tension out of which the new must be conceived. It was a painfully slow and harrowing process which required quietness of thought. 4 Yet we believe that this is an increasingly common experience and that humanity can only move forward out of such conditions. We need to face the abyss and deal with high levels of uncertainty before we can move on. There is no escaping this fundamental spiritual fact. Structure The structure underpinning the vision represents the outer manifestation of our response to the crises which are now beginning to beset humanity. It provides a vessel for incarnating spiritual Imagination and the possibilities of the future. The vision diagram The vision diagram which we produced for our report of 10 March provides a static and limited impression of the structure. It is an abstraction from the reality and is not, in itself, an innovative solution to world crises. 4 ibid, lecture of 1 January

4 In order to become creative, ground the vision in reality and develop it anthroposophically we need to contemplate the diagram and bring it alive inwardly. It can then become dynamic and living so that we can see its dynamic multi-faceted nature and, in particular, its inherent transformational learning and healing aspects. The metamorphosed structure has three elements: 1. It has an inherent anthroposophical quality which builds on the relationship between the spiritual and the earthly as expressed in the School of Spiritual Science. 2. It is dynamic and living, indicated by the fact that the elements which currently make up the structure are in a process of constant interaction with each other, in which the centre consists of the School of Spiritual Science and the Emerson Village Management and Trustees. 3. It includes a transformational learning and healing aspect which will manifest as the project develops over time. The diagram is still limited and abstract. The reality can be best expressed artistically. So we will continue to work on the structure in conjunction with everyone involved. 4

5 Process The structure is based on the principles of anthroposophic/goethean research: an approach to research which does not work with fixed concepts but with living processes based on polarities in order to generate life and movement and overcome the deadening tendencies of scientific materialism. It involves: - Groundedness in the local community and the land (the village principle) which breathes in and out of the spiritual and social world (a centrifugal and centripetal gesture). - An integrated but differentiated structure in which the management devolves responsibility for the various activities to stakeholders and engages in a partnership with them. - Experiential adult learning, research and the generation of knowledge in which static concepts are transformed into living knowledge as a result of working with the interconnectedness between all areas of life (domestic, educational and professional). The process of developing the vision could be described as a living action research project. In anthroposophical terms it is an attempt to raise our consciousness beyond the physical world of disconnectedness to the etheric world of connectedness. Words provide a limited description of this. Artistic imagination is necessary to develop the concept in a more accurate way. Final reflections The dynamic structure will metamorphose and change as a result of the efforts of many people. Both the form and process of the initiative is anthroposophical and, as such, it is intended to be universal; that is to say, to interact and dialogue with similar initiatives, both nationally and internationally, which are also attempting to respond to the Zeitgeist and the need for healing in the world. We are not alone. We believe that such dynamic interactions can only enhance rather than dilute our basic anthroposophical concept and vision. 5

6 Development Step one: 13March-9April This step is now complete. In order to prevent the campus from going into Administration it involved placing a total of 300,000 gifts and a further 150,000 available in loans if needed in the bank making a grand total of 450,000. The funds will meet the needs of the immediate creditors and provide working capital for the next few months. We are most grateful to all those people who entrusted this money to us enabling us on the basis of our vision in order to launch this project. Step two: 10April-31May Management 1. We are introducing a devolved business structure for Emerson College for the management and financing of the courses and including office space for businesses and eco housing. 2. In order to organize the campus we are in great need of voluntary help in regard to the office, catering, the gardens, maintenance, cleaning, the library. If you wish to help please contact us (see details at the end of this report). 3. Apply for planning permission for the future developments. Emerson College and Conference Centre The College is now recruiting for full-time courses (Storytelling, Biodynamic Agriculture and Visual Arts and Sculpture) in September 2010 and short summer courses for See website. Finance 1. In addition to the funds discussed above we have also received pledges of loans exceeding 1 million that require security. The aim is to use these funds to pay HSBC and some other minor creditors. We will then simultaneously (a) provide security (a charge ) for the Mercury Provident Pension Scheme on part of the campus, and (b) hand over the Rachel Carson Centre and the adjacent fields to the St Anthony s Trust. By the end of this process the future of the campus will be secured and the only remaining creditor will be the Pension Fund. 2. Further fund raising to begin to implement the vision and provide working capital. See details for gifts and loans at the end of this report. Step three: 31May May 2017 The management structure will be reviewed. In order to develop the vision we will engage in fund raising for the following specific projects (figures notional): Delapidations and upgrading the site: 1 million Visitor centre, bookshop and restaurant: 1.5 million Medical Centre: 1 million We also hope to be able to release the charge to the Pension Scheme by the sale of homes on the campus. We will also, during this period, begin fund raising for the following specific projects: visitor centre, bookshop and restaurant; research and conference centre; education and special needs; old people s home, investment in eco housing. 6

7 Involvement Be a man of initiative, and beware lest through hindrances of your own body, or hindrances that otherwise come in your way, you do not find the centre of your being, where is the source of your initiative. Observe that in your life all joy and sorrow, all happiness and pain will depend on finding or not finding your own individual initiative. This should stand as though written in golden letters. Rudolf Steiner, Karmic Relationships, Volume III, 4 th August 1924 Trustees and project management The new Trustees Roger Barsby, Fumiko Chikami (Secretary), John Lees (Chair), Robert Lord (Acting Principal) met for the first time on 16 April. For the time being they will be active in the management and development of the project. Emerson Initiative Arena The future of the project depends on the involvement of people from the community. So we have begun to create a space for initiative to address current needs the notion of Innovative solutions to world crises. It is concerned with initiating practical activities in the Village and addressing one, or more of the threads of the Emerson Village concept: living, working and learning. The Arena will meet monthly. The meetings will address how new proposals fit into the Village vision and basic principles, what they need in order to get started and how support can provided. The meetings will involve the possibility of networking with people who have similar ideas and forming steering groups to initiate activities. The first meeting took place on 18 April. It was attended by 49 people who offered the following forms of voluntary help and initiative taking Office: business advice, marketing and administration, IT, reception, fund raising, library, mailing lists Estates: building maintenance, energy efficiency, sustainability, gardening, bio-dynamics, cooking, engineering skills, beehive manufacture, working with wood, producing firewood Events: public lectures, Alumni conference, May fair, children s courses and events, Easter conference 2011 Arts and crafts: eurythmy, Goethean-based art, craft courses, speech and storytelling Local community: co-operation with local community The next meeting will take place on Sunday 16 May at 7.30pm in Ruskin Hall. Anyone is welcome to attend who wishes to be actively involved in developing the Emerson Village Project. 7

8 Voluntary work You can contribute to the project by offering voluntary work. If you are able to do this please send us an stating: Nature of involvement Skills and experience Availability Fund raising and eco housing group This group had its first meeting on 15 April and will meet from time to time to discuss the development of the campus for the purposes of residential accommodation and other developments. It consists of people who wish to invest in housing on the campus. Work and business scheme Businesses which share our principles can rent office space. Rudolf Steiner Press/Temple Lodge Press, Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship and the Biographical and Social Development Trust have expressed enthusiasm for being a part of this scheme. We are also keen to hear from successful manufacturing organizations that would like to set up small-scale activities on the site that would provide young people with the chance of a short-term learning opportunity. Major proposals We welcome any ideas for future sustainable activities on the site. All proposals will need to be presented under the following headings: Contact details, summary, fit with overall vision, context, objectives, beneficiaries, management strategy, business plan, requirements in terms of space, administrative back-up and facilities, risk assessment, participant CVs Please be precise regarding your requirements for space, administrative back-up and facilities required. We will then have consultations regarding your proposed initiative. For further details about any of the above initiatives, or details for making donations and loans, see end of this report. 8

9 Appeal You can immediately deposit a donation in the following account: Cultural Freedom Trust Lloyds Bank, East Grinstead, West Sussex, UK Account No: Sort Code: BIC No/Swift Code: LOYDGB21174 IBAN: GB55LOYD Reference: Emerson Rescue Fund Enquiries re Emerson Village Project Any matters relating to the Emerson Village Project including loans: Fumiko Chikami, fumikochikami@hotmail.com, 0044 (0) Robert Lord, Robert@colouradvice.com, 0044 (0) Enquiries re Emerson College: Full-time and short summer courses Full-time courses: see links to courses on Emerson College website: Short summer courses, room bookings (seminars, short courses, accommodation): info@emerson.org.uk 9