Eco Summer Camp, 20th - 27th August 2023
From wild consumption to responsible engagement. The struggle against environmental degradation and the preservation of our planet must first and foremost become a cultural movement in which everyone assumes their own responsibility, as individuals and in cooperation with their peers; knowing, however, that any true and lasting change is only possible through a profound change in one's inner attitude.
Thus, we are all called upon to make our contributions. The time to merely delegate our future to others is over. Only in this way can we bring about changes in the long term that will deeply transform our society from within so that we can look to the future with confidence - for ourselves and the generations to come.
What is our position towards the global changes that challenge us today in the economy, politics, and the environment? How can existing resources be used sustainably? What social and political solutions are we looking for, and how do we want to implement them? What changes in daily life are needed?
These are just some of the questions that are of concern to us and that we want to get to the bottom of from the 20th - 27th of August 2023 (Sunday to Sunday).
This is already the third time that the Eco Summer Camp is taking place. About 55 people (from 18-35 as well as over 35) are expected to participate from all over the World and a dozen experts and scholars will animate the participants during these days. From year to year, we have managed to increase the cultural and generational diversity of the participants as well as that of the speakers.
With our one-week academy, young people (18-35), our future decision-makers, can exchange ideas with experts and like-minded people at eye level. Moreover, with the participation of less young generations (over 35), younger people can also tap into the wealth of experience of older ones. We believe that these fruitful encounters will contribute to advancing the ecological, social and spiritual transformation within our society, as the ecological transformation of our individual and collective living-styles can only succeed if we all see ourselves as part of a common and sole destiny.
The Eco Summer Camp in 2024 will take place between August 18 and 25.
Organizers and Experts
The Eco Summer Camp has been launched by the Lassalle-Institut and is jointly organized by
Centre for Development and Environment (CDE)
ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Furthermore, experts will be involved from Georgetown University.
The following Keynotes speakers will be present this year:
Dr. Sabin Bieri
University of Bern
Director, Centre for Development and Environment (CDE)
Head of Socio-Economic Transitions Cluster
Prof. Dr. Gaël Giraud
Senior researcher | CNRS
Objective
The camp aims to broaden the participants’ horizons and strengthen an international network of young people who contribute to a true cultural change in environmental issues. The guiding principles throughout the entire week will focus on our consumption behavior as individuals and that of our society, since we believe that transforming our consumption behavior is one of the most important prerequisites for building an ecologically sustainable society.
All participants, as well as the experts, will be on campus during the whole time to promote personal encounters as well as personal growth through a direct and informal transfer of knowledge.
Through an innovative pedagogy (self-reflection, excursions, encounters, etc.) in the framework of a holistic approach (head, heart, and hands), the participants have the opportunity not only to listen to outstanding speakers but also to foster interpersonal growth through a mindful approach (e.g., eco-spirituality, meditation, etc.) as well as through a practical contribution to organizing the week (harvesting, cooking, cleaning, etc.).
Experience shows that such a pedagogy, which not only touches the intellectual sphere but also considers the spiritual and the practical dimension, is a more effective way to foster change in one’s everyday life.
Whom are we addressing?
The camp is intended for people who are interested in widening not only their personal knowledge about ecological issues, but in experiencing a unique opportunity to enlarge their own network by meeting peers and experts from all over the world while engaging in a constructive dialogue and discourse.
The official language of the gathering is English. Applicants should have at least a B2 level in English.
Where does the “Eco Summer Camp” take place?
The Summer Camp will take place at the Lassalle-Haus, a unique educational institution committed to a more peaceful and just world. The Lassalle-Haus is a center for spirituality, dialogue, and responsibility founded by the Swiss Jesuits and held as a place for Zen meditation, yoga, Ignatian exercises, or Christian contemplation. Although there is a spiritual dimension to the Eco Summer Camp, the program will be held in a non-confessional way and open to everyone. The Lassalle-Haus is located outside the city, surrounded by nature and farms. The place invites you to leave everyday life behind and engage with people and topics undisturbedly.
Costs
The total expenses for camp participants in 2023 will range according to room choice and age from 320.- CHF (four-bed room without shower) to 1’030.- CHF (single room with shower). Please take into consideration that there is limited room availability. Therefore, free choice of accommodation is limited. The expenses are all-inclusive and include accommodation, on-site catering, excursions, course fees as well as office supplies. In short, there are no additional costs of any kind.
Application process
We are eager to ensure a fair proportion of participants from different countries around the World, with varied personal backgrounds, and gender. Moreover, to ensure the participation of highly motivated people, a paper-based selection will follow upon registration for the “Eco Summer Camp”. For further information, please refer to the application form.
The application process is open. All applications must be submitted at the latest by May 31, 2023. All applicants will be informed no later than within fourteen days of the deadline. They will be notified whether they have been accepted, wait-listed, or unfortunately rejected.
If you are a student, there is a possibility that the Eco Summer Camp counts as part of your studies (e. g. as an elective for 3 ECTS). Please clarify this with the person responsible of your home university in advance.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Valerio Ciriello SJ
Lassalle-Institut
Bad Schönbrunn
6313 Edlibach
Switzerland
E-Mail: ecosummercamp@lassalle-institut.org
«My heart beats for an ecological turnaround that will bring about an inner and social transformation that promises us and future generations a prosperous and bright future instead of the downfall of an entire civilisation.»
Media
Lassalle-Haus hosts second edition of the Eco Summer Camp
From 25 August to 1 September, Lassalle-Haus, an educational center founded by the Swiss Jesuits, hosted the second edition of the ECO Summer Camp. It was an event for young adults in the context of sustainability and its global challenges.
Jesuits, 9. September 2022 by Germán Muñoz Díaz - Project Assistant, General Curia
Direktorin am Zentrum für Umwelt: «Das Wohlbefinden muss vom Konsum entkoppelt werden»
Zwei renommierte Gäste diskutierten am Samstagabend im Lassalle-Haus über nachhaltige Entwicklung.
Luzerner Zeitung vom 29. August 2022 von Nils Rogenmoser
Public participation as an effective strategy for shaping socio-ecological transformation policies.
By Gloria Nyambura Kenyatta, Dec. 2022
Eco-Camp: Reconnecting youth with the nature
Article by Valerio Ciriello SJ, published on www.jesc.eu, October 20, 2021
Eco Summer camp vereint junge klimabewusste Menschen
Artikel in der Zuger Zeitung vom 7.9.2021
Eco Summer Camp unites young adults in dialogue for ecological conversion
Article & Radio Interview on Vaticannews, 30.8.2021
Statt auf den Ego- auf den Ecotrip
Artikel in der Luzerner Zeitung vom 14.5.2021
Ecological transformation through encounter with oneself and others.
Article by Valerio Ciriello SJ, published on Jesuit European Social Centre
Registration Panel Discussion
If you have received an invitation for the Panel Discussion, please register here.
Location
The Eco Summer Camp will be held at Lassalle-Haus, Edlibach near Zug, Switzerland. Learn more about the house and its infrastructure.
Organizers and partners
Social Networks
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