Ljubljana, June 2, 2011
The last in the series of four Danet project meetings was held on the premises of the Ljubljana Third Age University on June 2. It was dedicated to reflections on preservation of the environment and sustainable development, to decide what we can , or rather must, do in our environments to preserve nature and its wealth for future generations. The guest speaker, Ljubo Mohorič, a philosopher interested primarily in man’s relationship to nature through history, illuminated the issue from the philosophical and ethical point of view. He juxtaposed the concept of sustainable development and co-natural development, stressing the importance of environmental ethics, which requires respect for and protection of all essences in nature, not merely because of their possible economic, cognitive, aesthetic, medicinal and psychological benefits for man, but also because of the intrinsic value they possess. With the example of successful protection of the remains of high marshes within Ljubjansko Barje Regional Park, he showed how difficult it is to harmonize man’s natural economic asspirations, deriving form his drive for self-preservation, and the principles of environmental care and protection, and what price it takes to reconcile the conflicting interests.
In the second part of the meetings the participants discussed in groups what can be done with sustainable development within the ecological, economic and social spheres on the individual (moderator dr. Aleš Zupan) and on social (moderator dr. Dušabna Findeisen) levels.
In the first group the participants attempted to make an assessment of their own environmental consciousness and of the recent environmentally oriented measures introduced by local authorities. The conclusion was that Slovenia lags well behind its neighbours in waste treatment, but it is believed that the waste disposal problem will gradually be solved satisfactorily. Attention was called to the specific situation in settlements with numerous blocks of flats, where individual responsibility is difficult to pinpoint.
The participants also made a list of suggestions and practical tips on ecological use of water, energy, purchase of consumer durables and non-durables, use of chemical cleaning substances etc.
The participants called attention to several negative effects of some “green” measures introduced by local authorities. By closing the town centre for traffic , the traffic situation worsens in suburban parts of town (especially, standing traffic). The closure of the town centre for traffic also leads to residents leaving the centre, shops closing down and transportation problems (shops, health care institutions, hospitals),especially for the elderly.
The participants further discussed the effects of the increasingly severe penalty policy of the municipal and state authorities. The number of rules and regulations, stigmatization of certain behaviours, surveillance of the individual, imposing of penalties in all spheres of life in on increse. Is all this necessary and leads to a higher quality of life or does it limit and restrict freedom and liberties of the individual? The opinions were divided. However, the participants agreed that the aim of the unproportionately high penalties are not merely education of the citizen, but rather a way of collecting funds for the impoverished municipal and state Budgets.
The second group discussed sustainable development in its various aspects, economic, ecological and, especially social, to establish what should be done to contribute to a more equal inclusion all.
The participants presented examples of good practice, such as
- a community vegetable and flower garden,
- neighbours’ feasts and their effects on community life,
- the role of housing councils
- cultural events within small housing communities
- social entrepreneurship, etc
They viewed several internet films, among other a film about cultural mediators in Slovenian museums, a project conceived the Ljubljana Third Age University, which had positive effects on public attitude to education and voluntarism. The film was produced for the Yourope series on Channel ARTE . More: http://www.arte.tv/de/3851354,CmC=3851342.html
The participants established that social development project are run within the fields where solidarity is a traditional value: health, culture, transport, education, etc. They are a response to established or merely sensed needs in the environment. They require a preliminary institutional analysis and simultaneous learning as they progress. The participants realized that such projects entail learning of social relationships, the most demanding part of the task. Building of the structure and organization after conception of an idea is also a demanding job, requiring full personal commitment. Since different individuals have different and changing priorities in their lives, we have to accept and be satisfied with what and how much they can contribute.
Mia Torrens on
