I would like to invite you to an amazing event happening at Punta Mona, Center for Sustainable Living and Education. The event will take place January 19-21, 2007.

Please read the info posted below for details about this gathering.

Please RSVP at events@puntamona.org or call Cristian at 506-360-5159.

The Sustainable Living Gathering 2007
is a co-creative meeting of people, artists, teachers, visionaries, environmentalists, activists, producers of culture, collectives, educational institutions and all kinds of native movements- urban and rural.

The Sustainable Living Gathering is a free expression space where all participants can share their knowledge, experiences, projects, proposals and dreams, celebrating life in cooperation with each other in a beautiful natural environment.

We will focus on issues that are of general and specific interest- both locally and globally; such as ecological damage, global warming, agriculture and livestock management, national parks crisis, TLC (Free Trade Agreement~ CAFTA), united resistance, bioregionalism, eco-village design, sustainability, consensus decision making, renewable energy sources, commerce, natural medicine and traditional practices, art and culture, etc...

We wish to establish the Conscience of Conservation as basic elements of behavior, the integrated development and balance as norms to imitate nature, a local economy focusing on self-sufficiency instead of globalization or imperialism, and adopt vernacular systems not based on competitiveness but in cooperation.

Why are we gathering?

To evolve the participants into a community where physical, mental and spiritual work are combined and focus mainly on the creation of more biological reserves, bioregions, and eco-villages, to discover solutions to the real problems of the communities (natives, rural, urban) and ecosystems with ecological needs and the rescue of native species and traditions in danger of extinction.

This will be achieved through artistic and cultural activities, talks, workshops, and ceremonial practices.

How will this gathering be organized?

During the gathering, committees will be made according to the groups, artists, collectives and participant authorities. Each committee will be in charge of their work program based on the collective interests and develop a common vision.

We are working to host a co-creative open exchange of ideas.

Participation is in the best interests of us all. Help us by proposing classes, talks, or any other proposals that we can include in the activities for this event.

Please contact us immediately to include them into the general program of the event.

What kind of activities will be there?

We envision activities organized by committees and individually guided workshops.

We are open to proposals of projects and solutions to real problems and needs of different communities threatened by the neoliberal system.

There will be three main areas of activities:

1. Environmental Conservation and Permaculture/ Activism and Education 2. Health and Spirituality 3. Arts and Performances

-With community consent, we will be creating basic services based on biodynamic methods and appropriate technology.

-We will put our knowledge and ecological experiences into action.

-We seek to create ceremonial activities with love and respect to the traditional customs of every culture and region.

-Artistic and cultural performances will give flavor to this event.

-We will participate in workshops, talks, therapies and recreational activities that support integrated development (body-mind-spirit) and the collective labor.

-Together we will generate new proposals and alternatives that will bridge the gap of social, economic, cultural and environmental differences.

-We will seek to form a technical-scientific council that supports all labors of production, research, and diffusion to communities and bioregions.

-We will promote the construction of sustainable societies and propose eco-agriculture as a healthy and safe way to feed us all using indigenous and solid development models from local communities seeking bioregionalism with a fair distribution of resources (earth, water, energy).

Where is this gathering going to be?

Punta Mona- Center for Sustainability and Education- an eco-village community and permaculture farm and school based inside the Gandoca-Manzanillo national park, South Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica.

Punta Mona makes a special invitation and wishes to share their natural and human resources.

Information about principles of permaculture, eco-construction, and biodynamic process will be provided.

Punta Mona wishes to share the experience of living in a healthy respectful way, creatively and collectively. This eco-village is seeking to create and reinforce alliances and to assist in the formation of new projects and eco-communities.

One purpose of this gathering is to begin to regularly host these types of events, focusing on youth encounters, ceremony, festivals, artistic activities, and self-expression.

Due to the physical and ecological limitations of the site and to avoid a negative impact on the environment and the neighboring populations, this gathering will have limited spaces. Thus we invite to you to confirm your participation as soon as possible.

This is an invitation to all who wish to contribute for the greater good of the event by volunteering, teaching, listening, performing, healing, and Participating.

Punta Mona offers community camping, cooking, and sanitary facilities.

Is there an entrance fee?

All activities are free, although a cost of $60 is required for entrance to the gathering.

This fee will cover costs for camping facilities, food (3 meals each day), water, and all activities (workshops, classes, performances, and more).

This Encounter of Biocultural Diversity 2007 is an independent non-profit event, with no political or religious aims- the festival is made possible with the fee collected from the participants.

We welcome donations and sponsors for scholarships that can be used to grant a scholarship to representatives of indigenous and young communities of the marginalized districts of the cities.

When is the gathering?

January 19th- January 21st, 2007

How do I get there?

We will provide guided hikes into Punta Mona from Manzanillo. Guides will meet at Maxis Restaurant and depart for Punta Mona at 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM on Friday the 19th and also at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM on Saturday the 19th.

There is no cost for the guided hike. The hike will take about 1.5 hours and you will need to wear hiking boots or rubber boots, as there is often mud along the trail.

Boat rides are also available for $15 per person. The boat ride from Manzanillo to Punta Mona is about 15-20 minutes.

Another way to Punta Mona is to take a bus or taxi to the town of Gandoca and then hike in along the beach- it is an easy hike, lasting about 40 minutes. We will not provide guides from Gandoca- only from Manzanillo.

General information:

Please bring:

Musical instruments, homemade products for trade, camping equipment and sleeping materials, such as blankets and sleeping bags (no other lodging will be provided), non-disposable plate, cup, and eating utensils, biodegradable soap, flashlight or headlamp, bathing suit, spirit of cooperation and love, and respect for the natural surroundings.

You are invited to an educational community and we must remind you that our agreement with them is to avoid any behavior that may offend the local customs, such as the use of illegal drugs, guns, and nudism in public areas.

Prohibited: Guns, drugs, plastics, stereos, pets, etc?

Contact Info:

Please RSVP at

This event is being produced with the following organizations:

www.kopali.com

www.massadivo.com

a few more bits of info...

We expect most participants to arrive between 3PM and 6PM on Friday the 19th. Dinner will be served at about 6:30PM. We will hold an opening ceremony/fire on Friday night after dinner.

All classes, talks, workshops, etc will take place on Saturday the 20th; with music and other performances in the evening.

Punta Mona invites participants to enjoy this amazing space Sunday

morning- swim, see the beach, kayak, explore the gardens, etc... then we will have boats and guides available at noon to help you get back to Manzanillo.

THANKS FOR READING AND HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE, OR ANY TIME AT PUNTA MONA!

Love,

The Punta Mona Family