I come from a place of deep sorrow, mourning the annihilation of life in the ongoing sixth mass extinction and the devastating mess of exploitation, war, and inequalities in the world.
Humans are meant to live in community - therein lies whatever glimmer of hope, no matter how small, that we can face this somehow. Community is where we can tackle the immensity of desperation and challenge and danger. The impending famine, wars, migrations, and the billions of people displaced from scorching hot hometowns where food can no longer grow.
A tiny group of people - the only thing that has ever changed the world - is regenerating abandoned terraced land in the Alps of north-west Italy. The project started as the Quaker concern of an isolated Friend, was tested within 'Equipping for Ministry' and was eventually initiated just over two years ago. Love required that we move towards self-sufficiency in food, fibre, energy, and materials, within a radical nonviolent paradigm.
We grow food and tend to relationship ecology through Nonviolent Communication. Inspired by Sociocracy and its grounding in centuries-old Quaker business processes, we have designed and implemented dialogical systems to take decisions, share power, give and receive feedback, and transform conflicts.
Bringing an abandoned hamlet back to life is also a powerful symbol. We're going back to a lifestyle of simplicity freely chosen. This is a counter-exodus as opposed to the one driven by industrialisation, or all the brainwashing which drove people to the lowlands and cities in search of comfort, using resources taken away from the Global South and destroying the planet (and the commons) in the process.
We're enthused by the huge challenge. United in love.
Living adventurously, as if the world of our dreams were already there. Holding our brokenheartedness with full willingness and love. In pure abandonment and holy obedience to the guidance from the Spirit: feel the fear, leave it behind, do it. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. We live in the gift economy, both within the community and in all we offer to the outside world. Believing in abundance, interconnection and choice.
Marco Bertaglia