Ecotopia is a two-week activist camp and an open event for everyone interested in environmental and social justice issues. It takes place every summer since 1989, each time in a different country. It is organized by EYFA and hosted by a local grassroots environmental organizations. This year, the 19th Ecotopia will be hosted by GAIA (Grupo de Acção e Intervenção Ambiental).

Ecotopia is a place for networking, learning, exchanging experiences and spreading information about environmental, social and political issues and campaigns. Several hundred people attend each year to share skills, to discuss alternatives and to address a wide range of themes and issues like strategies for actions and campaigns, racism, xenophobia, homo- and queerphobia, creative dissent, alternative media, social centers, sustainable building and infrastructure, organic/fair trade food and farming, climate change, biological diversity, GMOs, etc.

[Migration]
Ecotopia covers a wide range of issues but each year there is a main topic. This year we look at the theme Migration. There will be a 3 days Migration Focus on the venue from 10th to 12th of August. Throughout these 3 days there is space to discuss the reality of a 'Fortress Europe', of detention camps and different kinds of repression of 'illegal' people, and to share experiences in the struggle for equal rights and global freedom of movement for all. In the setting of Ecotopia we will also look into the reasons and effects of urban-rural/rural-urban migrations and address the global increase of environmental refugees.

[Community]
Ecotopia is horizontally and self-organized. It brings an alternative and environmentally-friendly way of living and organizing into practice: DIY (do-it-yourself), consensus decision-making, waste recycling, a vegetarian/vegan organic kitchen and the usage of alternative energies as much as possible. Everyone is asked to involve themselves in decision-making processes, the daily creation of the program and the running of the camp. During the 2 weeks, participants can use Ecotopia as a platform from which to spread information in the area and to organize local actions or cleanups.

[Location]
Aljezur is a small town in the south of Portugal situated in the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park in the Algarve region. The landscape is dominated by cliffs, clear sand and dunes. It is known for its archaeological and historical richness. Once founded by Arabs in the 10th century, the Aljezur of today has a mixed population of 2700 inhabitants. Most Aljezurians make their living from traditional agriculture with sweet potato and peanut being typical products for this region.

[Alternative Economics]
Ecotopia's economics are based on the Ecorates system - an alternative economic system developed by EYFA, which is based on living standards and income of people rather than financial markets. Ecorates currency is used at Ecotopia and other meetings with the aim to create fair prices to balance the economical differences between countries. Please help us update the Ecorates by filling in the Ecorates questionnaire Thank you! For more information on ecorates see www.eyfa.org/ecorates

[Taking part]
If you plan to attend Ecotopia please register online and if you also plan to give a workshop please fill in the workshop form
If you need a visa to come to Ecotopia, please contact Salome (salome.c.ribeiro@gmail.com) till 30st of June 2007 the latest, better NOW!
If you want to apply for travel reimbursement, please fill in the registration form before 2nd of July 2007.

[Building]
Every year, before Ecotopia starts, there is a preparation pamp of 1-2 weeks on the venue for setting up the infrastructure of the camp. This year preparation camp will start on 23rd of June 2007. If you want to participate please mention this while filling in the online registration forms.

[Biketour]
The best way to come to Ecotopia has always been the Ecotopia Biketour.

Bring your projects, ideas, creativity and your tent to Ecotopia!!

Eyfa & Gaia

www.ecotopiagathering.org