PEACE
Financial crises , climate disasters , and the hunt for the world ’ s last resources increase the danger of war . Most of us know that war and other forms of armed conflict are completely mistaken means to pursue when the goal is conflict resolution . Still , we continue to wage war . Conflict resolution through negotiation and reconciliation is necessary to turn the destructive development around .
DEVELOPMENT
The governing model of production and distribution is founded on a purely economic ideology of growth , based on a continuous quantitative increase . On the one hand , this has lead to overproduction and overconsumption , while on the other it has resulted in pollution and poverty . Quantitative growth must be replaced by qualitative improvement , paired with sustainable development and fair distribution of goods .
ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a threat to all life on earth . A new awakening is necessary to see and recognize the direction in which we are headed . This must be embedded in our consciousness and in all political action .
JONATUNET The simple standard of the buildings is perfectly suited to the ecological profile of the project . In addition to the established functions ( kitchen , dining hall , bedrooms , chapel ), we little by little now also created areas for use as conference rooms , library , exhibition rooms , workshops , auditorium / concert hall / cinema , guest rooms , studies , administration offices , etc . We have found that the layout , organization , and size of the existing buildings are well suited and can easily be adapted to harbor a center for Peace , Development , and Environment . With its large garden and three structures , it is very well suited for both large and small conferences , courses , seminars and symposiums , and also for work and study visits by individual researchers , artists , peace and environmental workers , those who seek tranquility and dialogue , and for study and contemplation .
THE ACQUISITION OF JONATUNET We will offer Jonatunet to academic institutions and NGOs . We have calculated that the operating income will cover the maintenance costs after the first years of reconstruction . We have several partners who will co-operate with us , and we are looking for more persons and organizations who also want to sow “ future seeds for a better world ”.
THE ACADEMY ’ S GOALS AND AREAS OF USAGE The Hardanger Academy has the potential to become a meeting place , a workplace , a site for learning , culture , nature , and a fertile ground for future solutions . Projects , seminars , courses , symposiums and study groups could cover NATURE and CULTURE .
For glaciologists , the Folgefonna glacier is the most accessible and most well-explored glacier , with core data from prehistory ’ s climate changes and environmental pollution . Glaciers are our time ’ s indicators of the present climate crisis .
The Hardanger Academy has a predominantly interdisciplinary , holistic profile . Natural sciences , social sciences and the humanities are intertwined . Given the importance of religion in conflicts and social development , history of religion , theology , and ecumenism should also be among the fields of interest for Jonatun . The property ’ s own chapel and Jondal church may be utilized for such purposes .
12 MAY 2018