Rural Europe on the move English_chapt1_6 | Page 16

CHAPTER 1
6a. the ENESD logo
6b. 1st Forum Synergies’ logo
6c. Current Forum Synergies’ logo
For Philippe and Hannes, the image
and governance strategies between Hannes met at a rural conference in
of Forum Synergies, as one of these farmers, environmentalists and local Manosque, Provence. They grasped
‘ideas whose time has come’, came not entrepreneurs. that moment of synergy between their
as some abstract concept but through
a personal experience.
Was it that same day that Hannes
visions and ambitions and decided
peered from the dike of his home to launch a process that has now
island into the rough North Sea, lasted for more than 25 years. They
walking through the lavender fields reasoning how the young but strong called their new baby the ‘European
of St Michel l’Observatoire, his home ecological movement on his island Network of Experiences in Sustainable
village, dreaming about travelling and many other across Europe could Development’ (in short ENESD),
Europe. He wanted to meet people be supported by their governments, which five years later was renamed
with experience and a vision of administrations and European Forum Synergies, as a non-profit
Europe’s future. A vision that included institutions? organisation. That was in November
One day in 1994, Philippe was
local initiatives, working out the best
Maybe it was. What we know is
2000, at the turn of the Century. Now,
possible balance between nature that, at about the time that Helene’s and here at Mateja’s guesthouse in
protection, social engagement and parents decided in London to call Slovenia, we try to harvest the fruits of
experimenting with new partnership their new baby Helene, Philippe and that long journey.
“ENESD is almost impossible to pronounce...taste some of our excellent Scottish
Whisky! That will ease your tongue,” suggests Camille Dressler. She has had a
long journey to come here. She is of French origin, but lives on the Isle of Eigg in
Scotland. Have you heard of Eigg? It lies in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, south of
Skye and carries a population of 87. Camille has written a book about the history
of the island, the danger of depopulation, and the Scottish law which allowed
landowners to buy and sell a place like Eigg without asking the local population.
In 1997, we visited Eigg as a European delegation of ENESD in order to support
the islanders in their struggle to stop the place being sold to a millionaire.
“That was immensely important for us”, says Camille. “We were desperate and we
felt encouraged by you to keep going. We wanted to buy the island, bring it into
community ownership. This was a huge challenge and many expected us to fail,”
recalls Camille, “we needed all the support we could get! Your visit provided just
the encouragement needed at the time!”
7. Camille Dressler
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Read more about the history and future of the Isle of Eigg in chapter 3.