The Eco Summer Camp
What can you expect at the Eco Summer Camp?
Lectures
The lectures are held by an international mix of experts in socioeconomics, ecology, environmental economics, politics, activism, mindfulness, fasting, ecological engineering, and logistics. You learn about actual developments and worldwide challenges concerning the ecological transition and how climate change affects our society, economy, and political system. The experts share their professional and personal experiences with you. Every class is a place for discussion: you can ask any question you have and share your opinion and thoughts with the experts and participants.
Workshops
The workshops offer an in-depth learning experience in different subjects in connection with nature and sustainability. The participants can choose to learn more about the ecosystem of a forest, eco-farms, sustainable cooking, and sustainability communication.
Community
A sense of community is key for the Eco Summer Camp. In terms of an effective transition towards more sustainability, change is achieved by the exchange of ideas and knowledge and through collaboration. The camp’s goal is to create strong bonds between the participants as well as the experts and maintain this community after the camp. The program contains different forms of interaction between the participants: we have guided reflection groups, cultural evenings, fireside talks, and possibilities to interact during free time
Being in nature
Several excursions and workshops are held in nature during the camp. The goal is to reconnect with nature. The camp takes place at the Lassalle-Haus, located outside the city of Zug, surrounded by nature and farms. In the mornings, you can enjoy a walking meditation in the forest nearby the Lassalle-Haus.
Spirituality
The aspect of spirituality and mindfulness is essential, also when it comes to transformation. You have the opportunity to experience different forms of meditation. The Lassalle-Haus is a center for spirituality, dialogue and responsibility founded by the Swiss Jesuits and has been a centre of welcome ever since, of meeting and dialogue open for every kind of worldview, religious or secular.
From wild consumption to responsible engagement. This is the slogan and goal of the Eco Summer Camp. The struggle against environmental degradation and the preservation of our planet must first and foremost become a cultural movement in which everyone assumes their own responsibility, as individuals and in cooperation with their peers; knowing, however, that any true and lasting change is only possible through a deep change in one’s own inner attitude. Thus, we are all called upon to make our personal contributions as well. The time to merely delegate our future to others is over. Only in this way can we bring about changes in the long term that will deeply transform our society from within, so that we can look to the future with confidence – for ourselves and for the generations to come.
Join Edition 2023
Edition 2023: 20th-27th of August 2023 at the Lassalle-Haus in Switzerland
After the success of the Eco Summer Camp 2021 and 2022, this year, students, young professionals, less young professionals, and seniors are expected to participate from all over the world alongside a dozen experts and scholars. With our one-week academy, young people (18-35), our future decision-makers, can exchange ideas with experts and like-minded people at eye level. Moreover, with the participation of less young generations (over 35), younger people can also tap into the wealth of experience of older ones. We believe that these fruitful encounters will contribute to advancing the ecological, social and spiritual transformation within our society, as the ecological transformation of our individual and collective living-styles can only succeed if we all see ourselves as part of a common and sole destiny.
This year, the holistic aspect of the week will be reaffirmed by increasing hands-on activities, such as sustainable cooking, gardening, and more time in nature. We want to promote the dialogue between the generations and allow a mutual learning process from each other, which is essential for the common path toward a brighter future.
Edition 2023
Experts 2023
Dr. Sabin Bieri
University of Bern, Director, Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), Head of Socio-Economic Transitions Cluster
Prof. Dr. Gaël Giraud SJ
Georgetown University (USA); Director | Environmental Justice Program; Senior researcher | CNRS
Dr. Monika Griefahn
Former Minister of the Environment of Lower Saxony and co-founder of Cradle to Cradle design
André Frei
Chairman of Sustainability, Partners Group
Seline Friedli
Responsible for Carbon conversation at Fastenaktion «Ending hunger together»
Dr. Elina Christes
Board Member of PAN Switzerland (Physicians association for nutrition; www.pan-ch.org)
Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart
Martin Föhn SJ
Dr. Thomas Nemecek
Deputy Leader of the Life Cycle Assessment Research Group; Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland; www.salca.ch
Dr. Lilla Gurtner
University of Bern; Cognitive Psychologist (Postdoctoral researcher), Centre for Development and Environment (CDE)
Dr. Eva Spehn
SCNAT (Swiss Academy of Sciences); Swiss Biodiversity Forum & IPBES-CH
Christian Felber
Book author, University lecturer, Initiator of the “Gemeinwohl-Ökonomie” (economy of the common good) www.ecogood.org
Photo: Robert Gortana
Martin Kirchner
Founder of Pioneers of Change
Maria Bliklen
Psychotherapist and Facilitator, https://maria-bliklen.de
All important information
Program
Organizers
The Eco Summer Camp has been launched by the Lassalle-Institut and is jointly organised by
- Lassalle-Institut
- Fastenaktion
- Centre for Development and Environment (CDE)
- ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Furthermore, experts will be involved from
- Georgetown University
Experts
The following Keynotes speakers will be present this year
Dr. Sabin Bieri
University of Bern
Director, Centre for Development and Environment (CDE)
Head of Socio-Economic Transitions Cluster
Prof. Dr. Gaël Giraud SJ
Georgetown University (USA)
Director | Environmental Justice Program
Senior researcher | CNRS
Dr. Monika Griefahn
Former Minister of the Environment of Lower Saxony and co-founder of Cradle to Cradle design
Dr. Lilla Gurtner
University of Bern; Cognitive Psychologist (Postdoctoral researcher), Centre for Development and Environment (CDE)
Martin Kirchner
Founder of Pioneers of Change
Dr. Thomas Nemecek
Deputy Leader of the Life Cycle Assessment Research Group; Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland; www.salca.ch
Dr. Eva Spehn
SCNAT (Swiss Academy of Sciences); Swiss Biodiversity Forum & IPBES-CH
Objective
The aim of the camp is to broaden the horizons of the participants and to strengthen an international network of young people who contribute to a true cultural change in environmental issues. The guiding principles throughout the entire week will be focusing on our consumption behaviour as individuals as well as that of our society, since we believe that transforming our consumption behaviour is one of the most important prerequisites for building an ecologically sustainable society.
All participants as well as the experts will be on campus during the whole time in order to promote personal encounters as well as personal growth, through a direct and an informal transfer of knowledge.
Through an innovative pedagogy (self-reflection, excursions, encounters, etc.) in the framework of a holistic approach (head, heart and hands), the participants have the opportunity not only to listen to outstanding speakers, but also to foster interpersonal growth through a mindful approach (e.g. eco-spirituality, meditation etc.) as well as through a practical contribution to organising the week (harvesting, cooking, cleaning etc.).
Experience shows that such a pedagogy, which not only touches the intellectual sphere, but also considers the spiritual as well as the practical dimension, is a more effective way to foster change in one’s own everyday life.
Whom are we addressing?
The camp is intended for people who are interested in widening not only their personal knowledge about ecological issues, but in experiencing a unique opportunity to enlarge their own network in meeting peers and experts from all over the world while engaging in a constructive dialogue and discourse.
The official language of the gathering is English. Applicants should have at least a B2 level in English.
Where does the Eco Summer Camp take place?
The Summer Camp will take place at the Lassalle-Haus, a unique educational institution committed to a more peaceful and just world. The Lassalle-Haus is a centre for spirituality, dialogue and responsibility founded by the Swiss Jesuits and held as a place for Zen meditation, yoga, Ignatian exercises or Christian contemplation. Although there is a spiritual dimension to the Eco Summer Camp, the program will be held in a non-confessional way open to everyone. The Lassalle-Haus is located outside the city, surrounded by nature and farms. The place invites you to leave everyday life behind and to engage with people and topics in an undisturbed manner.
Cost
The total expenses for camp participants in 2023 will range according to room choice and age from 320.- CHF (four-bed room without shower) to 1’030.- CHF (single room with shower).
Please take into consideration that there is limited room availability. Therefore, free choice of accommodation is limited. The expenses are all-inclusive and include accommodation, on-site catering, excursions, course fees as well as office supplies. In short, there are no additional costs of any kind.
Application for people from 18 to 35
We are eager to ensure a fair proportion of participants from different countries around the World, with varied personal backgrounds, and gender. Moreover, to ensure the participation of highly motivated people, a paper-based selection will follow upon registration for the “Eco Summer Camp”. For further information, please refer to the application form.
The application process is open. All applications must be submitted at the latest by May 31, 2023. All applicants will be informed no later than within fourteen days of the deadline. They will be notified whether they have been accepted, wait-listed, or unfortunately rejected.
If you are a student, there is a possibility that the Eco Summer Camp counts as part of your studies (e. g. as elective for 3 ECTS). Please clarify this with the responsible person of your home university in advance.
Application for people over 35
We are eager to ensure a fair proportion of participants from different countries around the World, with varied personal backgrounds, and gender. Moreover, to ensure the participation of highly motivated people, a paper-based selection will follow upon registration for the “Eco Summer Camp”. For further information, please refer to the application form.
The application process is open. All applications must be submitted at the latest by May 31, 2023. All applicants will be informed no later than within fourteen days of the deadline. They will be notified whether they have been accepted, wait-listed, or unfortunately rejected.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Valerio Ciriello SJ
Lassalle-Institut
Bad Schönbrunn
6313 Edlibach
Switzerland
E-Mail: ecosummercamp@lassalle-institut.org
«My heart beats for an ecological turnaround that will bring about an inner and social transformation that promises us and future generations a prosperous and bright future instead of the downfall of an entire civilisation.»
Sponsors
Former participants said…
“Belonging to the Eco Summer Camp community has made me see that our land is fragile, but it is also fertile and loved. Now I feel reconnected to responsible engagement, and whenever possible I transmit the experiences and knowledge acquired to the people around me so that what I think, say, and do go hand in hand.”
Esther, Spain
“This camp changed my perception of the world, challenged my thinking about sustainability, and expanded my circle of friends. I am truly grateful for experiencing this joy, new knowledge, culture, and friendship during this journey.”
Uuljan, Kyrgyzstan
“We are motivated to meet other people who life as a vocation the care of our common home, and to learn from them, to be inspired with them.”
Ignacio, Spain, and Valery, Kameroon
“The method(s) of ‘work that reconnects’, which we experienced here, is excellent for the mental health.”
Navahina, France
“Let’s make High Tech lower, and connect with the Earth more!”
Sophia, France
“I enjoyed the session with Sabin; I could go deeper into interconnectivity. I’m looking forward to going further, especially on solutions.”
Melina, Germany
Support us
With your donation, you give people with few resources the opportunity to participate in the camp as well as support the very existence of Eco Summer Camp.
You can donate to our crowdfunding campaign or directly on our account:
Raiffeisenbank Menzingen-Neuheim
IBAN CH08 8080 8004 2073 3072 8
SWIFT-Code: RAIFCH22XXX
“Eco Summer Camp”
Bad Schönbrunn
6313 Edlibach
Organizers and partners
