One of the founding members of GEN, the International Society for Ecology and Culture (ISEC) is a non-profit organisation based in Devon, England and Berkeley, California, USA. Its primary goal is to promote critical discussion of the foundations of modern industrial society, while at the same time examining the principles necessary for the emergence of more sustainable and equitable patterns of living. ISEC is the umbrella organisation of the Ladakh Project, which for fifteen years has been undertaking a wide-ranging programme in the Himalayan region of Ladakh aimed at exploring alternatives to conventional development. ISEC PUBLICATIONS Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh "A truly unique and eye-opening film...I've never seen the total cost of development laid out so clearly...Ancient Futures is as beautiful as it is compelling." - Edward Goldsmith, founder of The Ecologist. Ladakh, in the western Himalayas, is a place of few resources and extreme climate. Yet for more than a thousand years it has been home to a thriving culture - psychologically, socially and ecologically - until 'development' came. This video is a compelling account of traditional Ladakhi culture and the lessons we can learn from its exposure to the forces of the global consumer culture. The story of Ladakh reveals the root causes of the malaise of industrial society - the root causes of environmental, social and psychological problems and offers valuable models for our own future. This award-winning film is a must for anyone interested in developing sustainable communities and is an inspirational educational tool. The video is based on the book Ancient Futures by ISEC's founder and director Helena Norberg-Hodge's and her 17 years of experience in Ladakh. The book is now available in paperback. Local Futures: Beyond the Global Economy Building on Helena Norberg-Hodge's work in Ancient Futures about Ladakh, this is a very valuable update from the International Society for Ecology and Culture. It describes the cultural devastation of globalisation in traditional cultures - the poverty and pollution caused by industrialisation and urbanisation, for example. Globalisation destroys not only traditional cultures in the Himalayas but in Central America and central Wales as well. The message is powerful - the solutions are proven. ISEC publications and information are available in Australia through Sustainable Futures. Sustainable Futures, E-mail: syzygy@squirrel.com.au |