From August 25th until September 1st, our 4 CIDSE supporters Esther, Louve, Sofia and Fanny participated to the Eco Summer Camp organized by our Swiss member organization Fastenaktion and our friends from Lasalle Institute. That week was filled with learnings on sustainable alternatives, new knowledge on the environmental issues, new friendships, time in nature and in the kitchen!
Our 4 supporters each had their best moment or activity that really had an impact on them. You can find below what they wanted to share with us.
For a week, we have lived with people with similar concerns and aspirations in life, however, we come from different countries, from Spain, Kenya, to Belgium and Poland, among others, which made this camp even more enriching. One of the experiences I enjoyed the most, was the cultural evening, in which we could see all that cultural diversity in the form of dances (for example the spanish Macarena or the funny polish dance), games, poems, and songs (how to forget the italians´ Volare). We had a great time and we bonded.
Another beautiful memory I take with me from this camp was the morning we went to the lake early in the morning. It was even raining! but we didn´t care, because at the end, it was about sharing a great moment with our new friends. Swimming with the swans a few meters away from you, while contemplating the enchanting swiss landscapes… just priceless!! That magical moment made me reflect, it reminded me that we have to put into practice everything we learnt in the camp about ecology and sustainable alternatives, if we want future generations to be able to have such a view as well.
– Esther
One of the most rewarding activities of the camp was the visit to the organic farm. We had the opportunity to talk to the owners, they showed us the different gardens, we fed the animals and above all they insisted on taking care of and thanking Mother Nature for everything she offers us. We must act and teach the new generations to take care of our Earth.
Human beings are part of nature, we have to coexist in the least harmful way possible in order to preserve the ecosystem in the best conditions until the end of our existence.
On the other hand, one of the many curiosities that caught our attention was the “placement” of a St. Bernard as a farm guardian, as the hawks that fly over the Swiss landscapes are chicken lovers, so this friendly dog has these birds of prey under control.
– Sofia
When I came to Switzerland for the Eco Summer Camp, I wanted to learn more about environmental issues and solutions, meet new people and enjoy the beautiful nature of this magnificent country. And for the latest, I did way more than that, I truly reconnected with nature and with myself.
On Sunday, the whole group went on a day hike while fasting and I believe this could not have happened at a better time. We already had a few days of great learnings and discussion in our backs and this time in silence and connection with nature was of great use to process all this information but also to give OURSELVES time to reconnect with our self.
In today’s society and our fast-paced life, we do not take that time and I think this is also part of the problem, part of the lack of care for our dear planet. By learning to slow down, I believe there is a great chance that we will learn to refocus our priorities on what truly matters.
– Fanny
In 2018, during a testimony by a representative of the indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil at COP24, I experienced the first major personal shift that would guide my final master’s degree in international law and inspire me to act at my own scale for more social and ecological justice. Four years later, I experienced my second big change. This time it was at the eco-camp, the seminar given by the economist Gaël Giraud on “the social ecological values a systemic approach” which touched me deeply. Gaël evokes the paradox between the urgent need for an ecological economic transition and the power of central banks in this area. There are ways to move to a sustainable economy. But with certain sacrifices. They say that money is the sinews of war, I say that money is the sinews of the climate crisis. After this seminar, I know that for a sustainable system, we need to redefine our current capitalist system and rethink the types of investments that banks support for more “green” investments. As Gaël said again, “There is no planet B”… ”
– Louve
"Change for the Planet - Care for the People" 
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