Islanders in U. K. for consultation on sustainable communities

Phil Ferraro, Nancy Willis among 35 participants at Windsor Castle in London

Phil Ferraro and Nancy Willis, an Island couple who operate the Institute for Bioregional Studies in Charlottetown, leave today for St. George’s House, Windsor Castle, in London as invited guests to an international consultation on building sustainable regional communities in today’s world.

The event will be held in the historic grounds of Windsor Castle. Gary McKeone, program director, St. George’s House, said organizers are delighted that Ferraro and Willis accepted the invitation.

“We very much look forward to welcoming them to Windsor Castle.”

Juliet Fox, Future IQ Partners, and co- coordinator of the event, said Ferraro and Wills will be among 35 participants from around the world.

“They bring extensive background into the consultation as pioneers in sustainable community development, alternative technologies and ecological approaches to food production,” said Fox.

“We will be providing commentary and critiques on developing new regional economies and finding creative ways to add value to traditional industries,” said Ferraro.

The consultation will bring together selected renowned practitioners, decision- makers and academics from Europe, North America and Australia to explore ways local people can examine creating and sustaining the future of their own communities. The consultation will lead to key regional strategies and the publication of a White Paper.

“We are honoured to be a part of it,” said Ferraro.

According to Ferraro, the most successful businesses expected to prosper in the next decade are those which emphasize collaboration with partners rather than simply competing with rivals.

He believes businesses in this new millennium need to look beyond making profit alone.

“It is well accepted among analysts that the most successful businesses will be those that also contribute to a common purpose that benefits workers, community, the region and the whole of mankind.”

Since 1995, the Institute for Bioregional Studies has been presenting challenging ideas on regional economies and local self- reliance through presentations, workshops, and volunteer community forums.

In late 2011, Ferraro started a Facebook group, ‘ Future P. E. I.,’ which has more than 600 active Island members. Their website, www.ibspei.ca, includes copies of presentations they have made on local economy, farm conservation communities, land trusts and corporate social responsibility.

The husband- and- wife team has a long history in community development, renewable energy and social enterprise. Willis was one of the original members of the New Alchemy Institute that built the Spry Point Ark. In 1991, Ferraro introduced a series of social ecology courses at UPEI, long before the university had an environmental studies program. Together, they started the institute and have run courses on permaculture, green building and eco- city planning.

Ferraro and Willis will also tour regional economic development projects throughout the Netherlands. According to the couple, there are many similarities between P. E. I. and the Netherlands in terms of weather and major industries of agriculture and tourism.

“We are looking forward to the trip and hope to bring back to Prince Edward Island examples that can help in building a vibrant regional economy, and sustainable social enterprises here at home,” said Willis.