Advocate • Connect September/October 2019 13
Feature
Growing
eco-conscious
communities
Ph: 07 839 4452, corner of Commerce & Kent St, FranktonGo Eco’s retail space is a social enterprise
proudly based in Frankton, supporting local
communities to achieve environmental
change through waste minimisation,
recycling and encouraging sustainable
choice in our everyday home and working
lives.Shop online or instore to support a waste
free Waikato.Be relentless in pursuit – and patient with self and
others
Good things take time, are intergenerational and built on what
others (individuals and organisations) have achieved in the past
and will in the future. Seldom do we get to see the true fruition
or impact of visionary endeavour in our lifetime. We need to be
mindful and grateful of others’ work.
I acknowledge I am part of the human mosaic and remain
steadfast and focussed on my role in making the world organic,
through my skills and talents – at home, in my garden, on our farm,
with my community and through my work in greater society. I am
privileged to work with others on a similar journey. I have work to
do to improve who I am and what I do.
It is about the ‘we’ not ‘me’
It’s crucial that we take others not like us with us on the journey.
Empathy is crucial; seeking and finding common ground essential.
We need to develop interpersonal literacy as well as biological
and ecological literacy so we can communicate honestly across
difference and ideology.
Take responsibility – go to scale
I’ve done the best with the resources available to work this process
through several organisations, in particular our national body
OANZ. One goal was – and is – to ensure the term ‘organic’ is
regulated in New Zealand with a common national standard.
Ironically however it is not a set of rules and regulations,
standards and procedures that bring a vision to fruition; these
are mere tools that help give meaning to the vision. We don’t
judge the health of a farm by the size of its tractor. Rules etc. are
human constructs and, however meaningful and crucial they are to
markets, they do little to bring about the deep change required to
realise an authentic organic eco-nation.
Focus on healing self
The premise for our vision is that we can change the system. This
is false. We cannot change the system without changing ourselves,
inside and out. Nor can we (all of us) solve the problems of today
within the same paradigm that created them. We cannot bypass our
own self to save the world. We are part of the self-healing of the
world – we are part of nature.
How do we now cope with the sudden surge in interest in
organics? For years the organic community has endured ridicule,
personal attacks and stress. One way to express the result of this
hurt is to treat each other harshly. It is not a wise strategy. We have
to learn to stop doing this to each other.
Courage to express yourself
Organic 2020 was more than a date. It was a play with visionary
clarity. I have been inspired by scores of people here and overseas
who – from this vision – dared to believe they could be part of
something that really makes a difference. We are still seeking to
make a difference, although today, the call to action is about climate
change.
The art of living is to truly be who you are, to the best of your
ability and express that at every opportunity: to do what burns,
or simmers inside – shine your light. Like being in an orchestra,
everyone has a role to play in creating something magnificent.
So, I really am keen to hear from people who were inspired by
the organic econation 2020 vision at any stage of its evolution, from
its inception through to now. Email me at [email protected]
with ‘organic econation 2020’ in the subject line, and share your
story.
Brendan Hoare is a managing director of Buy Pure New
Zealand. His involvement in organics includes holding positions
with Soil & Health (president), BioGro (director), OANZ (founder,
executive chair and CEO) and IFOAM (board member).originally published in 1999
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RUJDQLFQDWLRQ²QDWLRQDOFHOHEUDWLRQHighlights of t he Organic 2020 V ision