Members of AVI Centres and Liaisons :

Austria : Sylvia Koerbler

France : Alain & Hasi Grandcolas

Germany : Friederike Werner, Wolfgang Schmidt-Reinecke, Marianne Soerensen

Italy : Marco Ferrarini

Netherlands : Mia Berden

Spain : Alfonso Galiana

Sweden : Staffan Kleiner, Eveline Preibsch

Switzerland : Jerome Bilon

U.K. : Martin Littlewood, Forrest Corkery, Angiras Auro, Dick and E.M. Batstone, Caroline Davies, Shirishbai Patel, Pat Kaye, Sian Magee,

USA : Aurotaranti Maiolini, Julian Lines, Paula Murphy

Aurovilians : AuroAngiras, AuroKripa, Durgaura, Aurovici, Sourya ;

Judith, Lisbeth, Mauna, Sauro, Barbara, Hans I, Gilles Pf.

Guests : John and Joy Mulrey, Alexis Maiolini, Greta Jensen, Sonia Dyne, Zena Daysh, Matthew Littlewood, Ian Fraser, Alexander Konieczny, Robert & Martha & Arthur Orton, Martin Ervens, Michael Kai, David Widdicombe, Beth Bilk, Michael Bonke, Stephen Morely, Pruthvish Patel, Lucy Swingler

Note takers : Julian Lines & Mauna

All participants received a folder in which the following intro (excerpt) welcomed them :

Throughout the week the weather was bright and sunny, the Pestalozzi accommodation simple and good. Each day was opened with a recording of Mother’s voice or a reading from Savitri, after which a meditation followed. In the afternoon free time was given sports, hatha yoga and/or Shen exercises out in the open.

In the evening videos were shown : a new ‘home made’ video latest developments in Auroville (Matrimandir, Solar Kitchen, Kailash project, Youth Centre, Guy on the Land issue, the new AVToday Tower..), as well as videos on Transition’s Body Awareness Classes, Mother of Pondicherry, Savitri Bhavan, and of the Light Matter event by Pierre and Anu. There was also an evening with a dance programme and another with a jazz combo, and during one afternoon we toured the historic surroundings.

The true interest, keen attention and persistent attendance of all participants was, compared with some other years, quite remarkable and resulted in an intimate energy field of close communication and sharing.

Several guest speakers honoured us with their presence at one time or the other. They were all known and related to Auroville since years, and they definitely influenced the tone and quality of our communications.

There were :

• Barbara and Michael Bonke who gave us a detailed overview of the latest developments in and around the Matrimandir. A discussion took place around its changed atmosphere about which sadness was expressed by various participants, not only youth. From the meeting, strong encouragement was given to have a more supple and welcoming access atmosphere, while Barbara invited people to come and work on site. (see further conversations taken up in the Evaluation at the end of this report.)

• Human and environmental resource development consultant, Greta Jensen, definitely brought us all into an inner probing when she asked all participants to individually define for themselves what they saw as the purpose, meaning and value of Auroville in the larger world context, and strongly enticed us to much more celebrate our achievements... A wealth of suggestions resulted from these discussions, which have been forwarded to the AV teams concerned.

• Sonia Dyne of the Sri Aurobindo Centre in Singapore repeatedly enlightened the meeting with her graceful and knowledgeable input, always coming in from a slightly different angle.

• Paula Murphy of AVI USA gave us a veritable treat by making her debut as professional ‘story teller’ one evening. It was absolutely delightful.

• Zena Daysh, founder of the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (CHEC) and a longtime friend and benefactor of Auroville was there for a brief visit and enjoyed a ‘power lunch’ with the AVI Board members during which they talked about her work with the Commonwealth countries and NGO’s at the UN.

First of all, there were our youth : AuroAngiras, AuroKripa, Durgaura, Aurovici and Sourya who surfaced in about all discussions - and intently listened as well. The outcome of their Youth Caucus is entirely written by them and is included elsewhere in this report. Furthermore, apart from Barbara’s MM presentation, we had detailed overviews on Auroville’s happenings during the last year by AuroKripa, presently member of the AV Working Committee, who amongst many other things strongly thanked AVI Germany on behalf of Auroville for their recent court case struggle and stand, and informed the participants that Sri Kireet Joshi, Auroville’s old and staunch "friend in Delhi" has now been appointed as Chairman of both the Governing Board and the International Advisory Council of the Auroville Foundation. Kripa also told us about the new and promising Kailash project, which hopes to be a first residence for youth between 12 and 21 in Auroville.

There also was Lisbeth who took the audience through all Auroville’s schools on site and in the bio-region, and Judith, who provided - along with input from Kripa and the other Aurovilians present - much appreciated, ‘leading edge’ insights on Auroville’s inner mechanism and present efforts to get a properly functioning decision making process together for Auroville, as well as an overall agreed upon Land Use Plan (or Masterplan) in order to secure the land for the township and its immediate and larger bio-region. The high quality and almost intimate openness of our communications and discussions were remarkable and proved that there was a strong awareness of all of us being Aurovilians, united in our work and love for Mother’s dream..

REPORTS FROM THE CENTRES

Dear friends,

I'm sending newspapers notes and certificates that show all my (or some) of my work here and in Brazil and Uruguay for Auroville, the letter that Marti sent to all of you when she came to Argentina , Theodora’s letter saying she is willing to help me on doing the Eternity Game here to get funds for my work on Sri Aurobindo in South America, diplomas of official and non official participation in seminars, etc talking on Auroville Curriculum when I accompanied a well known writer going to India to get a price on Gandhi , notes on magazines , etc... etc...

I hope that some help is going to happen . You have to know also that most of the people that every year go to Auroville on a visit (or to become an Aurovilian) contact me here , through the Embassy, Tourist offices specialist in India , Yoga Centers etc , and this is a job I'm doing in my time (outside job and taking care of an old Mother etc) without office or paisa ... Anyway, I'm happy, but it is getting harder and harder in this most southern part of the world on my own . There is also another little detail to sometimes think of : the language.. A few people can help (also with the emails in my friends’ offices ) because they do not speak English, I have to come and see and do ... well.., all we can do is our best.. !

Hoping you are going to have a beautiful time in my dear England. Hoping also the 2000 is going to bring us the Supramental Light we are needing so much planetarily . I'm also trying to organize a tour to AV in February, see you there then.

IN HER LOVE, Anandi

Dear Centres and Aurovilians and connected others,

I feel that in Australia which is at the remote base of the earth that people on the whole

are insular and content. They are intrigued by the concept of Auroville and pleased to know that it exists but that’s the extent of their interest. I have public exposure each weekend in two delightful markets - a cross section of the population visits these places-so I engage sundry people in an exchange about the origin of the beautiful hats that I sell. Such a discussion progresses to an explanation about Auroville itself. The tiny seeds are being sown, occasionally some return and take away brochures or borrow the tapes. I have a selection of AV Today’s inviting people to subscribe. I have presented the facts about the necessity to buy the land for Auroville - and handed out brochures to those with a spark of concern.

In the last months since my return from Auroville - there haven't been many takers. I am still here as a source of such information and very occasionally I can point the way and explain to an intrepid traveller the method of entering Auroville as a guest. At present there is a very nice young journalist who plans to revisit there in September having once stayed there in the mid seventies and write about the present day Auroville.

I continue with my conservation activities (which include standing before bulldozers and trying to save wonderful old wharves and antiquated buildings from developers,) my family duties, and the great pleasures of being a Grandmother. I hope by the next meeting I will have a more thrilling account of my activities as a contact person in Australia. By then it will be almost the time for the Olympics and I do plan to be back in Auroville or even present at the next meeting where ever that might be. I am working towards this.

Sincerely,

Jan Allen in Sydney, July 5^th 1999

This is a short report about what is happening in Austria about Auroville :

As you know I had a hard car accident 11/2 years ago and this changed a lot in my life. I spent 7 months in hospital and rehabilitation center and I am quite well again. Some aspects of my body don't work ok yet, I can't taste and smell, my right elbow is not very moveable, my ability to concentrate is still weak, and I can work only part-time. but everything will be ok in some months or years, I am patient and grateful that I feel already as fine as I do.

My attempts to create a small AVI-center in Austria were interrupted by this accident, and I am still the only liaison person here. My address is written on the AV home page and again and again I receive mails from persons interested in Auroville. I either mail them some information or send some leaflets to them. I use the German leaflets from AVI Germany and sometimes English leaflets from AV, too. Some months ago there was a report about AV in Austrian Television and I have a videotape from this report which I borrow to interested persons.

In December, Aram, who is an Aurovilian who lives now in Vienna, organized a slide show about AV close to my place, which was held by Peter Anderschitz from Germany. Besides talking to many persons I used the chance to sell the AV-calendar for 1999.

I have plans to go to AV next December and to spend the change of the millennium there. My main topic at the moment is peace, strongly influenced by the war in Kosovo, and I am looking for a spiritual way of peace-making. The topic of AV youth at the AVI-meeting interests me, too, unfortunately there won`t be a way for me to come. but who knows, sometimes things are changing faster than I can look. I trust in the flow of life, it will bring me to the right place at the right time.

Sylvia

During Sylvia’s illness a video documentary on Auroville was produced by Austria's ORF, a government supported TV company, which was aired in Austria as well as in Germany. The film was made in collaboration with Auroville outreach.

Having been back from AV in March 1998, it took Nice, the two kids and myself almost two years to settle down in a new house, closer to the university where I teach Letters and Literature, in Belo Horizonte. At home, an AV corner is under way, with a cupboard where nice materials are at disposal. Some people have already come to browse and read.

I have been to Rio de Janeiro (7 hours by bus from here) for a talk on AV during the inauguration of a center dedicated to Sri Aurobindo and Mother under the guidance of Marcelo Fortuna and the Savitri Group from Rio.

I should also add that contact with interested people from Brazil has been done mainly via e-mail and I have been selecting parts of AV-news and sending them through copy-and-paste. It is like throwing some seeds... Brazil went through some financial turmoil but things are slowly getting better. And we want to be part of this adventure of the spirit in AV.

With love from Carlos, and also from Nice, Iara and Marcos.

Report of Activities - 1998

Auroville International Canada had a vibrant year. We continue to operate with a core of 13 loyal members and, due to the "vastness of our geography", our activities were limited as follows :

• We prepare and print twice a year a newsletter sent to our members and list of "interested people". It includes news of our association, news of Auroville and any other interesting subject related to Auroville.

• We also received a record number of requests (email, written or by telephone) for information on Auroville. The web road definitely brings new potential to the diffusion of the Auroville experience.

• We also held three meetings during the year : 2 Board meetings and our Annual General Meeting attended by a great number of people (for our association) : 27 ! On August 15, we organized a celebration to commemorate Sri Aurobindo’s birthday. We presented 2 films and commented on Aurobindo’s and Mother’s contribution to our lives...

This period in the life our association brings us hope as we have received more donations this year than ever before in the past. As you will see in our annual accounting procedures, we have received the sum of 7699$ (Canadian dollars) in donations for Auroville. The donations were, as indicated, for the Auroville College Education Fund and for the Land Fund. [..] We were happy to be able to contribute again this year 150$ for Auroville International.

The Board has also taken an important decision. As we are 5 volunteers, and only one living in Aylmer, we decided to move back the association to the previous Montreal address. This should make it easier to share the workload between the volunteers who live closer to each other.

Well that’s about all ! Warm and deepfelt salutations to you all at the AV International meeting. Thanks to each and everyone of you for the wonderful work accomplished.

Antoinette on behalf of the

Board of AUROVILLE INTERNATIONAL, CANADA

Our new address as of August 1999 : Auroville International Canada, c/o Francine Mineau,

10 589 rue St-Denis, Montréal, Québec, H3L 2J4 CANADA

from July 98 to June 99

The activity of our association has taken place mainly around our premises, a shop cum exhibition hall cum office, which is open 4 days a week. Attendance is assumed on a voluntary basis by a different person, each day of the week.

The activity of this premises is known through monthly statistics which are as below :

an average of 26 telephone calls received for asking some information, an average of 20 visitors came to see us, i.e. more than one per day : they can see the photo exhibition and the video on Auroville and get all required information, only 5 letters required some information to be sent,

we had one lecture on 28.11.98 by one of our member on "from Buddhism to Sri Aurobindo" (with an attendance of 35 people) and one open day on 17.4.99 to gather all together with Croquette and his son Baba speaking on Auroville. The General Assembly has been held on 26.6.99.

Every first Thursday of the month, a lecture on Auroville is proposed to introduce Auroville. Croquette is usually the main speaker. Attendance is usually between 6 to 10 people.

The monthly sales of books, incense and some handicraft articles is hardly reaching 600 $/month. Therefore most of the cost of maintaining this local, which is roughly 1000 $/month, is covered by donations from some members, and also by weekly dance courses given by Devasmita.

On the information front, the pamphlet "Comment séjourner à Auroville" has been updated.

The French association is a legal charitable trust with 12 board members, out of which 4 members form the executive body :

chairman : Croquette, vice-chairman : Dann, general secretary : Satyakam, treasurer : Vibha

The organisation of the association is performed by a set of active members which have each a specific responsibility to assume. Presently, 20 active members are listed. They have met from time to time, roughly once a month, in the premises in order to review the work to be done.

Donations, as well as membership contributions, allow a tax deduction of 50% of the amount donated.

Donations to Auroville have totaled in 1998 the amount of 32,629 FRF, out of which 9,235 is ear-marked for Matrimandir and 14,610 FRF for land.

A present campaign for getting fund for the AV land has just been initiated through a mailing to more than 1000 people, mailing which became possible through updating of our computer system and merging several information disseminated here and there. The obtained listing has been officially declared to the French organism concerned and cannot, legally, be sent abroad.

During the year 1998, 87 persons have paid their yearly contribution of 40 USD (or more) to become a member of our association and support its activities. They received the two bulletins which were published.

Moreover, numerous parcels which were sent to Auroville have transited through our premises.

This year, 5 articles on Auroville have appeared in various papers.

In the daily "Le Monde", one of the two most read daily paper, there was one full page on Auroville. Many of us think that it is the best paper which has been published on Auroville up to now. In a surprising way, direct contact generated by this article is less than ten, but some subsequent contacts may have been originated by this article without our knowledge. Moreover, anybody consulting the Internet site in this newspaper will find an article "Auroville, 30 ans d’utopie au quotidien" ( Auroville, 30 years of utopia, lived on a day-to-day basis).

In "Le troisième millenaire", a monthly devoted to ecological activities, Croquette has published an article on Auroville, along with photos by Dominique Darr.

In the quarterly "Silence", Auroville has been part of a presentation of Eco-villages.

In "L’urbanisme" a quarterly devoted to architecture, an executive from the Institut Francais de Pondicherry has published an excellent article on Auroville.

Another article appeared in November 1998 in "Dames et dhommes" under the title "Vivre libre a Auroville" (to live in Auroville as a free man).

Each time a copy of the articles is transmitted to the Archives in Auroville.

Statistics :

Members May 1998 : 139

Members May 1999 : 155

AVToday subscribers May 1998 : 100

AVToday subscribers May 1999 : 101

Active mailing list (members and others) May 1998 : 288

Active mailing list (members and others) May 1999 : 310

Income (membership fees, donations and others)

1998 : 121.000,- DM (very small, compared with the years before, due to our non - tax exemption status in the past two years. In 1999 donations are already drastically increasing again and we will start big fundraising again).

End of 1998 final decision after two years : AV is considered as a serious project with the aim of international understanding. Actual and new testimonials from German Government, UNESCO and others.

Since May 1999 AVI Germany has an Advisory Board with prominent German personalities from Science, Cultural Life, Politics : Karlheinz Stockhausen, Composer ; Prof Joachim Berend, author ; Prof Ilse Middendorf, therapist ; Prof. Wilfried Belschner, psychologist. Other persons are in the process being asked

Starting 1998, we gathered datas of more than 120 academic works worldwide dealing with the topics of Auroville and Integral Yoga.

The AV Days are a yearly event lasting three days. 1999 more than 110 participants, amongst them extraordinary many young people aiming to work for some time in AV (see point 8).

AVI Germany changed its address and is now located in Berlin. This will open new and interesting avenues for fundraising and pr-activities.

The 4th AV Travel tour of AVI Germany carried more people than ever to India. After four years it´s an established program and can be seen as both, a quality factor in presenting AV and a good income for our organization.

We are in the process to establish three to five possibilities for young men to work for 15 months in AV. This will be part of an alternative civil service scheme instead military service in the German army.

We founded an new organisation, aiming only to raise funds for village action and development work in the AV area. This can no longer done via AVI Germany (because of fiscal reasons).

Aurovilian Dorith continues being a pied à terre for Auroville in Israel, although she has very little free time to do so.

On April 19, 1999 she writes (via snailmail) :

(In the meantime, an Israeli guest to Auroville last year, miss Michal Segev, has offered to liaise via email between Auroville and Dorith. Since Michal shows more and more interest in Auroville matters, she may work closer together with Dorith in future ?)

In Italy only two active members are trying to keep the AVI Italy liaison alive. Marco Ferrarini and Patricia Ghezzi who both had to make new life arrangements since they moved into new houses with their partners.

With the many ‘Aurobindian’ centres in Italy, every year a large meeting takes place around the April 24 Darshan day and this year would have been to 6^th time. However, while there are usually over one hundred people, this year there were only 40 participants..

This indicates strong changes in the Italian set-up and in the AVI liaison set-up as well.

The Pondy based, Italian Domani magazine, which has about 500 subscribers in Italy, will from now on have in each issue ten pages dedicated to Auroville (in previous issues only a separate inlay was inserted, carrying some news on AV). The editing office of Domani now moves from Pondicherry to Auroville, as its main editor Adriano has moved to Auromodele.

For the coming year Marco and Patty (with the help of Aurovilian Sauro) are trying to make something special for Italy, a meeting or gathering in a new framework, new formula, not traditional. They are preparing a big photo exhibition and have already 6 places where it can be shown.

Sometimes they collect money for Auroville from private people ; this year they collected 3000 Italian pounds for the land.

Report from AVI Netherlands 1998 - 1999

In the first half of 1998 a working group met bi- monthly to form a new board and to take care of AVI Netherlands current affairs. Moreover two events for July were prepared, an Open Day and a smaller meeting where Ananda Reddy from the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry would speak. During the Open Day on July 4th chaired by Harrie de Koning the new board was elected. The agenda consisted of Education in Auroville, a lecture on "Living according to inner Knowing" by Mrs. Beynens from Belgium and the opportunity to ask questions on Auroville and AVI. Fortunately, Aurovilian Nollie was in Holland, she answered, clear and solid, all questions on Auroville, and Aurovilian Ries introduced the ‘Sappadu’ (= food) programme of Village Action. Furthermore videos including the one on Body Awareness where shown. There was a book stand and time for friendly encounters. Alas, July 4th turned out to be the day of a, for Holland, most important football match for the world championship.. Well, the Dutch team won from Argentine, but at our meeting only 40 people turned up ! However they were a good audience and we got new members and new subscribers for the Dutch journal.

On July 26th a small group met in Eindhoven to attend two lectures of Ananda Reddy. In the morning he spoke on Integral Yoga, and in the afternoon on Savitri. Deepshika, Ananda’s wife, who has a beautiful voice, opened and closed the day with the singing of traditional Indian songs and mantra’s. There was a serene and inspiring atmosphere.

In the past year the growing effect of tv, radio and website was noticeable in the increasing demand for information. The media and tourism reach out to circles of Dutch society which before had never heard of Auroville. The requested information was given by Surya.

Visitors to Auroville, touched by conditions of living in the villages, upon returning home sometimes start collecting money for certain projects. There were two cases : one for the children at Isaiambalam School and one for Sappadu, a project for old and destitute villagers.

In Holland there is a the growing interest for the spiritual aspects of Auroville. This falls in line with the increased interest in spirituality and religion. Also the books of George van Vreckhem written in Dutch have played a role in it.

In the last few years the sum of gifts for Auroville shows a declining tendency. This is partly due to the increased visits to Auroville where donations are handed over personally. The total amount of gifts in 1998 was Dfl 25.800,-- appr. $ 12.000.

Auroville’s action for landpurchase unfortunately coincided with the Kosovo war. The letters arrived in the very week when an TV national action for Kosovo was launched. (The proceeds were more then Dfl 80.000.000.) For landpurchase Dfl 9.000 were received. The donations came with a few exceptions from our own members and friends in Holland and Belgium, an interesting fact.

An important activity in 1999 was an inquiry held by the board to receive information about the interests and opinions of AVI’s members and associates. To 330 addresses a questionnaire was sent. 65 (20%) were returned. Here follows the number of positive answers on questions regarding activities :

An Open Day 42, a meditation group 21, meetings / weekend on Integral Yoga 20, on Savitri 12, various items regarding Auroville 46, meetings with foreign centres 16, host families for Auroville youth 2, Other activities 5.

The Dutch Journal received many suggestions on the content. Moreover 13 persons enrolled as new members and 15 as subscribers for the Dutch Journal, 5 offered to translate English articles and 4 offered help, 4 enrolled as subscribers for Auroville Today.

Concluding we can say that the response was quite satisfactory. The board is going to work out the wishes and proposals in the coming year.

Report July 98 - May 99

This has been a quiet year for the Association in Spain. There have been no big changes and the work has continued at normal pace. The activities of information and contacts with the people interested have taken place along the year. These are the most important points to share with the rest of the AVI groups :

Sub-centre : With the incorporation of a new active member, Alfonso, who resides in Catalonia, the Association has created a sub-centre in that area of Spain where a different language is spoken : 'Catalan'. Two talks were given there, one about Auroville and the other one about Sri Aurobindo, the Mother, and the adventure of the consciousness and the divine materialism. Both very well attended and received.

Visit to Auroville : Another important fact this year was the visit to Auroville of the two members in charge of the Association in Pamplona, Kitxu and Yolanda, with their little boy Izan. They could follow up with the AV Health Centre the projects to be presented in Spain. During this visit also, Kitxu offered his work and expertise for the meditation chambers that surround Matrimandir. He did a special technique of painting in violet colour in the chamber dedicated to the 'generosity'.

Projects : 3 projects for a total of Rs. 33 lakhs have been presented by AVI Spain to the Government of Navarra. The project holder is the AV Health Centre and they are related to health in the surrounding villages. Hopefully, by the time of the AVI meeting we will have received already an answer from the government.

Publications : A leaflet which was prepared by AVI France with practical information for visitors and future residents has been translated and printed.

We are studying the possibility to translate to Spanish and to publish the book by George Vreckhem 'Beyond Man'.

Contacts with other NGO´s : The Association in Spain is part of a large umbrella organisation of NGOs with seat in Pamplona. They hold meetings to get to know each other, discuss about problems and possibilities and keep all their members updated with the legal situation, grants and other useful information for the NGOs.

Contacts with the Indian Embassy in Madrid : Since it had come to our knowledge that the embassy of India was criticising Auroville and giving misinformation about it, we requested from Mauna a clarification from the Secretary of the AV Foundation. This was sent and we are still waiting for the confirmation of the reception by the embassy.

Administration : A new computer system has been purchased this year for the association in order to be able to manage data and improve our administrative system.

Expo in Stockholm where Auroville was one part of. Started September 1998 and will run through 2000. We had an info meeting at the Expo in September 21st. We show slides and gave information about Auroville. Out of this Expo it has come out few requests about Auroville.

Our AVI Sweden´s board member Ulf has taken leave for a certain time. Eveline has taken over his work. Her address is presently the new address for AVI Sweden : Rorlaggarvagen 53, S -16833 Bromma, Sweden. Staffan runs the AVI Sweden´s e-mail <staffan.kleiner@swipnet.se>

We are planning for another information " tour " this autumn in Stockholm.

1 family and another 15 individuals contacted us for information about Auroville during this year. Some students who wanted material for their work at school contacted us by email.

Our focus is still donations for Village Action. During this year we have donated 2.200 US $.

It is difficult to get feedback - how their experience came out - from individuals that we have guided before leaving for Auroville.

We are focused on how to get the energy going in our small AVI Sweden....

We believe in the possibility for the AVI centres to help Auroville to experience itself from outside.

The topic of Matrimandir - and how some visitors have been treated by the guards is something of our deep concern. Many day visitors guard a deep memory of their visit to Auroville and Matrimandir is an important part of it. Perhaps some kind of evaluation from visitors is needed.

Our center is very small in numbers - and we are thinking of HOW we can make it grow and get NEW ENERGY GOING ...

Staffan

Summer 1998 – Summer 1999

It is difficult to speak of real activities. Because to my subjective personal opinion, our group is not so focused on outside activities yet, but mostly in a feeling to create real relation between people based on our aspirations.Being a place to share some lights and insights together, just be and let think be done. Our group is small in the number of people but very intense in the relationships that was built between us.This year was a year of challenge for the so young group because most of the person are no more in Switzerland or working too much to be involved in any real activities.In spite of this, I have the strong feeling that Auroville exists somewhere in our Swiss hearts and I believe firstly this is the most important point at all.We had great sharing and insights with George and Maya Lavrelashvili, our Georgian friends. They had to leave Switzerland because of work and visa. It was a real pity for the group because they are such great persons and their children are delightful. They have been an example and a support for me that it is still possible today to educate children correctly without imprisoning them in our own views. Thanks a lot for that, Maya and George.Another very important departure is the one of the "founder" of AVI Switzerland, Fabienne Feldmann. She left our country to live in Auroville with her two daughters. But Auroville still exist in Switzerland. I have new contact with Odette Brack. She has been living in the Aurobindo's ashram for 10 years in the 70's. The contact is still very young (I met her only once) and new but I have again the feeling that this contact is aligned with the purpose of our group : being a place where people can share and express their aspirations. We are not so focus yet on any out activities. But things can change in the future, of course.Odette is now the point of contact for us in Switzerland. Her e-mail address is edelwais@bluewin.ch.Jérôme Bilon

Summary Report, 1999

The work of the UK organisation is divided into a number of areas :

AVI UK invites anyone interested in its work, and in the work of Auroville, to become a member of the organisation. There is a sliding scale of subscriptions, such that members can contribute according to their own wishes. We presently have some 150 members receiving our newsletter, of whom about 35 receive Auroville Today.

AVI UK provides information about Auroville and gives help and advice for those wishing to visit or to live there permanently. We provide assistance regarding guest facilities, working in the community, visas, traveling arrangements, joining the community and about the work of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. We carry a range of information leaflets, brochures, and videos and can obtain detailed information on most projects and activities in Auroville.

AVI UK publishes a newsletter for its members twice a year, giving up to date information about various activities and projects in Auroville, particularly those which we are presently supporting. We also give information about activities in the UK, such as meetings and lectures.

Members of AVI UK are often invited to give lectures by universities and organisations having similar interests.

AVI UK helps to provide a link between members of the community of Auroville and the UK. We are in close contact with Auroville by means of letter, fax and E mail. We provide assistance with obtaining information and materials from the UK, liaising with UK companies and organisations, on behalf of Auroville, and providing expertise where this is not available from within the community.

AVI UK holds two general meetings held each year and more regular committee meetings. The general meetings are announced in the newsletter and we invite anyone interested in Auroville to attend. Often at these events we have the chance to see the latest video from Auroville, or slides taken by one of our members during a recent visit.

AVI UK supports development projects in the Auroville bioregion. Projects are implemented, in partnership with Auroville, in cooperation with the residents of the many villages of the bioregion who are also the primary beneficiaries and stakeholders.

The organisation applies for funds from funding agencies such as the EC, National Lotteries and private trusts, for work being carried out in the Auroville bioregion. We have the services of a consultant, Greta Jensen, who assists in putting projects together and following up the applications with the funding agencies. We are also fortunate that around two years ago, one of our members agreed to fund the part time payment for Martin, our Secretary, to co-ordinate this work. This funding is now continuing from income from project work.

Donations are also received from individuals and organisations which are used to support a number of projects in Auroville. Being a registered charity gives us the benefit of being able to recover tax from donations made by UK taxpayers. Individuals may make designated donations.

AVI UK has been asked by Auroville to manage a fund donated by an Aurovilian, Ulli, generated by the sale of shares (formerly from Shuttletech in Pondicherry). This fund has been donated to AVI UK who approves projects selected by the Gateway team in Auroville, in the areas of Education, Community Development and Communication, and channels the funds to Auroville as required by the projects. It is also expected that the fund will be used to co-fund village education projects developed by AVI UK and submitted to funding agencies such as the EC or the National Lotteries.

Caroline Davies - Chairman, Forrest Corkery - Hon Treasurer, Martin Littlewood - Hon Secretary,

Shirishbhai Patel - Trustee, Pat Kaye - Trustee, Dick Batstone, Trustee, David Widdicombe - Trustee,

Michael Tait - Trustee (Auroville).

AVI-USA is expanding its activities weekly. One of the main objectives in the coming months is to help organize Guy's visit in the US. At this time, June has offered to be at Guy's disposal for his time in California during August and September this year. There are a number of activities planned and developing in concord with members of the Auroville and Ashram community here in the Bay area and around the country.

Rod Hemsell has been hired by AVI-USA from 3-99 to 9-99 to work on the following projects under the name of Auroville International Outreach : The Evolve Newsletter, setting up and layout of Auroville brochures for general information and fundraising as well as developing a study abroad program for students wishing to study in Auroville. He also wishes to develop contacts and fundraise with individuals and other sources It is the intention that at the end of these six months, the position he is developing may sustain itself financially so that it may continue in the future.

The East Coast branch of AVI-USA, the Auroville Information Office, is coordinated by Julian Lines. He distributes books and videos (including dubbing from PAL to NTSC) related to Auroville including "Auroville Adventure", the new CD ROM "Auroville Interactive" (which was produced in Canada with our help), and the new book "The Religious, The Spiritual, and The Secular : Auroville and Secular India" by Prof. Robert N. Minor. Julian runs a retail shop, Pondicherry, in Woodstock, NY and sells Auroville handicrafts and displays books and literature for anyone interested.

AVInfo publishes "Auroville Update" as a list of new titles and articles about Auroville. In the past year, we have worked closely with Georges Van Vrekhem to find a publisher for the US edition of "Beyond the Human Species", with Bhavana to help channel a substantial grant for Village Action, and had an article in the Tibet House Newsletter on Claude's efforts with the Pavilion of Tibetan Culture. Julian is currently trying to Collaborate with Tibet House and Woodstock Percussion on a "Chimes of Tibet" and create opportunities for Guy and Shivaya to meet people in the metropolitan NY area.

In the past year we have met with Joel Kovel (Green Party candidate for Senate from NY), Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawk (actors), Natalie Merchant (singer/songwriter) and Robert Mueller (former Under Secretary-General of the UN) to present information on Auroville.

There are a number of projects that still need to be researched and others that are being worked upon such as :

Donating land in the United States for Auroville in the name of AVI-USA (needs feedback and research).

Setting up AVI-USA as a financially independent center (needs feedback and research).

The setting up of a Hospitality List for those Aurovilians traveling through the United States and possibly expanding the list globally (will begin after AVI meeting in UK).

Developing a link between the University of California Education Abroad Programs "International Programs - India" so that Auroville International Outreach may be involved in coordinating such educational programs in Auroville (in progress).

Fundraising through a Telethon, the Evolve newsletter and individual/group initiatives.

Ongoing tasks : responding to calls/e-mail/mail, depositing and sending checks, fundraising, master and contribution list updates.

YOUTH TOPICS

Angiras reported on the AV2000 event with the theme "Auroville is our purpose", which is to take place in Auroville at the end of the current and the beginning of the next millennium..

Youth who leave AV, should stay involved and renew their commitment. Out of 250 names, 100 are contactable and out of these some 70 may participate. Of course the AV youth will participate as well, and events for youth in the bio-region are included. It is hoped that this will begin a shift of focus where the community integrates more. Games, Christmas Fair and Play, and evening entertainment. Johnny suggested the returning youth bring back something to show about their own work abroad. Some 10 people cannot afford the journey, so donations should come through the AVI Centres.

The teenagers in AV itself don’t know the older kids who have been out studying, so the preparations within AV for this event are not much of a reality in their consciousness. The original idea was to actually get together and build something in/for the AV Youth Centre itself.. As with most things in Auroville, the energy will come as the time comes near and it will all work out fine.

As focus for discussion in smaller groups, the following points came forth from young & old in the meeting and groups were arranging themselves as per their interest for one particular of them. It was observed that in each group a youth was available :

1. How to put the child in the Centre of the community - the Dream ?
2. Youth Today in general, in AV and around the world..
3. How to motivate/empower the AV youth ?
4. Sharing personal experiences of growing up..
5. Living in Auroville : a burden or opportunity ?

• Youth embodies spirit of times, don’t carry burden of the past.

• Find out key people to find out what youth really wants. Youth should have control over all the budgets pertaining to youth. Who controls money has greatest power..

• Young people should participate in decision making. Let them work once a week in different section. Have a careers officer.

• Let them teach to different schools.

• Empowerment from within : is there any development in AV for building up their inner resources and strength ?

• Job opportunities have changed very much, difficulties for normal career, new ways have to be found, new values to be found.

• There is a consumer type of youth, falls into old habits of consuming drugs, right wing groups.. Society defines problems, we are reflection of that society. People can’t project problems on society anymore, have to find solution in themselves.

• Communication between generations has to improve, finding new ways, is a real skill, find people to train in this.

• In western society no real initiations into adult world take place, in Auroville neither.. Good to find new ways of initiation, smooth way of responsibility. Find ways to get kids into contact with their own dharma, places for kids to be on their own.

• Discipline… especially in AV…, young kids are left free, so that at an older age they have no self-discipline, have never learned it.. Discipline should be installed at younger age : parental attention is important. Split between home and school situation should be bridged, parents to be more involved in what goes on in schools (cf Steiner schools, where parents are socialising and working in school context).

• In AV there is still some anti-authorisation approach of the sixties, new balance of authority and freedom should be found.

• Real space for youth to create their own projects, but in structured situation. Shouldn’t be bored, with nothing real to do.. (leads to drugs or criminality).

• "Children don’t inherit the land from us, but we borrow the land from them". Society in AV is always moving, in flux, no fixed rules and regulation, parents always changing, economically not settled or secure.. That’s why AV kids have more difficulty in orienting in finding their way, or to revolt..

• Culture and norms are a mixture in AV, difficult to get orientation.

• Young people need good education to find personal power and place in society, to make yourself useful to community. Education gives power to express, to think, to take a stand, to have self-esteem.., leading to empowerment. AV schools have to put more energy into that.

• Maybe they can develop more of an inner world, by self centering, Sri Aurobindo’s and Mother’s teaching gives you power to make roots somewhere.. This should be most important thing to be developed, certainly in Auroville ! Body awareness classes help, but more improvement is needed.

• Kids to be economically independent of parents.. In the west you get a job, start living your own life. In AV this point of ‘adultness’ isn’t there.

• Empowerment as the right to be involved. Adults to create spaces for kids to move in.

• Older generations had this zeal and zest, we have to pass it on and make space.. In field of work, but also on the land, giving the youth places for new communities, and at decision making level as well..

• AV kids are having a problem, with their parents who are half in spirituality, half not. Kinds are told that mental education not important, but they need a paper from abroad.. !

• Parents do have high ideals, but follow the old system. There is system in AV to guide kids there... Particularly in financial matters they are absolutely not trained.

• Kids are free, on horse to school, lots of opportunities.

It’s an opportunity AND burden to live in the pressure of AV. Pressure is a burden, pressure to grow. That people can see Kireet’s kick as what we need, gives optimism.

Relation of AV youth to outside world needs to be widened, to have wider circle, to allow young people from the outside take part in the AV experiment/

It’s neither nor both.. we have to communicate : youth should be empowered to speak out and ask the obvious questions.., questions that the adults don’t want to run the risk to express... Youth should dare to have that role, to be in power places (MM for instance) and express how they see it.

We don’t want the burden of ‘Mother said’, but we all should be examples, of what this teaching of Sri Aurobindo and Mother really means..

Solidarity in AV is a real strength. Youth should just BE and make their own future, create their own future…

MAIN DECISIONS, SUGGESTIONS, AGREEMENTS MADE :

• Since two years have expired, new AVI Board members needed to be chosen. As Mia resigned as chairperson and Mauna as international secretary (both duly acknowledged and thanked..) , the following people were nominated :

Chair : Wolfgang (AVI Germany)

Vice Chair : Julian (AVI USA)

Secretary : Martin (AVI U.K.)

Treasurer : Alain Grandcolas

Int. Secretary : Tine

• As per the Statutes, Tine’s nomination is subject to approval from the Working Committee (which has been gladly given).

• As members at large were chosen : Alfonso (AVI Spain), Angiras (AI U.K.), AuroTaranti (AVI USA), Eveline (AVI Sweden), Friederike (AVI Germany), Larry (AVI USA), Mia (AVI Netherlands).

• According to its Statutes, the Board can co-opt two extra members (clause 8.5). This enabled Mauna to stay on, to which she agreed.

• This means that the AVI Board presently consists of : Alain G, Alfonso, Angiras, AuroTaranti, Eveline, Friederike, Julian, Larry, Martin, Mauna, Mia, Tine, Wolfgang.

• Please note : each Centre can bring out only ONE vote regardless of how many board members they are..

• It was suggested that in future the list of nominees be posted the day before the actual nomination is to take place, and this was agreed upon.

Alain Grandcolas :

• Centres have paid their appropriate contribution : major Centres’ dues are $382 (UK, USA, Germany, Netherlands, France) ; growing Centres’ $190 (Sweden) and $150 (Canada), budding Centres $38 (Spain).

• For the coming year the same contributions of dues are kept, but in Euros rather than dollars to save on banking charges.

• These dues are for administrative expenses only, and for support to smaller Centres. About half of the yearly contributions are used by the AVI international secretary in Auroville for catering to the smaller liaisons as well as for the ticket for the AVI secretary to attend the AVI meeting abroad. It needs to be mentioned that Auroville is paying around Rs 150,000 for maintenance and current expenditure of the international secretary, a significant contribution which is seen as is a form of giving and support from Auroville to the Centres and appreciated as such.

• Financial overview of AVI expenditure in Auroville during 98-99 has been provided by Mauna.

• It was decided to support Anandi, the AVI liaison in Argentina, with $ 600/- for a p.c. which she has been requesting for quite some time.

• Looking at the yin & yang, give & take of things, the Board has decided that even the smaller Liaisons should give at least a minimum contribution of $20 towards the AVI Common Pot in order to comply with the Statutes regarding their legal standing within the AVI Association. The Liaisons present at the meeting fully agreed with this, others will be approached by Mauna.

AVI continues its efforts of obtaining an NGO status for its Association so as to get Auroville known in a much wider, global context. Update was given on the approach via the UN Department in NY where Julian will follow this up.

An interesting development is that Advisory Boards consisting of eminent citizens of the respective Centre countries are sought for, supporting the individual Centres in their countries as well as to help stress the internationality of Auroville and make it be known in a more global network. Initiative was taken by AVI Germany, who recently inaugurated their AVI Germany Advisory Board.

A letter to all members of the International Advisory Council of the AV Foundation with CC to the Secretary and WC, was sent expressing the Board’s appreciation for their support in all of the above :

• Lists of academic research and other studies regarding Auroville’s activities or philosophies could be compiled and made public. Germany is doing this already, could other Centres do the same and have it all combined, and published ? Put on website and such ?

• In Auroville there is an impression that there is not sufficient contact with the different missions and embassies abroad, perhaps more personal contact could be establised ? Recently an official, diplomatic package has been sent to the Embassies by the Secretary of AV Foundation, centres could perhaps follow up on this ?

• It is a current trend for youth in the west to take one year free before going to university and spend it in Auroville. Please, advise them to be there at least for the full year, not for three months.

• AVI USA is organising a ‘hospitality’ list of people willing to host AVians when they are abroad for some time. If this would be followed up by other Centres, a global network might emerge..

• For efficiency sake, Centres are asked to continue sending their cheques to the AVI desk, Bharat Nivas, 605101 Auroville, T.N. India - attention Tine Zimm. Tine will see to it that the cheque gets to AVFund, inform the recipients and will send you the receipt for the same.

• Four large panels, each depicting one verse of the Auroville Charter, with simple text and images, are available with AVI Germany (<wjsavid@aol.com>.)for the use of the Centres/Liaisons in Europe. They have been designed by architect Anupama and were printed at AV Press (and laminated in Chennai). They are ideal as background for lectures, exhibitions etc. A similar set is presently being used by Guy in USA and will be left there.

• Martin Littlewood has found a way to print AVI logo stickers and is willing to help those (smaller) Centres who do not have printed logo letterhead and envelopes, but even so would like to use the AVI logo. (Contact

<aviuk@compuserve.com>) Please, remember that the use of a common logo is one of the requirements for

possible NGO accreditation. If your newsletter is in black and white only, please use the logo in black and white..

• Some Centres are thinking about starting organised tours to Auroville and environment. You can get detailed information from Joster in Auroville <joster@auroville.org.in> and/or Wolfgang in Berlin <wjsavid@aol.com>.

• A dummy was shown of Ireno’s Auroville Calendar, with the ‘mandala’ pattern as found in daily life as its theme. Rs 125/- hanging, Rs 150 standing/-, they still have to be printed. Contact <mauna@auroville.org.in>.

• Jocelyn of Ravena produced a "Petals of Time" calendar with Gods and Goddesses in traditional Thanjavur style. $ 12.50 for up to 10 calendars, $ 10 for 11 to 100. Ravena has turned into a traditional art school, profits will go to the AV Maintenance Fund. The calendars are in the process of being printed and can be ordered from Jocelyn itself from beginning of August onwards . Contact <jocelyn@auroville.org.in>.

• Aurovilians Assumpta, Rika, Suzie and Pala have started an ARTS movement, in order to build up the library of cultural videos in Auroville : operas, ballets, theatre performances, concerts, exhibitions and museum tours, as well as interviews with or documentaries on people in these areas or other great personalities who have influenced the arts throughout history. In the past there was a good friend of Auroville steadily supplying us with some new input, but this support has now fallen away. It would be greatly appreciated of some people in some centres would be willing to take up this role. Lists of what is already available and other info can be obtained from <arts@auroville.org.in>.

• Jossy of Transition School has re-started the World Game, otherwise known as the sand-box game in which children create three dimensional stories of their own, using objects they choose. This has proved to be very helpful in cases of various mental or emotional blocks, and people coming from abroad are asked to bring perhaps small, simple but interesting items to be used in this game. You can get in touch with Jossy about this via <jyotis@auroville.org.in>.

• The Auroville Archives always request the Centres to send them copies of articles in magazines and other info that can help them build up solid documentation of Auroville’s emergence into the world. There is a tremendous lack of collaboration in this, kindly oblige ?

• Saraswati Freestore reminds you that outdated and discarded mechanical devices and home appliances will always find a way to be used in Auroville. Contact <olivier@auroville.org.in>.

• Aurovilian Ireno Guerci’s photo book "Auroville, A Dream" has just come out. It is a 144 page book in 4 languages (English - French - German - Italian), with 111 photographs taken by Ireno during the last 8 years. With the introduction by Alan and a poem by Roger - the book is printed in duotone on imported art paper. Its size is 29 x 23 cms, or 11.5 x 9.1 inches and it weighs just over one kilo. Price $ 30/- plus $ 10 packing and airmail mailing charges. Contact <csr@auroville.org.in>.

• From half September ’99 onwards : please contact Tine (<tine@auroville.org.in>) for all requests, orders, cheques etc. For now the AVI Secretariat address will remain Bharat Nivas, 605101, Auroville, India - but this may change, and you will be duly informed.
• For follow-up on fundraising, public relation, AV outreach, liaising with AV Foundation and suggestions for Auroville Website, please contact <mauna@auroville.org.in>.

• In order to be optimally instrumental for AV, AVI needs to become a documented organisation, with year reports, mentioning of donor agencies, number of data base, evidence of the impact AV makes on how many people, how many conferences are being held in AV, how many businesses are expected to emerge, what change in economy AV brought to its bio-region etc.

• THE AUROVILLE PROCESS NEEDS TO BE DOCUMENTED… Could the WC follow up on this.. ? Could Centres use copy of consolidated balance sheets for this purpose ? AV Year Reports ?

• Does Auroville have a public relation officer ?

• Auroville has a lot of unused potential.., it is a training ground for a new way of approaching land.. AV doesn’t want to be an ecological reserve, it wants to be a city. AV should go out in the open about this, should talk about this.. Now it’s lost potential.

• If Auroville wants young dynamic people to come, it should project a young and dynamic image !

• It was re-iterated that the AVI centres are generally interested to help Auroville kids to go out and have a study or work experience in the West.

• We need a practical set-up facility with Auroville for exchange programmes for youth.

• The info that’s being sent out for fundraising purposes is seen as not sufficiently good to evoke donations. It doesn’t answer some pertinent questions about "why we want to take the land away from so many villages".

• Could Auroville concoct a good and together slide presentation on all Auroville’s aspects and have it regularly updated ? This would not only be an excellent tool for the Centres to work with, but also for Aurovilians going out in ambassadorial roles ?

• Presenting the ‘phenomenon’ of Matrimandir is as important as its technical aspects..

• How to encourage to found more centres ? Could we establish centres in different Indian states ? In other countries ? Can a package of information and ideas be published on how to set up an AVI liaison office ? The same can be given out via website, email and so on ? People might be hesitant because of legal involvement which is, in the beginning stages, not necessary at all.. It’s becoming part of the family, you’re invited. It should be put it forward like this, later one they can become registered centre.

• A poster and/or letter inviting people regarding the above could be posted in AV’s guesthouses, on the website, with a contact (e)address given. Or a leaflet suggesting the same.. Perhaps Tine could start out with this ?

• As most Centres experience problems with getting their current addresses timely updated on the Auroville Website, it was suggested that an ‘own’ AVI website would be formed.

• Considering that AVI’s primary role is outreach & fund raising , presenting face to other NGO’s and given Germany’s recent court case experience, this website would have to give mainly info on Auroville’s secular activities : display all the positive info about accomplishments, and not a lot of symbols, pictures, hocus pocus.. Keep it pragmatic.

• Text of the AVI leaflet is good example of cool presentation.

• Each Centre would have its own section on the AVI website, or, on the AVI section of the Auroville website.. For instance : the AVI German home page would be in German, displays the German press list, German newsletter, the organisation of AVI Germany, how to become a member of that organisation etc. Keep it simple.

• All centres could have identical format : same sort of colour, bullets, headers etc. The AVI website would have different sections , guest info, academic exchange, reports of past conferences and announcement of future ones, traveling info for family, for backpackers and so on. There would be quantitative info on what AV has done so far. There could be a timeline unscrolling, starting with Banyan, date, Urn, date, little historical snippets on the way, along the line.., all the way up to now, and feats added as Time Goes By..

• Website is to be an important point of contact, all addresses, data, phone, info resources, academic documents, info about AVI’s, reporting, updating, linking up with some sort of commerce, handicraft centres, CD Rom, translation services etc.

• Names brought forward : Sian (U.K.) who was present in the meeting and enlightened us all by her professional and efficient updating on these matters, Scarabee (France) who already made a first effort towards an AVI homepage which was perused during the meeting, as well as Andy Brooks, Samvit, Nilauro and AuroTaranti (the latter ones presently all residing in USA). They will collaborate on a questionnaire for each centre to be filled out. Text to be filed into simple structures, common elements, buttons, bars and logos. Submitted to AVI Board, then back for translation to the respective Centres.

• NOTA BENE : As it now emerges that Mauna will be active in the Auroville Website from September 99 onwards, the problem of swift and regular updating of the site may be solved after some months. All are invited to collaborate in the formation of a lively and dynamic AVI section of the AV Website.. OM-

EVALUATION

It was the most and beautiful thing to have young people here, what they are standing for, to work out. Often you get feedback from adults that young people hang out, don’t know to stand for themselves. It is so important that young people HAVE opportunity to get proper education. This is feedback for AV to find ways for higher education. We as centres can support that, very important.

On several occasions we see how important feedback from us abroad is for AV, such as f.i. the land use question.. I want to stress that this sum of $ 10 million should be able to be found in some form or other - MUST be possible to be found..

I came as a stranger, became now familiar with many people here. I was very impressed how the youth of AV is developed and their consciousness is far beyond the average. The talk about the organisation of AV and the Youth 2000 group visions were highlights for me, to see how something develops without strict frames imposed. I see that many things can be developed on different levels of being. I am really interested to go to AV for as I’m now better prepared, I know that I can participate in something and with heart and joy I can now come.

It was very beautiful meeting, I liked place a lot, gave lot of possibilities, outside fire, barbeque, really prepared, also the outing, brought us together. It was more a group experience this time, high quality content, input of young people very special.

The day we worked on the youth themes was very effective. Also land discussion. Topic of AV organisation was enriching.., we could give input, towards f.i. taking up loan, comparing with Findhorn.. etc, we can give encouragement to AV and open thinking space and link it.

I missed a deeper sharing on a personal base on certain themes, f.i. Matrimandir.. I also missed a time where we, the Centres could exchange experiences in our work as centres for Auroville, about the way we work, the challenges faced.., I missed it a bit.. Our personal exchanges as AVI.., we need this place to share our experiences.

It was great to feel the real presence of Aurovilians participating in the meeting - not just hanging around criticizing. Judith, Lisbeth, Kripa were all really participating and felt part of the meeting, and especially to have the youth participate so completely, Aurotaranti really was assisting Martin as an equal.

The first time we came together, we really felt the descent of the Force. It is still there with us.

In the year 2000, why don’t we celebrate all of Auroville’s accomplishments in all aspects of life. So I propose this as a theme, as we need to start work on it now.

This is the first meeting that a significant number of youth came and we had this youthful energy. If this is what the youth in Auroville are capable of doing, then I am very optimistic. I’m especially happy to see the youth out studying and working so hard and bringing those skills back to AV.

I’ve enjoyed this meeting more than any other. The presence of the youth has been really great. It has caught my concentration and I’ve learned so much without being bored. The setting is beautiful and supports the atmosphere. I missed the Tamil presence and hope this can be part of the next meeting, as it has in the past. My question to the Youth is, "Do you feel the meeting empowered you ?"

The youth have so much wisdom and knowledge. I’m happy to see how far they have come in themselves. I would love to see a youth meeting in AV observed by the so-called ‘adults’. Sometimes we avoid things that are too sensitive, but it is great that the youth could bring an honesty to the meeting.

Two very key people in this meeting have been Angiras, who helped prepare the meeting beforehand, and Taranti performed miracles with the room assignments.

I think this atmosphere of feeling so close is the Mother’s work. All of Southeast Asia and the Far East has not participated as much in Auroville’s creation, it has to come..

The meeting place was very good and I very much appreciated the real and active presence of the Aurovilians participating in the meeting. To have the youth participate so completely added a very special touch ; AuroTaranti really was assisting Martin as an equal.

The formula of having Board members come a day or two earlier is very good, to take a look at the schedule prepared, and concentrate on improving it, as well as pre-discuss financial matters and other policy decisions. This could be done in one day, two is maybe too long.

Another thing that added to the well functioning of this meeting was that we really have kept to the 1 ½ hour sessions prescribed by the schedule, while always taking time for a break. This kept us from getting exhausted.

Our experience in the past is that the evaluation session often is the highest part of the meeting, the inner expression.. We should see to it that it is done when ALL people still are there..

AVI is evolving long with AV. In Auroville, we have learned to be more honest, down to earth, and less ‘performing’, less ‘glossy’ in our reports and documentation. In this week, we really have been communicating, really getting to the structures that matter, simple direct communication about things. No ambassadorial communication, just leveling amongst ourselves.. This is very good, no more difference between Aurovilians or ‘non-Aurovilians’, we just are all concerned with Mother’s dream.. Very clearly...

Also, please note that Greta got us going, by asking us some essential questions.

A strong invisible power connects all of us. I appreciate the ‘outside’ perspective of some of the speakers.

The AVI slide collection could do with fresher slides. Thanks to the people having worked on it, but could Auroville perhaps concoct a good and together presentation on all Auroville’s aspects and have it regularly updated ?

During the AVI slide try-out, we could have been really communicating with the Pestalozzi crew who had come to look at it.. But we only talked to each other and lost the chance to communicate with them, this was a mistake..

We also neglected to evoke participation in the meetings from the two young guest visitors.. They could only participate during the small groups on ‘Youth’ and sports - and they did !

I appreciated the work on Youth in the small groups. The process of synthesizing all the pages with notes from the youth was great. I would like to know AV’s reaction to the meeting.

From AV’s side, sometimes it is difficult to be told what to do by you guys.. "Don’t blame the guinea pigs".. If AV cannot asses themselves, perhaps AVI can do that for us. Let us know.. We’re just always ongoing..

It doesn’t really matter how we see each other. Mother decided which role we have to play, let’s just love each other. This feeling of working with Mother, she was right here. I was happy to share things on AV with you, I’m sure it must help, contemporary news..

Good that youth was here. In AV they are not together. Difficult to connect into that as adult, you’re seen as a strange distorting glass. We forget the youth that studies, very concentrated. They asked a lot, we’re feeding. I take with me the idea coming out of our discussions, to ask the AV Youth to do a bit more of their own organisation.., maybe we can implement it in the school.

• A mother to her daughter : It was really nice, we were there as equals.. ! The maturing is there, that nurturing starts having fruition, very good. Wonderful to meet all of you people.

• The daughter : It was extremely good, I sat through all meetings and learned a lot. A lot of things are going on in AV and now I understand more.. In terms of it being a youth meeting : only a few actually showed up, while many were invited. By being here with my mom, as equals, was interesting : I have the feeling I hit adulthood.. I came here as youth.., and came out an adult.., we all met as equals.. Maybe my generation is already a bit ‘old’, I’m youth-ish.., but there is a much younger generation in AV needing attention..

Beautiful atmosphere.. His Holiness the Dalai Lama had already prepared the atmosphere, Mother had not much to do.. We need this bath of oneness once a year..

For me these meetings are a time of learning. Mother has been here in very real sense. I have enjoyed being here, for two years I was not in touch. It’s like diving into a pool again.

My theme is always worship of the divine mother in all her manifestations, through intuitive service we are anti-doting this terrible linear male culture. I ache for India to gain its position in the world, and I do feel privileged to participate in this grass roots experience of shaping Auroville. We all have some petal in Mother’s bouquet which we try to offer to her work.. Some women here have been extra ordinarily active, my pranams to the shaktis..

I like this combining of the spiritual aspect with realistic aspects, and the celebration of it..

Let’s choose to synthesize the Celebration of Understanding Human Unity.

• A youth : When we did this group sharing on youth topics, it was very good, there were many ideas.. After this, a certain concreteness was lacking... We should have discussed the outcome with a few adults to concretise it.., we need the support and expertise of you, adults, now nothing really has been communicated back to the group..

• Adult : And we wanted to help you but didn’t want to impose on you..

A lesson for Auroville, - it may mean : we need youth, youth needs us !

• On several occasions I thought we have to get into some real communication.., f.i. the MM presentation was very powerful and good for me.. We could have gone deeper.. I would like to see that these two sides would get together again and that the community wins back its centre in a way, two sides coming together..

• The youth were very touched by difficulties accessing the Chamber.. If the Matrimandir concentrates too much on the silence around MM , it becomes silence of the grave.

• The Matrimandir Coordination Group says Mother said that the area around the MM had to be silent.

• Old timer : we wrote Mother a letter about the need of amphitheater and it was given to her by Shyamsundar. We described to her how the Amphitheater would be the place for general meetings, movies, lectures, - sort of like the Playground of the Ashram.. Mother said "C’est bien".. There are even two holes concreted in the Amphitheater to erect two poles for a cinema screen.

• Perhaps this letter can be made public and lovingly presented to the MM Coordination group, as a gift from Mother. Because on that basis the Matrimandir was built..

NEXT YEAR’S MEETING

Although there was a discussion whether - with all modern media facilities around - we still would ‘need’ annual meetings (and could perhaps resort to ‘virtual’ meetings, certainly for the Board..), it was decided that next year’s meeting will be in Germany, in the Lebensgarten community in Steyerberg, close to Hannover. This community will participate in, and is part of, EXPO 2000 in the context of the Global Ecological Network, GEN. (Possibly Auroville may have a presentation in that very same context, and in the Indian Trade section as well.) The meeting will take place somewhere between 26^th of June and 26^th of July, probably May 33, 31^st, June 1, 2 and 3^rd. This will be confirmed at the earliest.

The theme chosen may be ‘International understanding’, or the celebration thereof.

A LAST WORD..

All in all, the meeting has been a very good one that brought us definitely more together in our common goal and call. It was interesting that it took place in a Children’s Village named after a man, Johan Pestalozzi, born in 1746, who promoted a veritable integral educational system whereby kids were taught by using Head, Heart and Hands.. On top of that, most of our meeting sessions took place in the living room of Pestalozzi’s Tibetan Songtsen-Khang House which had been blessed and named in April ’88 by the Dalai Lama…, with other words, we all felt really comfortable and at home.

And, of course everyone has been thanking everyone, not in the least the AVI U.K. team, Aurotaranti and Angiras, the outgoing Board members as well as the Pestalozzi crew (several members of whom will be visiting Auroville soon..) ..