Jacque Fresco’s vision of the future

In a world that rests precariously on the edge of civil unrest it can sometimes seem that we have become forsaken. That our destiny lies in a no-mans land somewhere between now and the waste and refuse of a race hung-up on its own desire to consume as much, and whatever it can with an unbecoming levity.

It can be so easy for ‘us’ – the fortunate of the western world, out here on the crest of our first world “civilisation” - to look out over the violence and unrest around us, to see it as just another ‘thing’ tucked amongst the pixels of our screens. It can be so easy for us to take it all for granted.

We are so used to the information being fed to us, so capable of being aware of everything around us that, in the end, the important things seem to melt with the unimportant; to the point that we allow all of these things to quickly twist into tragedy. Until eventually, at some point, when we may have left it all a little to late, we turn to ask, how can we save ourselves?

What is important then? Well if you ask industrial designer and social engineer Jacque Fresco, he has a lot to say on the matter.

The Zeitgeist Movement is the activist arm of The Venus Project, an organisation that works to publicise Jacque Fresco’s vision of the future. Fresco states that our profit-based economy is the cause of all unrest in the world. He states that crime, corruption, poverty and social barriers are the effect of a monetary system; a system that suffocates the true potential of a society that is more than capable, through the use of socially beneficial technology and science – used in a non-competitive, non-profit based society – to create a world where people can “live longer, healthier and more beneficial lives.”

Fresco is a ‘Futurist’. A man with a vision of a utopian world, a world that can seem so far away from our life time if we were to look at how far we have to go. But with Fresco and with the Zeitgeist Movement, you get the sense that they are taking those first important steps on that proverbial ‘Journey of a thousand miles’.

To learn more and to become a part of the movement visit:

www.thezeitgeistmovement.com

www.thevenusproject.com

Hitchhiking

a journey towards trust in humanity

There are no ticking clocks, no schedules, no tickets – you decide when to start this journey. It’s your choice when to depart.

Once you embraced the energy of life and decided to go with the flow, to go with the wind, that is when the actual decisions take place – to stand somewhere at the side of the road and to wait for someone to pick you up. Some decisions are more calculated than other. When you ask for a ride, you normally have a goal in mind: a city, a country, or maybe just a small village to visit – enough to create an unforgettable adventure. But there are journeys without a clear destination, because destiny is what guides you!

a journey towards trust in humanity

Your vibration is invisible but perceptible. This is what will lead you through your travels, what will enrich your thoughts and your expectations, or, even better, what will allow you to be completely open to the unknown – no expectations. Trust and love for the world is what one feels when standing on the street, during rain or sunshine, through cold and warm times. Cars are passing by, sometimes many, sometimes just one. And then it happens. It’s like a magic feeling: someone stopped their car for you, to help you, to share with you, to treat you like a brother or sister.

Connecting with others

That is when the miracle occurs. Strangers starting to communicate and bond on different levels. There is the openness, the interest, the kindness, the helpfulness – giving and feeling good about it.

Every person carries this light within themselves. It is there, and if you want to see it, you will find it. People’s internal beauty is so rich, and their diversity so colourful and bright. You can learn so much from these encounters, from these great people who probably feel the same as you: open, connected, and liberal.

More than a ride

In over ten years of hitchhiking around the world, I have gathered only good experiences with interesting, generous and lovely people, who shared their time with me. Tens of thousands of kilometers are lying behind me, but the memories of people from dozens of different countries, the beautiful moments of joy, curiosity and adventure are still fresh in my mind. I learned many languages just by trying to talk and understand the people. Pilots, soldiers, priests, businessmen and businesswomen, truck-drivers, mothers, fathers, and so many others.

What is astonishing is that despite existing differences between people, what we share in common weighs much more: the belief in a better world, in which hate and violence, hunger and starvation, war and terror are things for history books. It is the belief that together we are more than the sum of our parts.

Sharing is everything and that is what hitchhiking is all about.

Video: Nikolas Konstantin

Text: Raphael Fellmer

Edit: Anca Gurzu

EVS - an intercultural experience -

EVS is a program within the Youth Program of the European Commission. This program covers major expenses of your stay in a foreign country in exchange for volunteer work. EVS may be regarded as the “Erasmus” of volunteering.

Unlike Erasmus, EVS follows the concept of non-formal education. Non-formal Education follows the belief that the best way to experience another culture isby learning another language and improving yourself by working actively in another country. In an EVS you will work with local people in the non-profit field, preferably in the countries’ language. Activities vary heavily: from social work to designing the program of a radio station up to researching wild species in the nature; the catalogue of EVS projects offers a wide variety of tasks.

What does EVS provide?

In a nutshell, EVS is a grant for volunteering. The European Commission will cover the accommodation, language courses, a decent insurance and above all seminars with other European volunteers. The European Voluntary Service will probably not cover all your expenses, but it certainly provides significant help in integrating you in the country of choice.

Where can I do an EVS?

The common European Voluntary Service takes up 6 to 12 months. Just as the word “European” in European Voluntary Service reveals, one can do an EVS in any European country. The probability to find an EVS varies from country to country.

There are higher requests for some countries (Spain, France, Great Britan), whereas others are easier to obtain (Finland, Bulgaria). If one is interested in a simpler, easy process of application and acceptance to maximize the experience, it is recommendable to choose a less popular country. This not only facilitates the application, but also maximizes the learning possibilities and often leads to great adventures and discoveries.

How to make an EVS?

Advantages are obvious, but there are many drawbacks: the application procedure is long and confusing.

1. The first step lies in searching for a suitable hosting organization – project in the EVS-Databank. When you found a suitable project, you must submit an application. Be warned, most project leaders are busy and therefore seldom reply, but do not lose your motivation and keep writing. In most cases you will have a positive reply after the 10th or 15th application.
2. Second, consult a home (sending) organization in your country.  The home organization is an NGO in your country that shall support you throughout your EVS experience. They will write a contract, monitor your service and provide training before and after your EVS.
3. Third, sign a cooperation contract between your home (sending) organization and the hosting project organization and send it to the National Agency of the desired country. What follows next is a cruel and long waiting time. It takes approximately 3 months until you receive a reply from the National Agency with either your confirmation or denial; but be positive: in most cases a confirmation enters your letterbox, so that in a short time period you will take up to the land of your choice.

Experiences

Here are some testimonials from people who have participated in the EVS in the Netherlands. Ruben and Liisa work for the Dutch NGO Loesje in Arnhem. We asked them to give a small in view in their EVS life:

Ruben (Spain): “Although in the beginning a big question mark was put over this new chapter in my life, my experience so far is nothing but awesome. My fears were mainly about the adaptation to a new country or not feeling useful in my project. After my first month here I’m really sure about one thing: when you have great people around, the problems get so small that you don’t care about them anymore. And for me that is what my EVS is about, great people and great moments that will be a part of me for the rest of my life… and loads of cookies.”

Liisa(Estonia): “A lot of people whom I have met during this rather short time have been amazed that I had the courage to come here. Personally I didn’t even think about fear before I came here. I’m here to learn how to live experiences from the unknown and so far it has been a great flow to go with: people, love, inspiration and joy of life around me. Late night conversations with a person you’ve never met before pleasantly make much of the unknown more known. This is the time of my life”

Usefull links

The EVS Databank: from social work to designing the program of a radio station up to researching wild species in the nature; the catalogue of EVS projects offers a wide variety of tasks.

The EVS site of the European commision: Thorough description of the European Voluntary Service

20 years youth programs: A informative, slight dry video on the Youth projects offered by the Commission

Article written by Nikolas Papageorgiou & Christina Opris