European alternative banks call for change in banking practices
FRANKFURT (NNA) – Amid the continuing economic crisis, European alternative banks, meeting in Frankfurt at the end of last year, have called for a fundamental change in banking
practices. The socially and environmentally oriented financial institutions involved, none of whom have been affected by the crisis but have experienced substantial growth in new clients, are Banca Etica
(Italy), Cultura Bank (Norway), Ecology Building Society (Great Britain), Ekobanken (Sweden), Freie Gemeinschaftsbank (Switzerland), GLS Bank (Germany), Merkur Bank (Denmark) and Triodos Bank
(Germany).“Across Europe there is a growing awareness of the importance of sustainable handling of money,” Ecology Building Society chief executive Paul Ellis said, “and the crisis has
underlined the relevance of this. Many people are questioning their banking relationships and are wanting to know what their institution is doing with their money. For full story go to News
Youth welfare project in France struggles to keep going
 TAUTAVEL (NNA) – The Swiss youth welfare project “Centre de Formation”, based in Tautavel in southern France, continues to struggle for survival.
In recent years the project has given educational support to many young people in crisis situations from Switzerland and Germany. The difficulties have arisen because in the last two
years the Swiss youth welfare authorities have stopped financing visits to the Centre. Problems with a youth welfare organisation in Spain had led the authorities in 2006 completely to
cease funding young people in projects abroad. For full story go to News
New Karl König work edition
 EDINBURGH/STUTTGA RT/BERLIN (NNA) – Publication of a new
work edition of the works of Karl König, the founder of the Camphill movement, is gathering pace. The complete edition is a joint project of the Ita Wegman Institute for Anthroposophical Basic Research
in Arlesheim und the Karl König Archives in Aberdeen. For full story go to News
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EL ARISH, Egypt (NNA) – A crisis intervention team sent to Gaza by the international Waldorf organisation Friends of Waldorf Education to help traumatised children has
been forced to leave the territory again on the urgent advice of the UN and the German foreign office. The advice to foreign delegations to leave Gaza was issued because Egypt said it would close
the Rafah crossing point into the territory on Thursday and that thereafter they would no longer be allowed to cross back into Egypt. Friends of Waldorf Education said the 15-member team, consisting of
anthroposophical physicians, therapists and health and education professionals with experience in crisis intervention work, left Gaza on Wednesday and is now waiting in the Egyptian town of El Arish to return.
For full story go to News
MUNICH (NNA) – A
global campaign to stop an “alarming new trend” for patents to be allowed on conventional plants is stepping up its action in advance of an appeal to be considered by the Enlarged
Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office (EPO) in Munich. The Enlarged Board of Appeal, the highest appeal body of the EPO, is due to consider appeals against patents granted on
conventional broccoli and tomato species and its binding landmark ruling is expected to determine the patentability of conventional seeds in Europe.
CAIRO (NNA) – A new water
laboratory is under construction at the Sekem initiative near Cairo in Egypt. It is part of a water management project which is also testing subsurface irrigation as a more responsible and efficient way to
use Egypt’s scarce water resources.