Ms. Marta Balan

Mt Battery Unity in Diversity Trust
Australia

Abstract Title: Towards a Sustainable World

Biography:

An academic in Transpersonal Psychology from Australia, Marta applied her multifaceted skills in pioneer volunteer community work since 1995. For fostering harmony and inclusiveness she initiated interfaith networking, founded the Unity in Diversity Events with annual concerts of traditional multi-faith music, the Victorian Shared Values Symposiums, the Victorian Interfaith Networks Annual Conferences and the multicultural WE ARE THE WORLD! Bring a bell! Concerts. Her research on unity of social and environmental sustainability she ploughed into the Victorian Sustainability-Well-being Expo in 2013. She utilises her expertise in community education on eco social sustainability through the Mt Battery Unity in Diversity Trust.

Research Interest:

A brief update on climate change in the world and an overview of international agreements on combating climate change is presented, focusing at the role of humans in the programs. Apart from the adaptation to facts of climate change, the impact of the integrity of humans in the roots of climate change is analysed through the framework of teachings of faith traditions on shared values and their scientific correlates, postulating the unity of environmental and social sustainability. A new platform is proposed to expand the programs and policies drawn mainly by LiFE in the G20: Community Education in Eco-social Sustainability, for motivating communities and individuals to make sustainable choices, to develop a sustainable lifestyle and to contribute to character building of future generations for maintaining a lasting eco-social sustainability of the world. The Community Education in Eco-social Sustainability Model is to be carried out in a multi purpose communal setting utilising a unique architectural structure, a Buckminster-Fuller dome, where a comprehensive innovative content is taught applying innovative methodology. Apart from climate information, the content is mainly human values and arts of cultures in programs of mini events designed to trigger attitude changes by the experience of facilitated active involvement in a communal interaction. Classical educational methods are also applied, such as lectures and workshops on combating climate change. The setting is designed to serve a practical application of eco-social sustainability principles: as headquarters of citizens climate action initiatives, for promotion of a sustainable lifestyle, a display of green chemistry applications in farming and a place for collaboration between climate activists, cultural influencers, research and educational institutions, media, government and non-governmental organisations. This cost effective communal setting is a non-permanent removable structure fitting on small lots of crown land or on unused spaces of government properties and is applicable in various societies. Keywords: Eco-social Sustainability, Community Education, Values