Continuing a series on Ecovillages I started last month, this article delves into some of the unique features and successes of the extraordinary Auroville ecovillage in India.
Auroville’s main goal has always been “to realise human unity — in diversity”. It is also concerned with “sustainable living and the future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind.” It is involved in ongoing researching on these topics. Ideally, it’s intended that Auroville (City of Dawn) eventually consist of 50,000 people from India and around the world.
The idea for the ecovillage or township started to sprout in the mid-1960s by its main founder, Mirra Alfassa, “The Mother” (born in Paris by an Egyptian mother and Turkish father), and the project was founded in 1968.
In 1966, before it was founded, the project (located in southern India) had already received the backing of UNESCO, support which has continued in a variety of ways since then. “In 1966 UNESCO passed a unanimous resolution commending it as a project of importance to the future of humanity, thereby giving their full encouragement.”