Paolo Lugari

Discovering the Beauty in Challenge and Difficulty

Paolo Lugari and Gaviotas represent one of the most inspiring stories of human goodness and potential. After graduating from Bogota's Universitad National Paolo traveled and studied development in Asia on a scholarship from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Upon his return, he began working for a commission planning the future of Colombia's wild pacific coast. In 1971 his group of idealistic, challenge-seeking engineers moved to a desolate, semi-populated region of Columbia, SA. Today, that once barren land has regenerated a rain forest with millions of trees, sprouted 247 plant species, and established an aquifer that supplies water to over 45,000 people. Gaviotas appropriate technology inventions, environmental discoveries, artistic, medical, educational and social innovations do more than marvel and inspire.

The United Nations called Gaviotas a model of sustainable development. Born in the city of Popayán, Lugari was homeschooled by his Italian father in a stimulating intellectual and cultural environment. After graduating from Bogota's Universidad Nacional he traveled and studied development in Asia on a scholarship from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Upon his return, he began working for a commission planning the future of Colombia's wild Pacific coast. Shortly thereafter, in 1966, Lugari set eyes upon the barren eastern savannas of Colombia and saw the possibility for designing an ideal civilization for the fast-growing tropics. He drew others to this remote and inhospitable location by offering the opportunity for boundless imagination and experimentation. What emerged is a community unrivaled in its creativity and resilience.

Journalist Alan Weisman vividly chronicled the development of Gaviotas in his 1998 book, Gaviotas: A Village to Reinvent the World, " Despite the constant threat of Colombia's political turbulence, this is now the setting for one of the most hopeful environmental success stories ever told. For more than three decades the scientists, artists, peasants, ex-street kids, and Guahibo Indians living in … Gaviotas have elevated phrases like sustainable development and appropriate technology from cliché to reality." They invented water pumps that could be hooked up to children's seesaws. They created a zero-emission, zero-waste manufacturing plant and are economically self-sufficient. They have planted 30,000 hectares of pine forest, which has spurred the regeneration of ancient rainforest. They have no mayor, jail, police, or rules, yet they are an oasis of peace in a war-torn country. Thousands of people have been inspired by their example, because, as Weisman observes, "a place like Gaviotas bears witness to our ability to get it right, even under the most insurmountable circumstances."

Gaviotas is currently a village of about 200 people. For three decades, Gaviotans - peasants, scientists, artists, and former street kids - have struggled to build an oasis of imagination and sustainability in the remote, barren savannas of eastern Colombia, an area ravaged by political terror. They have planted millions of trees, thus regenerating an indigenous rainforest. They farm organically and use wind and solar power. Every family enjoys free housing, community meals, and schooling. There are no weapons, no police, no jail. Now they are successfully exporting their products and technologies to other communities in Colombia. The Friends of Gaviotas interactive retreat is another great opportunity to connect with Paolo and the Gaviotas vision. This will be a spontaneous-filled event with video and slide show presentations, dialogue circles, and the opportunity to bring questions and examples from your own life, work and community. For more information see friendsofgaviotas.org/2003retreat.htm.