Seventh International Communal Studies Conference

June 25 - 27, 2001

1985 'Kibbutz and Communes - Past and Present' (Israel)
1988 'Utopian Thought and Communal Experience' (Scotland)
1990 'Utopia, Imagination and Reality' (USA)
1993 'Culture, Thought and Living in Community' (USA)
1995 'Communalism, Contribution and Survival' (Israel)
1998 'Utopian Communities and Sustainability' (The Netherlands)

Nearly three hundred participants attended the ICSA conference in Amsterdam in 1998. They came from 22 countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Russia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and USA.

For the ICSA2001 conference, to be held at ZEGG community in Germany, we expect even more nations to be represented by either communal scholars or by those living in intentional communities (communal groups).

The general theme of the ICSA 2001 Conference at ZEGG, Germany, is "Communal Living on the Threshold of a New Millennium: Lessons and Perspectives".

'Communal living' is used in the broadest sense to include communes, kibbutzim, intentional communities, cohousing groups, ecovillages, housing co-operatives, religious communities, etc. Some of these are in urban areas while others are in remote rural areas. Some groups are organised along religious/spiritual lines while others are more secular; some have more obviously political dimensions while others are very environmentally-oriented. 'Communal living' also includes the ideas which underpin these alternative and more social lifestyles, including the ideas and literature of utopianism.

'Lessons and Perspectives' refers to ICSA's interest in the long and colourful history of these alternative forms of communal living - and to our interest in the future of this vital and crucial social movement. All communal ventures are aimed at creating a better future, so ICSA looks to the future by learning from history.

This conference of the International Communal Studies Association will take a broad look at what we have learned from the survival (and collapse) of communal ventures, and how this vital movement can and will develop in the new Millennium.

• Communal Survival, Subsistence & New Work
• New Communication Technologies & Virtual Communities
• Researching & Teaching about Communalism
• Diversity (Gender, Ethnicity, Class, Sex, etc.) & Post-Modern Values
• Do-it-Yourself Communal Cultures
• Sex, Gender, New Family Forms & Age Issues in Communal Groups
• Communal Ecology, Economics & Sustainability; Ecovillages
• Political & Social/Psychological Importance of Communal Living
• Communal History & Utopianism
• The Kibbutz in the new Millennium
• Trends in Urban Communal Living, Cohousing, Housing Co-ops, etc.
• 'Cults' and 'Cult-busting/bashing'; media issues

Those who wish to give a paper or presentation at the ICSA2001 Conference should submit a clear and concise outline, in English. This must not exceed one A-4 page, with 2.5 cm margins, and it must include title, author, address, phone, fax & e-mail.

Anyone attending ICSA2001 who lives in a (broadly-defined) communal group is encouraged to offer a presentation about their group. This could be in the form of a talk, slide show, video, whatever. All those studying communal groups are invited to talk about their research.

Abstracts and all proposals must be received before October 15, 2000. Send abstracts & proposals to Dr Bill Metcalf, preferably by e-mail to: w.metcalf@mailbox.gu.edu.au, or by post to AES, Griffith University, Nathan, Q. 4111, Australia.

Because this conference is organized by the International Communal Studies Association, people offering presentations are expected to be members of the ICSA, although this may be waived for people coming from intentional communities. Academic presenters will normally only be accepted if they are ICSA members.

If you wish to participate in this conference, please send in the application form which is enclosed with this brochure. This should be posted to: Christa Falkenstein, ZEGG Community, Rosa-Luxemburg-Strasse 89, D-14806 Belzig, Germany. Additional application forms can be obtained by either writing to this address, or contacting Christa Falkenstein on e-mail at: icsa@zegg.de

The registration fee includes access to all sessions, two lunches, three dinners, coffee and tea, entry to the swimming pool and other recreational facilities, etc. The formal ICSA dinner (Wednesday), with entertainment, is also included in this price.

The costs for registration, accommodation and the post conference tour are all on the enclosed registration form.

The three day conference will meet from the afternoon of Monday, June 25, 2001 until late evening on Wednesday, June 27.
There will be keynote addresses by senior researchers in Communal Studies, and by experienced communards. There will be parallel sessions covering a broad range of issues relevant to the theme: "Communal Living on the Threshold of a New Millennium: Lessons and Perspectives".

The conference will also include music and dance from communal groups, and there will be ample opportunity to explore ZEGG community and learn from its members - and to enjoy ourselves.

ZEGG community is in Belzig, Germany, about one hour by train south-west of Berlin, the nearest international airport.

If flying into Berlin (Schönefeld Airport), go by train to Bergholz, and change to a train to Belzig. If flying into Berlin (Tegel Airport), go by bus to Berlin-Charlottenburg, and change to a train to Belzig. There are trains almost every hour (from 5 a.m. to midnight).

If notified in advance, conference delegates can be picked up at Belzig train station. Otherwise, just catch a taxi or bus. ZEGG is about three kilometres from the Belzig train station.

E-mail and internet access will be available for ICSA conference participants while at ZEGG.

The conference language will be English.

ZEGG roughly translates as the Centre for Experimental Cultural Design. ZEGG has 70 adult members and about 20 children, and is located on the edge of the small town of Belzig, Germany, about one hour south-west of Berlin. They have been on this site for about ten years but had lived together elsewhere as a communal group for an additional ten years.

They have a compact site with many buildings, and several lecture, seminar and meeting rooms. There is an excellent kitchen and dining room, and wine and drinks will be available with meals. They have two pubs on site, plus a swimming pool.

ZEGG has a number of single, double & triple bedrooms, plus dormitory style accommodation available for guests. No ZEGG rooms have private bathroom facilities. There are also several hotels within walking distance, and transport will be arranged for those who need it.

ZEGG comprises a very mature and enlightened group of dedicated communards. They are very open to sharing their communal world with those attending ICSA2001. ZEGG is one of the most interesting communal groups in the world today.

Most ZEGG members speak some English and several are very fluent.

There are numerous intentional communities in this part of Germany, and many of them will be attending and sharing information about their diverse communities.

ZEGG members and those from other German intentional communities will provide musical entertainment during the ICSA2001 conference.

A recently published short article that gives more information and honest opinions about ZEGG can be seen in Communities Magazine (#101, 1999, pp. 62-4), with the title 'Community Living Worldwide: ZEGG: Free Love in Germany'.

ZEGG's website is: http://www.zegg.de