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Keep up the side!Max Lindegger has vivid memories of GENious times with Declan as a dancer, mentor, and enthusiast
Got this phone call from Melbourne "Hello Mr Lindegger, Prof Kennedy here ... could we come and see you for a few hours?" I think over the next years we all did "keep up the side"! It was probably about 1983 when we met again in person. I had been teaching the first Permaculture course in the UK and Declan invited me to give a presentation at the Technische Universität Berlin where he was teaching (and they lived at the Altvaterstrasse!). Together we did a consultancy near Koeln for the owner of the "Lernwerkstätten" and gave talks at a number of places. I clearly remember when we where guests at the castle of Johannes von Truchsee Freiherr zu Witzhausen! It was the first and last time I stayed at a castle! Over a number of years I had the privilege to serve with Declan (and Albert Bates and Hamish Stewart) as a representative for the Global Ecovillage Network. I enjoyed Declan's wisdom as much as his sense of humour and his infectious energy. We met all around the world - from Turkey to the Farm in the US to Lebensgarten in Germany. One thing you could always be assured of: any activity, any meeting would involve at some point some dancing! The exhibition for Habitat 2 in Istanbul is vivid in my mind. Not only was GEN's display outstanding and made a lasting impact on many. Declan initiated what must be one of the largest circle dances ever at the NGO hall. It was not so much of a circle as a snake winding its way around exhibits and up and down stairs. It was all inclusive and showed that our message had a strong fun element. The GEN meeting which was held with one representative from each region plus Hamish was probably one of the most efficient and enjoyable meetings I can remember in a live time of meetings and I can remember how strong, yet flexible leadership was one of the pluses Declan could bring to the meeting. I always saw Declan and Margrit as a team - a team which recognised each others strengths and supported them with vigour and love. Declan has always had the knack to see the strengths in individuals and made the effort to give mentorship when needed. I know that I appreciated his advice when needed and build confidence when I was lacking it. I cherish the times we had together, the hugs (he was never an "A- frame" hugger!) , the firry arguments and his staying power.
With Love and affection to Declan on his 75th Birthday Max and Trudi Lindegger EcoLogical Solutions - Consultancy & Education Services
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Prof. Declan Kennedy • Ginsterweg 5 • D-31595 Steyerberg • +49 (0) 57 64 / 21 58 • kennedy@declan.de |
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I met Declan and Margrit in 1981. I had been doing some work for a project they worked on in Brazil ( I think it was called something like Cacapava).
I wish Declan many more dances, hours of stimulating discussion and hope that we will have many more years of his enthusiasm to infect us. In these times of Carbon awareness we my not meet in person, but be assured we are thinking of you.