Alternatives to Consumerism (ATC), an interfaith project that aims to raise awareness about the negative impacts of consumerism and empower people searching or working for alternatives. In 1995 an international secretariat was set up to organise an Alternatives to Consumerism Gathering in Bangkok in 1997 to debate, celebrate and awaken to these issues. Participants from around the world who were involved with and sympathetic to - alternative ways of living shared stories and made friends, inter-religious worship, dance and dialogue inspired everyone. Activities included an impressive photo-exhibition from the International Society for Ecology and Culture, a Declaration for Alternatives to Consumerism, the first international conference on Alternative Education, workshops on regional alternative politics, self-reliance, theatre for empowerment etc. etc. This Gathering was the impetus for several ongoing projects and had a strong impact on the ethos of our network that has a constant search for and building up of alternatives to consumerism. There are several ongoing projects that are a direct result of this initiative and these are Educational Materials for Empowerment that has been the foundation for the South East Asia Centre for Sustainable Communities; Alternative Education Network and Alternative Politics for Asia.

Further sources of information:

Alternatives To Consumerism- a Buddhist programme.
Speech by Sulak Sivaraksa. You can downloaded is from Sulak's speeches section.

International Society for Ecology and Culture
http://www.isec.org.uk/