Moderator report

Moderator report of work group activities and plenum by Jeremy Dean

Work programme

The working groups A and B were formed after inauguration of the congress on the 18th of August 2011. The working group discussions were carried out for 3 hours on the 19th of August 2011 and led by Tomasz Terlecki (A) from Poland and Sylvia Wohatschek (B) from Austria The plenary presentations and discussion of results were led by Jeremy Dean (DK) and lasted approx. 3 hours on the morning of the 20th of August 2011.

Results from working groups

The key findings and challenges from both work groups can be summarized as follows:

• Need for safeguards for appropriate land used for allotment garden purposes and security of tenure and peace of mind for gardeners
• Need for involvement of politicians in allotment gardening issues at all levels in society
• Need to pass on knowledge of plants and growing to future generations
• Need to pass on notions of social values and idea of solidarity to future generations
• Need for co-operation with allies to forward own and joint interests
• Need to attract public support for allotment garden movement o Need to find ways of attracting young people to the allotment garden movement
• Need to show how the Allotment gardeners contribute to better health and a longer life
• Need to ensure that Allotment gardens are a part of city planning including standards for distance to homes and space per inhabitant
• Need to integrate sustainability (Co2, climate change, biodiversity, etc.) in all aspects of Allotment garden philosophy
• Need for review and alteration of rules and regulations to meet new needs in the Allotment garden movement.