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Dear Bas,
Chicken and the egg. I think what you propose makes a lot of sense, 'Every' self respecting organisation providing organic food is part of such a label that stands for its quality. Are up to that? I don't know'. If we are not, it might just mean we that need it even more :-) Houses and food are very different ofcourse, Millions of tomatoes all look the same to me, though I have yet to see two simular SB houses. Tomatoes are produces by the thousands per year by one grower. A strong backed builder will do how many in a year. A tomato is oten believed to be so 'cheap' that it can be trown away. A house is often once biggest lifetime investment. This increases the chalenge I guess. Personally I would love to read what you propose since we will have to deal with it sooner or later. Maybe we could have a document that we can offer to proffesionals and the (future) owner, so that both can avoid pittholes. In Amerika I came across a natural builder who was put out of buisness because one client found a loophole in the contract and refuses to pay for the next few years. Rather than working with norms (that restrict and therefore limit?) could we work in a way that educates and creates freedom still moving away from malpractice? Now, for a very practical question regarding copyright: I visited the Swiss house and they knew who we were (I gather from their german messages that they have forgotten) They were ok with us taking slides for the research for a book. Where is the limit in using pictures of their house (outside/inside) for a book, or (not known to the owners) Website and CDrom. Do I need written aproval for each and every future use of the images of every house I visit/photograph? Don't get me wrong, I don't intend to use the images of their house, I respect their choice, but suppose it was allready published. Maybe we should discuss this of list, but I know I'm not the only one on the list taking SB pictures when I can. Bye, Andre m.ep@laposte... > > Message for the strawbale network from Bas Roufs/ Viaconsensus, Utrecht, The Netherlands. > > Dear Strawbale Friends > > That unfortunate Swiss affair stimulates me to send you this message. To be honest, I am not very surprised by this sad news. When thinking about my working experience in the building biology sector so far, I remember other bad incidents which are due to a lack of clear cut and realistic structures, arrangements and quality norms. This is really a pity, because straw baling and other sustainable innovative developments are most important for the development of Earth and Mankind. > > If you are interested, I could send to you a proposal on the development of a little, flexible structure which could help to prevent such affairs in the future: by example, a that committee Axel Linde refers to in his last message. In the framework of such a committee, some relevant things could be developed. By example: > a.. a code of conduct > b.. a set of quality norms. > c.. a control and complaints commission. > d.. a kind of quality mark for strawbale professionals to be marketed in Europe and elsewhere. > Finally, I provide you with some information about myself. Perhaps I am the only non- strawbale or building biology professional who is on the strawbale e-mail list. I have studied international and European law and international relations. Ever since some years, I run 'Viaconsensus', a legal and political consultancy for ethical and sustainable business. I have some clients in the building biology sector. That is one of the reasons, I am interested in your strawbale network. > > I help my clients to reflect about strategic, legal and international aspects of their work. Some examples of questions I deal with: > a.. the kind of partners with who clients could cooperate. > b.. analysis of the interests of the clients and their possible cooperation partners. > c.. project ideas at the basis of this common interest analysis. > d.. assistance to the development clearcut, realistic cooperation arrangements. > e.. the countries in which the could work. > f.. the domestic and international political issues to be taken into account. > g.. the European programmes which could be useful to develop sustainable international project. > If you are interested in a more elaborate proposal, I could provide you with it next week. If you have questions, do not hesitate to write or call me. Below the line, you can find all my adress information. > > To finish this message, I wish you a wunderful evening and a fruitful continuation of the working week. > > Yours sincerely > > Bas Roufs. > ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ _____ > Viaconsensus > Juridisch en politiek advies voor ethisch en duurzaam ondernemerschap > Legal and political consultancy for ethical and sustainable business > Consulenza giuridica e politica per l'imprenditoria etica e sostenibile > drs. Bas G. Roufs > Van 't Hoffstraat 1 > NL-3514 VT UTRECHT > Nederland, The Netherlands > tel./ fax +31/( 0)30/272.12.26 > GSM +31/(0)6/24.606.110 > e-mail: viaconsensus@libero... > e mail privé/ privato/ private: bas.roufs@hccnet... >** --------- End Original Message ----------- ** > La Maison en Paille Information Center on ECO-LOGIC Habitat Andre & Coralie de Bouter Le Trezidoux 16290 Champmillon Charente, France Tel. (0)5 45 66 27 68 m.ep@laposte... www.la-maison-en-paille.com We are currently building our Straw Bale house/'hotel' to receive people for guided tours, Straw Bale workshops, as well as other workshops. We offer multimedia presentations on SB construction and are working on a (copyright free) CDrom on Natural Construction. |