The First Annual E.F. Schumacher Society Decentralist Conference

The E.F. Schumacher Society Decentralist Conference was held on June 28-30, 1996 at Williams College in Williamstown, MA. The Society, aided by over 50 co-sponsoring organizations, convened the Conference on Decentralism and the practical details of creating more human scale institutions. The Conference has brought together academics and activists, liberals and conservatives - people who have learned how to make communities and neighbors work better.

Out of 240 participants, over sixty shared their experience, problems, accomplishments, and research in formal presentations as well as informal discussions throughout the event.

The Conference featured keynote presentations

• AN OVERVIEW OF DECENTRALISM by Kirkpatrick Sale
• PRAIRIE GRASS RISING by John McClaughry

as well as panels and workshops on

• Local currency projects, including Paul Glover of Ithaca Hours
• Enterprise loan funds and SHARE projects
• Worker co-operatives
• Regional Food Systems
• The role of technology in a decentralized economy
• Citizen-initiated environmental projects