August 20 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WOODCRAFT FOLK HEAD FOR SOUTH AFRICA

 

Young campaigners today heading for the Johannesburg Earth Summit are issuing a special message as they fly off from Heathrow.

Representatives of the 11-strong Woodcraft folk delegation will be present at a press conference organised by the Greater London Authority about the Earth Summit.

They will be launching their own CD-Rom to stress the reasons behind their trip, at which they will be fighting for a host of global goals, including a curb in the use of fossil fuels and an end to the escalating arms trade.

The CD-Rom, featuring fun Woodcraft characters Sust 'n’ Able, will be distributed to delegates at the Summit, where world leaders, and NGOs are heading over the next two weeks.

 Also featuring footage from the International Camp held by the Woodcraft Folk in Sherwood Forest in 2001, the CD-Rom's message is pure and simple - Stop Destroying The Planet!


Media contact:

For pictures/interviews ring Susan Press 01422 845276 0798935240

e-mail press@woodcraft.org.uk

web www.woodcraft.org.uk/earthsummit

 

Notes to editors

The Woodcraft Folk, established in 1925, is an education movement for children and young people in England, Scotland and Wales. It aims to build self-confidence and activity in society, with the longer-term goal of a world based on equality, peace, social justice and co-operation. It believes in equal opportunities is open to people of any religion or none, promoting an understanding of the need to protect the environment and use of the world's resources. It has exchanges with similar organisations throughout the world. Its motto is: Span the World With friendship. The delegation, which was chosen by a Woodcraft Folk Steering group, will be aiming to promote its own nine-point Declaration on Sustainability, which was put together at an International Camp held in Nottinghamshire last year. This involved 4000 young people from 30 different countries.

The name "woodcraft" was used by the influential writer and naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton at the turn of the 20th century and meant the skill of living in the open air, close to nature.

The organisation has four age groups: Elfins (ages 6 to 9); Pioneers (10 to 12); Venturers (13 to 15); and District Fellows (16 to 20). There are about 18,000 members throughout the UK in around 600 local groups.

Organisational contact: www.woodcraft.org.uk, info@woodcraft.org.uk, 0845 4589535