Who is going to represent the Folk at the Earth Summit?

The Woodcraft Folk is be sending a delegation of young people to Johannesburg for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). Fund-raising is under way and we plan to send 11 young delegates, in addition to the two places we have been given on the UN's 'Your Wake Up Call' scheme.

The delegates will be representing the views of over 4000 young people from all over the world, as set out in our Declaration produced at International Camp.

The delegates will take part in the activities around the Summit, especially those organised by the Youth Caucus. They will travel to South Africa in time for the International Youth Summit on Sustainable Development which is to take place just before the main summit and we expect our delegation will play an active role in this meeting.

It is hoped that we will be working closely with our International Falcon Movement counterparts and colleagues from the European Youth Forum, and possibly making new links with youth groups in South Africa and from around the globe during the visit.

The process of choosing the delegation has been carried out in accordance with the Woodcraft Folk's equal opportunities policy and the selection panel was comprises of a majority of young people. We believe the group who have been selected will be truely representative of the Woodcraft Folk and will be great ambassadors for the important message we have to convey

The Delegation:

Eleanor Dodd

I'm Eleanor (aka Elle), a Venturer from the Acocks Green Leaping Flame Woodcraft Folk. I was absolutely ecstatic when I found out that I would be going to Johannesburg and even more excited (if that's possible) when I saw what a great group of people I was going with! With all the planning now underway I'm being to get a sense of what a massive opportunity this is! I hope that we'll do the Woodcraft Folk proud!

Matthew Carroll

I'm Matthew and I'm a chemistry student from Leeds University. I went to International Camp last year, and since then I've been focussing more on environmental science, learning about how we are affecting the planet by polluting the atmosphere, the air we breathe, and causing global warming (to name but a few.)

I think that what excites me the most about going to the Summit is knowing that we have such a strong mandate from the thousands of people who signed the declaration at and since IC2001. There are choices to be made and I believe we have a unique opportunity in Johannesburg to get our message across, on behalf of the young people who will inherit the planet, to the people who can change things right now.

International Camp showed just how thoughtful and productive young people can be when it comes to the difficult choices that face humanity, and I would like to think that we will continue in that spirit in Johannesburg, and represent the "voice" of young people that often fails to be heard.

Tamsin Pearce

Delegation leader and Chairperson of the Woodcraft Folk's General Council

Hi I'm Tamsin and I'm 23. I raduated university last summer (History and Politics) and I now work in London for the charity Scope. I've been in the Folk since I was 6 and a member of the General Council for four years.

Last year at the international camp I was part of the camp committee, co-ordinating the international delegations. Nearly 700 young people from all over the world took part and it was an inspiring sight to see so many young people with so much enthusiasm and such clear convictions about the state of their world.

I am delighted that the achievements of camp have not been discarded or the declaration left to gather dust. Taking our declaration to Johannesburg is such an exciting opportunity and shows us what can be done when we really start to empower young people!

Martha Robinson

Hi! - I'm Martha and I'm a 16 year old DF in the Red Moomin DF group in Ealing. I'm over the moon about being part of the delegation that goes to the World Summit this summer and I realise how big a chance this is for me to learn so much! I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone involved in this trip and I'm glad that I'll be able to play a part in getting our declaration heard!

Will Coulby

I'm Will, I'm 13 years old and live in Bath. I'm really excited about the Earth Summit as it gives everyone a chance to have there say in our future. It will be an amazing experience and I will represent the views of myself and the Woodcraft Folk to the best of my ability.

Tilly Sheridan

Hi, my name is Tilly and I'm the administrator for this project. I work at Folk House and am also an assistant administrator for national Woodcraft Folk.
I am 23 years old and finished a degree in Theatre Studies at Goldsmiths University, London last year. I then went straight into this job after thinking that being paid to do something I truly believe in sounded fantastic. I live in South East London and work with Freefolk Elfins, Lewisham & Greenwich District.

Working on the Summit is really exciting as it is exactly what Woodcraft Folk is about - giving a voice to young people. It is fantastic to get really positive responses from MPs, especially when they say things like "This will, I am sure, be an invaluable experience for [the delegates], and their presence will benefit the adult delegates too." (John Prescott)

I also really enjoy telling prospective members about the project; they are amazed at how ambitious and pioneering we are.

Kate Lyons

Hi, I'm Kate, I'm 18 and I'm from Birmingham South East district. I've just finished doing A levels in Psychology, English Literature and Theatre Studies, and I'm hoping to go to Manchester University (grades providing..!) to study Psychology after taking a year out in which I'll be living in London and working abroad.

In the last few years Woodcraft feels like it's taken over my life, leading to many weekends and holidays full of making crazy dashes around the country - always fun! - and even to registering a Birmingham DF group of which I am one of the leaders.

I actually didn't believe it when I was picked for the delegation, I had to get someone else to read the message to make sure! Already I'm having an amazing experience, for example I recently attended my local electoral count, and the respect the councillors treated me with when they found out I was going was an unbelievable feeling: it completely renewed my faith in politicians and the fact that even one person can make a difference if they are given the opportunity.

I know that being part of this delegation is a huge responsibility, and I'm going to have a lot to prove to many people; I have every intention of doing it!

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

I am Lloyd and am 15 and in Year Ten. I attended the Woodcraft International Camp last summer. I was on the Council of Ministers and helped organised the two Woodcraft Earth Summits which over 400 people attended and the declaration was produced.

I have been going to Woodcraft since I was six years old, I am now an Venturer and Venturer Leader in Lewes. I am interested in Politics, Public Speaking, Media, Drama and Geography as well the Sciences all of which I am taking for my GCSEs next year.

I am really excited about going to Johannesburg and am now in the process of researching things for the Earth Summit. Earlier this year I attended the UK UNED forum in London which was really useful for back ground information to the WSSD.

I have recently been elected as the Member of the UK Youth Parliament for the Lewes and Wealden constituencies and am the UKYP Deputy of Environment for the South East. I hope to put all my skills to good use and represent the woodcraft folk delectation to the best of my ability.

Rachel Schon

Hi, I'm Rachel, I'm 14 and from Camden district Venturers. I couldn't believe it when I found out I was going to be part of the delegation but now I'm really looking forward to going to Johannesburg in August and representing Woodcradft. This is an amazing opportunity not only for all of us individually but for the Folk and I'm going to do my best to make the most of it!

Rhiannon Johns

I'm Rhiannon (folk name Rhino) from Ealing District and I'm 21 years old. I have always been interested in the environment and am currently in my final year at Sussex University studying Geography with Development Studies.

I am really looking forward to going to Johannesburg as I think it will be such an amazing opportunity for Woodcraft Folk and young people everywhere to get involved in the decision making process of a World Summit.

I hope that some of the experience I have gained through being in Woodcraft as well as my degree can be put to good use, making sure that the principles of Woodcraft Folk and our declaration can be heard. We cannot let this moment pass us by and need to make sure what we believe in is translated into policy the world over.

Richard Lace