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Introduction of Elle DODD
Elle DODD
Wednesday, December 11, 2002 1:40 AM
Hello and seasons greetings to all!
Where to start? At the beginning might be a good idea! OK I joined this
group near the beginning as an observer as the topic sounded very
interesting and I wished to find out more. What I have read so far has been
very exciting and stimulating although I must admit I have not quite
understood all of it! I'm not sure quite what I can contribute to the group
but I will see how things progress.
I am a member of a United Kingdom based organization called the Woodcraft
Folk; despite what it sounds like this isn't a carpentry class or an elf
movement! It's a 20,000 strong co-operative youth movement based on peace
equality and building a better world for future generations. I joined the
group when I was 7 years old and have been a member just over half my life.
(That makes me 15 by my maths! Although after many patronizing and
tokenistic experiences I like to be as subtle as possible regarding my age!
I prefer to live in hope that without knowledge of my age, perhaps I could
be treated however I deserve, regardless of my age! In an unageist and
equal world maybe it might happen, maybe! Rant over!)
After a six year project based on sustainability culminating in a two week
international event for 4,000 young people from across the globe last year
we decided that we should take the knowledge and experience we had gained
to the world summit this summer. So we did! 11 young people including
myself went to the WSSD in Johannesburg for 2 weeks as part of the youth
caucus. It was, how can I put it, an interesting experience, I would never
ever say I regret it, not in a million years but there were instances of
hurt and of pain, of sorrow and of despair but despite what was reported in
the press I feel that as a youth caucus we made much progress.
Just like the world leaders, there were arguments and divisions but
together we influenced the governments through lobbying and protest; and we
fought hard to rectify the appalling actions being undertaken by many of
the government officials. I met many amazing people and it was heart
warming and gives me great hope for the future to see so many other young
people, the new generation of world leaders, possibly even in the world
parliament we are trying to create, that had the same ideals and principals
for a better world. And that, I guess, is how I became a part of this
group!
When I sit in a classroom at school and contemplate: how many lives have
been lost unnecessarily even since I have been born; the environmental and
social damage caused by selfishness and the conflicts and hostility that
suffocate and destroy what must once have been such a beautiful planet to
inhabit, it makes me wonder why in all the years that the human race has
been in existence-why could it not learn to live in peace, accept others
for who they are and respect the world they have been given the opportunity
to inhabit!
I hope that I will learn more about the society we live in and possibly
even feel able to contribute something valuable to your discussions. I look
forward to more intellectually inspiring discussions.
Love to All
Elle
ps: there's this really good website : www.woodcraft.org.uk/earthsummit its all about what I've been doing in * South Africa * over the summer! check it out and sign the declaration!
(n. f. I have gone to the website and it is incredible. The thought and work
that these young people are bringing to this world is the hope for the
future. Check it out, it is inspiring. - RW)
WP21 Alliance Forum on a World Parliament for the 21st Century
E-mail : world-parl@forums.alliance21.org
Fax 1 717 264 5036
Information, inscriptions, désinscriptions: germa@alliance21.org
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