[Boycott - Academic]

Woodcraft Folk youth movement joins Israel Boycott

Charley Allan, woodcraft.org.uk
5 July 2010

Youth movement the Woodcraft Folk joined the growing boycott of Israel this weekend at their annual gathering.

Woodcraft Folk vote at annual gathering for
complete boycott of Israel

Conference solidly backed the motion, which called for a complete boycott until the blockade is lifted.

Inside a spacious marquee pitched in the heart of Ashdown Forest, west Sussex, the 150 delegates also debated changing their organisational structure to comply with charity laws, with members opting in principle for a centralised branch rather than federal model.

A motion calling for the Folk to drop green as its signature colour was defeated after Central Barnet Elfin rep Armando Allan, who at nine years old was conference's youngest-ever delegate, insisted that "green is the colour of growth and nature - we should keep it."

Woodcraft Folk

The Woodcraft Folk, established in 1925, is a unique progressive youth movement consisting of around 500 youth groups in the UK. They are part of the peace movement and core principles include:

"We seek to develop in our members a critical awareness of the world. We will work to develop the knowledge, attitudes, values and skills necessary for them to act to secure their equal participation in the democratic process that will enable them to bring about the changes that they feel are necessary to create a more equal and caring world."

The groups are divided by age, starting at pre-school right up to 21 years old. For more information vist their website at www.woodcraft.org.uk

Organisers for next year's International Camp of Co-operation in Walesby forest, which will see thousands of children and young people come together from across the globe, also held their AGM, with steering committee chairwoman Zoe Waterman calling for "the most co-operative, inclusive and empowering international camp ever."

Closing the conference, general council chairman Lloyd Russell-Moyle highlighted new dangers from the Con-Dem government, insisting that "we need to focus our work with the co-operatives, with the trade unions - all those on the progressive left need to work together.

"This movement is a fundamental part of progressive Britain and a progressive world."

(This article was written by Woodcraft Folk delegate Charley Allan and appeared in the Morning Star. You can see it at: http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/92363)

Source: http://www.woodcraft.org.uk/news/article/4657

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The fight against Israeli apartheid BDS is about building an international movement to isolate Israel economically, culturally and academically. It is about persuading artists, writers, and performers not to work in Israel. It is about identifying Israeli products and pressing importers and outlets not to stock them..