We are dedicated to building a more peaceful world where all enjoy freedom from war and want. Through our work we explore the causes of conflict and promote positive alternatives to violence. We believe in disarmament and the transfer of resources away from war and towards meeting human needs.
Our Aims & Principles
Woodcraft Folk’s work is rooted in the organisation’s Aims, Principles and Programme (APP) which are agreed by the Annual Conference. These underpin the way we work together and inform our activities.
We are the only youth organisation in the United Kingdom that encourages members to join both a Trade Union and a Co-operative, and our 9 core aims and principles form the basis of every group night and activity. They are in summary:
1. Who we are
We are an educational, empowerment and advocacy movement for children and young people, committed to the international co-operative principles.
Through our partners we work to be the educational and empowerment organisation of the Co-operative and Trade Union movements. We are open to all, and dedicated to building an environmentally sustainable world based on children’s rights, human rights, equality, friendship, peace, economic and social justice and co-operation.
2. Education for Social Change
Our young people develop critical thinking skills and we support them to become active in their community and the wider world
3. Co-operation
Our work is rooted in the values of the co-operative movement, connecting us to thousands of co-operatives and millions of co-operators across the world. We share in the work and share in the rewards.
4. International Friendship
Our motto is “Span the world with friendship” and we are the UK member of the IFM-SEI. We promote an understanding of the wider world, and the inequalities that exist within it. Our international links and the opportunities our young people have to meet their peers from round the world help to develop a global outlook.
5. Children’s Rights
In every aspect of our work we respect and defend the rights of all children and young people, and support them to recognise and take action when those rights are threatened.
6. Equality, Inclusion & Religion
We seek to build an inclusive movement that celebrates diversity, and is welcoming to young people of all faiths and none. We affirm young people’s identities, and seek to remove the barriers that exist to their participation in our movement and in wider society.
7. Nature, Environment and Our World
Through our work we encourage understanding, enjoyment and protection of our environment, locally and globally, and promote responsible use of our planet’s finite resources.
8. Peace
9. Politics and Affirmation
The Woodcraft Folk is political but not party political. Members are not allowed to use the Woodcraft Folk for party political aims, but they are encouraged to engage in politics and campaigns to ensure that we remain a movement dedicated to all people for all time.
We shall cry peace to all, And claim kinship with every living thing; That we hate War, Sloth and Greed, And love fellowship. And that we shall go singing to the fashioning of a new world.
Woodcraft Folk’s envoy or creed said at the start of each meeting.
