P&P Campaigner Profile: Sarah Diaper
Every month People & Planet profiles an individual campaigner, in order for us to celebrate and highlight what P&Pers are doing. If you think one of your friends should be displayed on this page then then get in touch with us. This month's offering is...
Sarah Diaper
Name: Sarah Diaper
Age: 18
School/university: Truro College, Cornwall (just left!)
What are you studying? A-Levels in Geography, English Language, Sociology and General Studies
What inspired you to start campaigning? I was always very conscious of the inequalities of our world and studying World Development at AS got me to actually do something about it! I thought just thinking the worlds unfair wasnīt good enough, I needed to act upon my thoughts! Also having Geography lecturers and family which are very passionate about the issues People and Planet campaign about helped.
Describe your most memorable P&P experience: We organised a Fair-trade Chocolate tasting for our college and the amount of people that were interested including lots of lecturers was super! We educated and encouraged a lot of people who had wrong mindsets about fair-trade products being horrible and expensive. We had over 1000 signatures and then presented them to our Principal who started to change things for the better! He is also now wanting to become a Fair-trade College and the produce we have integrated into the collegeīs catering outlets are going down well.
How did you first hear about P&P? What’s the best thing about being involved in a P&P group? I first heard about it at a workshop at college. The guy who was doing the workshop asked if anyone wanted to be in a group and it went from there. The best thing about being in a P&P group is the fact that you are actively doing something to get the most pressing issues in the world known. I think itīs brilliant that you can also share your ideas with people who feel just as enthusiastic as you do.
With many commentators suggesting that apathy is rife amongst young people, what can be done to engage young people in the campaign for social justice? I think that a lot of young people are aware of social justice and want to help but donīt actually know how to. I also think many young people think whatever they do is not going to change anything so whatīs the point. I feel colleges and universities should encourage their students to act upon what they think as it is important! I think young people need to see the big picture and that what they do now will change things for the next generation and the next. Of course the government needs to get more involved and admit that there needs to be a radical change in the unsustainable attitude our country has to everyday life.
What do you think is the most pressing issue in the UK today? For the UK climate change is definitely the most pressing issue. I think it is so worrying that a lot of people donīt even know what exactly climate change is and how big the effect is upon our country. I strongly feel that the Government should do more, a lot more to do with ensuring people know the damage that climate change is doing and how we ALL contribute to it. People need to know that switching your TV off instead of on standby or turning down your thermostat is so important and if everyone does it there will be a reduction in greenhouse gases.
What was the last album you listened to? We are Scientists — With love and squalor
Where would you most like to visit? Iīve been to Morocco which was amazing so would like to visit other places in Africa. Also South America, New Zealand…most places!
What are your ambitions for the future? To get my degree and eventually teach in Africa as it has always been a passion of mine. Also to see a difference in the UKīs mindset of “Oh well, itīs not our problem” - IT IS OUR PROBLEM!
