P&P campaigner profile: Emma Hughes
Every fortnight 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 get in touch with us. This month's offering is one of the student members of P&P's Management Committee...
Emma (centre) stands up to e$$o
Name: Emma Hughes
Age: 25
School/university: Cardiff University
What are you studying? Journalism (PhD)
What inspired you to start campaigning? Anger at the many different kinds of injustice that exist in this world and frustration that there seemed to be nothing I could do about them. Campaigning was a great way to channel these potentially very negative feelings into something positive.
Describe your most memorable P&P experience. A tough choice! Either being part of People & Planet’s Summer Gathering during the G8 in 2005 or cycling to Shared Planet. The eco-camp we stayed at was beautiful and it really demonstrated just how wonderful and practical ‘alternative’ living can be. Another great memory is cycling from Cardiff to London for this year’s Shared Planet. A very arduous four days but an immensely satisfying feeling upon arrival! Another memory would be finally meeting with Cardiff Uni’s Vice Chancellor after three years of working on the Go Green campaign - we made him listen eventually!
Why did you decide to stand to be on the Management Committee (MC)? As I’ve become more and more involved in P&P I’ve realised that democracy lies at the heart of the organisation. The great thing about People & Planet is that it really is student-led - it’s what makes us the vibrant, diverse and radical network we are. I wanted to help further P&P’s commitment to being truly democratic - sitting on the Management Committee was a great way to do that.
What have you enjoyed most about being on the MC? Getting to know the P&P staff, gaining a greater understanding of how P&P works and feeling able to contribute something valuable to an organisation I really care about.
What have you found most challenging? The budget - always the budget!
Who should think about standing to be on the MC? Someone who really cares about the P&P network and is deeply committed to improving democracy within P&P. You don’t need to have been in P&P for very long - the most important thing is that you’re enthusiastic - ooh and it helps if you like houmous and tea as well!
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? Save the toughie to last! I think lots of young people care about ethical issues - but such complex and difficult problems can often leave people feeling powerless in the face of forces much larger than themselves. But groups like P&P can still empower young citizens - by giving them the skills they need and ensuring they have confidence in their own abilities. Young people need to be shown that power resides not just with policy-makers, big companies etc. but with them; once a person believes they have the power to make a difference it’s amazing how unapathetic they will be!
There are 4 spaces for students on the P&P management committee, beginning in July. Elections for these places will take place at The Forum in March.
