Regional Event Inspires P&P students in the North West
The North West´s first ever People & Planet Regional Event, held in Preston on Saturday 3 Feb, saw over 30 students from Lancaster, Liverpool, Manchester Met, Manchester Uni, and UCLan gather to learn new skills and plan some action.
Brainstorming ideas for action
Image © Joe Bardwell
Students learn about nuclear disarmament at the NW training event
Image © Joe Bardwell
Sarah Riddel from UCLan P&P group reports:
There were workshops on everything from using the media, facilitation skills, and knowing your rights in direct actions, to nuclear disarmament (by someone from CND), the slave trade past and present (by members of Lancaster P&P), trade justice, and go green. They were extremely informative and interesting, allowing us to attain a fuller understanding of the issues involved.
After a slightly late start (thanks to the great British rail system!), workshops were held in blocks of three at a time, each lasting 90 minutes. All were really successful in getting everyone involved, and inspiring us into action.
After the first workshops, during the lunchtime hunt for food, conversation turned to what we had just learned, and how this would be a great help in improving our future campaigns.
Later in the day everyone got together to discuss future events. We decided to unite the North West in action for the first time, to take action against Primark in Manchester for Fairtrade Fortnight.
At the end of the day we all let our hair down at a fab after-party in Preston city centre. Some of the people had to leave early to travel back home, but the night was amazing fun with members of P&P in Preston eventually going to bed with satisfied smiles all round.
Many thanks to Rich Wyatt, North West Regional Rep, for organising a brilliant day.
Students discuss how to use the media effectively
Image © Joe Bardwell
Image © Joe Bardwell