P&P Campaigner Profile: Matt Mcmullen
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.
Matt Mcmullen
How old are you? 17
Where are you studying? Chipping Campden School (Cotswolds)
What are you studying? A-Levels; Sociology, Business Studies and Media Studies
What inspired you to start campaigning? I have always been interested in the world and cultures that surround me and a year or so ago I started reading political and sociological literature which really got me interested in new ideas and also concerned with the world’s situation. From then I felt I could not just stand by and watch what’s happening all around the world and I needed to actively do something to stop the suffering and poverty.
Describe your most memorable P&P experience. Having only been involved in P+P for about 6 months I only have a small collection to pick from, but it would have to be Shared Planet 07. It was a great eye opening weekend and it was exciting to be surrounded by like-minded people and learning so many new things. The samba band was awesome as well.
How did you first hear about P&P? I wanted to start a Fairtrade campaign group at my sixth form so I went to see my head of year who pointed me in the direction of P&P, who couldn’t have been any more perfect and have opened up a whole new world to me. I’m glad I started the group as it has been one of the most satisfying things I have done.
What is the best thing about being in a P&P group? It empowers you; you get to actively make a difference to the problems that concern you.
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? Tell them the facts just like P&P are doing now. Tell them that they don’t just need to sit back, listen and buy, they need to speak out, they CAN make a difference.
Young people need to know what’s going on in the world and know that it won’t just go away and that they are the future and need to help change things.
What was the last film you watched? With relevance to campaigning it is “Taking Liberties”; a great film for activists. With no relevance to campaigning it is “Space Odyssey 2001”
Where would you most like to visit? I would love to visit Gaza Strip/Palestine, Africa or Chiapas (Mexico) to meet people and experience their cultures first hand. But more realistically I’d love to visit and go trekking on the Isle of Skye (Scotland) and be stuck in the middle of the mountains again.
What are your ambitions for the future? I wish to go on to university to study “Third World Development” joint with “Sociology” and carry on campaigning with P&P. Then maybe move on to working for NGOs in Africa or take my campaigning further in the UK.
Read about the Chipping Campden group’s fantastic Fairtrade Fortnight plans
