P&P Campaigner Profile: Georgia Munnion
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.
Georgia Munnion
How old are you? 20
Where are you studying? Rose Bruford College
What are you studying? European Theatre Arts
What inspired you to start campaigning? My campaigning inspiration began when I was in Secondary School in Portugal, and head of a Society that worked towards helping those less fortunate, and raising awareness about social and environmental issues. After two years of constant achievements and accomplishment of aims, I was eager to carry out similar actions in my College. Being part of such a small College, with great creative potential, I realised how important it was to make a difference within and around the grounds. Thus, I set up the Rose Bruford Green Society in order to, primarily, raise awareness about environmental and social issues, as well as take action to improve the College’s environmental status.
Describe your most memorable P&P experience. At the Forum last year, it took us almost two hours to reach a consensus decision on what the next topic of debate should be!
How did you first hear about P&P? Through my brother, who was Regional Rep. of Scotland last year. He invited me along to a few events, where I had the opportunity to meet new and inspirational people, encouraging me to want to get actively involved in P&P.
What’s the best thing about being involved in a P&P group? Collaborating with people who have similar goals and aims, and are all working towards a sense of achievement and determination.
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 firmly believe that the majority of young people nowadays are not aware of the social injustice that takes place around them and, more often than not, affects them directly. Hence, I believe raising awareness to be the primary incentive towards engaging them in campaigning for social justice, through the use of means which appeal to them directly. For example, as a Drama College, our Society makes use of creative and ‘theatrical’ means to raise awareness and appeal to the student body.
What was the last film you watched? ‘Saving Iceland’, a documentary about plans to build dams and geo-thermal plants in numerous areas throughout the country.
Where would you most like to visit? Nepal, as I am currently sponsoring two children at a school there, called Shree Mangal DVIP. In Secondary School, my group raised enough money to sponsor a day student and a border for 5 years. We frequently exchange letters, in which they refer to me as “Mum” and thank me for the sponsorship. My school in Portugal has now established firm links with SMD, such as providing one of their students with a scholarship to study the IB there. My family is currently hosting him for three years. As the children and the school are so close to my heart, it is my goal when I have finished my course to visit them and lead them in drama workshops.
What are your ambitions for the future? To set up a theatre company that provides children with special needs, with drama workshops. Once established, I would like to travel around and take these workshops to other countries, on a voluntary basis. I would also like to be a part-time stage actor.
