A report from Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Irelands’ recent BASECAMP event for its local groups network, where Young Friends of the Earth was also participating. Written by Richard Sagar, Young Friends of the Earth EWNI.
From the 12-14 of July committed Friends of the Earth activists from England, Wales and Northern Ireland descended on the picturesque English village of Hartington in the peak district for the network annual get-together ‘Basecamp‘.
Unlike previous conferences this year’s meet up had a distinctly bottom-up, collaborative feel about it. In keeping with this theme, Young Friends of the Earth EWNI had our own space to hold workshops, discussions and plan future campaigns.
We held sessions on a range of issues one of which was jointly organised with Claire from ‘No Dash for Gas’ on the need to challenge the Government’s expansion of dirty energy. Which also provided an opportunity to promote the upcoming action camp ‘Reclaim the Power’ (for more info see the No Dash for Gas website).
We were also joined by an attendee of Global Power Shift to help plan the next, domestic, phase of the campaign.
Perhaps the most welcome surprise of the whole weekend was the continuous glorious sunshine. For most of Europe sunshine in summer is no big deal but in Britain this qualifies as a minor miracle.
While there were too many great memories, to mention a number of standout moments include a talk from Guardian journalist George Monbiot on the topic of Rewilding, and Elías Díaz Peña from Friends of the Earth Paraguay explaining the destruction of rainforest and indigenous communities being thrown off their land by powerful GM soy companies.
With the welcome news that Basecamp is set to return next year, we can begin planning to ensure that YFoE EWNI returns with more members that ever. I just hope the weather is the same as this year.