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The first major academic study of the Woodcraft Folk, this volume evaluates how a cooperative youth movement fostered socialist education and international solidarity. For nearly a century, the Woodcraft Folk has championed radical social change through education, but its contributions remain largely overlooked in histories of progressive youth movements.
Span the World with Friendship is the first major academic study of this pioneering organization, tracing its role in fostering internationalism, cooperative learning, and environmental activism long before these became mainstream concerns. The Woodcraft Folk's impact is inspected through diverse disciplinary perspectives, including political theory, anthropology, and youth work studies. Through a review of multiple archival sources--letters, meeting records, and oral testimonies--contributors bring a critical lens to a movement often narrated uncritically.
Beginning with a biography of founder Leslie Paul, the book looks into the Folk's relationship with the labor movement, its engagement with eugenics debates, and its use of folk traditions as tools for social cohesion. Concluding with an exploration of its transition into a youth-led movement, this volume positions the Woodcraft Folk within broader discussions on education for global justice and activism, ensuring its legacy is finally given the academic attention it deserves.
About the author
Douglas Bourn is professor of development education at UCL and the author of numerous books on education for social change, global learning, and social justice.
Richard Palser is a retired Further Education lecturer and an independent researcher and writer on the history of the Woodcraft Folk.
