Span the World with Friendship - by Douglas Bourn & Richard Palser (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

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.

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