The following’s come over my desk and will be of interest to some of you:
Official launch of the new ACT Fair Trade Collective at Wagonga Coffee Roastery in Mitchell.
The ACT Fair Trade Collective was launched on Thursday 17 March 2011 in the presence of stakeholders from Fair Trade businesses and non-government organisations at the new Wagonga Coffee Roastery in Mitchell.
The launch gathered representatives and keynote speakers from the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand (FTAANZ), the Fairtrade Licensing and Labelling Office and the ACT Fair Trade Collective.
“The Collective will be working to cultivate a vibrant Fair Trade market in the local region by supporting new and existing Fair Trade businesses, conducting outreach activities and work towards a ‘Fair Trade City’ certification for Canberra.”
“We want to raise the profile of the Fair Trade principle and awareness of the availability of Fairtrade Certified products within the ACT,” ACT Fair Trade Collective Co-ordinator Jennifer Taylor said.
Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand (FTAANZ) Fairtrade Licensing and Labelling Officer Audrey Jacometti noted that the consumption of Fairtrade Certified products in Australia and New Zealand has grown from $50 million dollars in 2009 to $150 million dollars in 2010.
“Consumers are making the ‘big swap’ to products that provide farmers in developing countries the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future,” Ms Jacometti said.
During ‘National Fair Trade Fortnight’ from 7 to 21 May, Peruvian craft producer Cecilia Granadino of Minka Fair Trade will be visiting Canberra to share her experiences of how Fair Trade has made a difference to her community and give a voice to producers worldwide who have benefited from this initiative.
The ACT Fair Trade Collective will be organising a range of activities including a workshop for Year 9-10 students from a range of ACT schools, a networking event for public sector workplaces, engagement with members of the international community and the launch of a Fair Trade Shopping guide for the Canberra region.
About the Collective
The ACT Fair Trade Collective is made up of volunteers from the local community including Fair Trade retailers, academics and students, and supports the work of FTAANZ and the Oxfam ACT Committee.The strategic direction of the group is based on a multifaceted approach of availability, awareness and community engagement to raise the profile of the Fair Trade principle and Fairtrade Certified products within the ACT.
About Fair Trade
Fair Trade addresses the injustices of conventional trade by providing a better deal and sustainable business practices to farmers in developing countries. Products bearing the Fair Trade Label guarantee a minimum price covering production costs, a premium for local infrastructure projects, access to low cost, safer environmental standards and fair labour practices.If you would like to know more information about Fair Trade or get involved with the activities of the Collective, email actfairtrade@gmail.com
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