Fairtrade
What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional international trade. It is a sustainable trading partnership with disadvantaged producers in the 'third world'. It aims to improve livelihoods by giving producers more control over their lives. Fair trade works by giving producers increased market access to the developed world, and it strengthens producer organisations. We need to keep promoting Fairtrade to ensure people know that buying Fairtrade products can make a positive difference.
Why should Christians be concerned about Fairtrade?
- Fairtrade allows all of us, as the 'Body of Christ,' to demonstrate our solidarity with the poor and disadvantaged rural producers in the underdeveloped world
- Fairtrade helps show other local communities that we have a practical commitment to helping those in need
- Fairtrade helps us in working in unity with other churches supporting Fairtrade
- Fairtrade gives us all something extra to feel proud about as Catholics and Christians
- Fairtrade enables individual members of our congregations to try the excellent range of Fairtrade products
We are a Fairtrade Church and part of a Fairtrade Diocese !
In December 2005 our application to become a Fairtrade church was approved by the Fairtrade Foundation. What this means is that a parish community we are committed to:- Using Fairtrade tea and coffee for all meetings for which the cathedral has responsibility,
- Move forward to using other Fairtrade products such as biscuits, sugar and fruit,
- Promote the Fairtrade mark at events during Fairtrade Fortnight and through other events when possible.
In practical terms, as a parish community we have to progress in our usage of Fairtrade products, not just use a token amount of tea and coffee!
On 4 February 2006 Bishop Crispian was presented with the certificate from the Fairtrade Foundation signifying that our Diocese has become a Fairtrade diocese. Two weeks later our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Anglican Diocese of Portsmouth were also awarded Fairtrade Diocese status.
St. John Cathedral Fairtrade Group
The St. John’s Cathedral Fairtrade Group is committed to strengthening the Fairtrade movement by selling fairly traded goods from under-developed countries and by campaigning for changes to the world economic order to end discrimination against the poorest in our global society. We are represented on the Portsmouth Fairtrade Forum. Our activities include:
- Working with other fair traders in the Portsmouth area, the group is able to support events such as church fetes with a stall selling Fairtrade products.
- Providing advice on promoting Fairtrade to schools, parishes and other organisations.
- A speaker is available to talk to interested groups about Fairtrade.
The Group welcomes more members, with skills from running a stall to book-keeping and campaigning. The usual commitment is a couple of hours a month.
For more details please contact:
- Mike Dobson on 07752 492055 or mike.dobson@yahoo.net
What can I do?
At home: Fairtrade Fortnight is 25 February to 9 March 2008. This year's theme is “Change Today - Choose Fairtrade” to encourage people to make Fairtrade products a regular feature of their shopping baskets. The Fairtrade Foundation says that many people who are sympathetic towards buying Fairtrade products miss out on the range now available either because of habit or because they're unaware of what they could buy. But even a small change in shopping habits can make a real difference to poverty. In 2003 there were only about 150 products with the Fairtrade logo. Now there are more than 1,300! Besides the familiar tea, coffee, chocolate and bananas, more recently there are cotton clothes, footballs, wine and fresh flowers. Don’t just think of Fairtrade being about coffee or bananas. Look out for other types of products with the Fairtrade logo. Aim to make the full range part of your regular shopping trolley.
Check out the Fairtrade Foundation site for the full range of products available.
At work: Promote Fairtrade Fortnight in your workplace/school/parish. Is your staff restaurant or café using Fairtrade products? If not, ask them to consider adding Fairtrade items onto the menu.
Links:
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Downloads
Leaflet: Christians and Fairtrade (pdf)Leaflet: Fairtrade Action in Portsmouth (pdf)
Leaflet: Fairtrade Organisations (pdf)
Leaflet: Trade Justice Organisations (pdf)
Certificate: Fairtrade Church (jpg)