The project was launched on the 3rd May with a conference hosted by Penglais School which was attended by over 90 school councillors from the 10 participating schools.
At the conference, presentations and activities showed how trading fairly with developing countries is changing the lives of poor farmers and producers, how local support for Fairtrade is contributing to this and the part that schools can play by working to achieve Fairtrade status.
Highlights from the conference included speakers, Mark Richardson from Fairtrade Wales and Joan Karanja from Kenya, the programme coordinator for the African Co-operation for Fairtrade in Africa and the presence of the Global Banner.
The Fairtrade banner has travelled through more than 50 countries around the world since it left Mumbai, India in January 2004.
There were an hour and a half of exciting hands on activities for the pupils including Fairtrade “Ready , Steady Cook”, Fairtrade Fruit Printing on Fairtrade Cotton, Fairtrade Food Tastings and games like “Where in the World is this Food Grown?” and The Persuasion Game.
Everyone had the opportunity to sample Fairtrade snacks and drinks during the morning.
The members of the school councils went back to their schools full of enthusiasm and with lots of good ideas on how to start the practical work of becoming a Fairtrade school.
Thanks should go to all the dedicated volunteers who prepared and ran the wonderful workshops throughout the day.
A special thanks to the pupils of the Penglais Fairtrade Group and Rhydypennau School for their special contributions.
Without all of you, this conference could not have happened.
If we can all continue to work together we can easily achieve our shared goal of becoming Fairtrade Schools!
Also, we are indebted to the Co-op, Tropical Wholefoods, Tropical Forest Products, and Traidcraft for donating all the wonderful Fairtrade snacks and beverages we sampled throughout the morning.
Lastly, much appreciation to Fairtrade Wales, Oxfam Cymru, Christian Aid Cymru, the Fairtrade Foundation, Christian Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), Powys Environment and Development Education Centre (PEDEC) and Divine Chocolate for their support and advice as well as for all the wonderful Fairtrade materials they provided for your Fairtrade packs.
© 2007 Fair Trade Schools North Ceredigion