Press Release

Alivera Kiiza, a coffee producer from Tanzania will be visiting Belfast on Tuesday the 7th of March as part of Fairtrade Fortnight which takes place between the 6th and 19th of March. Last year Alivera Kiiza attended the G8 summit in Scotland. She was one of 8 African women who went to Scotland to tell their stories to the G8 leaders about challenging poverty in their own countries.

During Fairtrade Fortnight this year Oxfam Ireland is calling on shoppers to remember that unfair trade rules are still preventing millions of people across the world from working their way out of poverty. By shopping ethically and buying Fairtrade products whenever possible, the public can help break a global trading system that robs some of the world's poorest people.

The Fairtrade Belfast City group, which includes Oxfam, are holding a tea break in the Ulster Hall at which Alivera will be speaking about the importance of Fairtrade to her community in Tanzania. Fairtraders from St Matthew's Primary, Victoria College, and QUB will also be highlighting how they have been promoting Fairtrade.

After the Ulster Hall event Alivera will walk down to Oxfam's Fairtrade shop in Rosemary Street to meet shop staff and volunteer and customers. Shop Manager, Mary Cathcard commented, "We hope that during Fairtrade Fortnight the shop will be full of people. The fact that we have Alivera coming from Tanzania to talk firsthand about what Fairtrade really means to people in the developing world is a really big boost for us."

Fairtrade guarantees disadvantaged producers in the developing world a better deal for their produce, by guaranteeing farmers a fair and stable price for their products. A stable price for farmers means that they can properly plan their future for their families.

Fairtrade Producer visit to Fairtrade shop Cork

Alivera Kiiza, a Fairtrade coffee producer from Tanzania will be visiting the Oxfam Fair Trade shop in Cork on Friday 10th of March as part of Fairtrade Fortnight which takes place between the 6th and 19th of March. The Event is open to the public and starts at 7.00pm.

The Fairtrade shop in French Church Street, Cork only opened last December but has already established itself in the city, and had a very busy Christmas. Shop Manager, Margaret Daly-Dwyer commented, "We hope that during Fairtrade Fortnight the shop will be full of people. The fact that we have Alivera coming from Tanzania to talk firsthand abut what Fairtrade really means to people in the developing world is a really big boost for us."

Fairtrade guarantees disadvantaged producers in the developing world a better deal for their produce. Fairtrade guarantees that farmers receive a fair and stable price for their products regardless of market conditions. A stable price for farmers means that they can properly plan their future for their families. Alivera noted how important Fairtrade is for her local community, "We normally use our Premium from Fairtrade for running our secondary school and conducting workshops on organisational strengthening."

Notes to Editors

WHAT IS FAIRTRADE?

FAIRTRADE guarantees disadvantaged producers in the developing world a better deal.
The FAIRTRADE product price includes a premium, which is set aside for social and environmental projects in the producers community.
The FAIRTRADE Mark shares internationally recognised standards with initiatives in 20 other countries, working together as Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO).
The international FAIRTRADE system benefits more than five million farmers, workers and their families across 49 developing countries.

OXFAM AND FAIRTRADE

Oxfam Ireland has a very strong commitment to Fairtrade which is reflected in our overseas development work, as well as our retailing and campaigning in this country.
Oxfam Ireland has four Fair trade Shops - Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast. They stock the most comprehensive range of Fairtrade products available on the high street - including coffee, tea, chocolate. The shops also stock a wide variety of fairly traded handicrafts including home décor, jewellery, items for children and personal accessories.
Oxfam Ireland has been working with city and county councils around the country for the last four years with the support of Development Cooperation Ireland (DCI) and the Department for International Development (DFID) to promote Fairtrade.
Oxfam's sales of FAIRTRADE goods have been rapidly increasing in recent years.

Media Releases > Oxfam Ireland Press Release

Tanzania Fairtrade Producer visit to Belfast

Fairtrade Producer visit to Fairtrade shop Cork