FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 2006
During Fairtrade Fortnight this year Oxfam Ireland welcomed Alivera Kiiza from the Karagwe Cooperative Development Union (KDCU), a coffee cooperative in Tanzania, to talk about what Fairtrade meant for her, her family, and her community.
In July 2005, Alivera, attended the G8 summit in Scotland. She was one of 8 African women (the W8) who went to Edinburgh to tell their stories to the G8 leaders about challenging poverty in their own countries.
Alivera spoke at a number of events and commented that Fairtrade provides a reliable income for producers like herself, because the Fairtrade system guarantees a minimum price for her coffee. Fairtrade also provides a Premium which goes to community projects and Alivera noted that her community used their premium for running their local secondary school.
QUEENS GAIN
FAIRTRADE STATUS
Pupils from Victoria College and St Matthew's Primary came along to the Ulster Hall to mark Fairtrade Fortnight in Belfast. Students from Queens University illustrated that Fairtrade goes beyond food and drink (although certification systems are different for craft and food), by putting on a Fairtrade Fashion show. It was also announced at the event that Belfast has been awarded Fairtrade status by Fairtrade Mark Ireland in Dublin, having already been awarded Fairtrade status by the Fairtrade Foundation in the UK in 2005.
Pictured left, Oxfam Ireland was also delighted to be asked to present the Fairtrade Certificate to Queens University in Belfast, after the university was awarded Fairtrade status. Oxfam Ireland Chair, Tony McMullan presented the certificate to Professor Peter Gregson (Queen's President and Vice Chancellor) and Ben Preston (Student's Union President).
