Does Fairtrade have a future? Public debate November 17th

PUBLIC DEBATE ON FAIRTRADE

KENSAL GREEN ON THURS 17 NOV

Brent Fairtrade Network is joining with Fairtrade groups in Harrow, Ealing, Hounslow, Richmond and Kingston to host a debate on the future of Fairtrade on

Thursday 17 November 7-9 pm at St Martin’s Church, Kensal Green,

Mortimer Road, NW10 5SN.

All are welcome and entry is free. We shall be discussing topics such as the following:

•   Is the Fairtrade model still a good one?

•   Why not a Fairtrade label for manufactured goods?

•   Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade: are two labels needed?

•   Why do we need the Fairtrade Sourcing Programme?

•   Workers’ wages and rights raised by the critical SOAS report in 2014 “Fairtrade, Employment and Poverty Reduction in Ethiopia and Uganda”

•   What is the future of ethical certification?

•   How should Fairtrade respond to the proliferation of schemes?

We have a great line up of speakers to discuss these topics with:

•   Anne Cooper, Oxfam

•   Barbara Crowther, Fairtrade Foundation

•   Stuart Singleton-White, Rainforest Alliance

•   Vidya Rangan, ISEAL: global movement of sustainability standards

The event starts at 7 pm with Fairtrade refreshments and stall: bring cash or cheques for early Christmas shopping. From 7.30 pm we shall hear briefly from the speakers on the topics above before opening up discussion, ending by 9 pm. 

If you plan to attend please register: www.eventbrite.com/e/does-fairtrade-have-a-future-tickets-28817702524  This helps us with the planning – but you are welcome to come even without registering.

Lucas calls for redoubling of Syrian aid efforts following Commons vote

Following Thursday’s parliamentary vote against military intervention in Syria, the Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion is calling for a redoubling of humanitarian support to the region.

Caroline Lucas said:

“Whatever the political significance of (Thursday’s) vote, it’s vital that the focus urgently shifts now to humanitarian support for the victims of the conflict.

“There are millions of people who have lost their homes, or are in urgent need of medical care.
“We are hearing from development agencies, including Oxfam, that the situation facing refugees, in Syria and the wider region, is appalling. More than eight million people are now in desperate need of supplies.

“As a matter of urgency we should be increasing aid to Syria’s neighbours to help them support the families forced to seek refuge.

 “A huge amount of political energy has been focused on getting ready for a military strike.  If even just a fraction of those resources could be directed towards this humanitarian crisis, we could do much to reduce further suffering and loss of life."

Lucas also called for the perpetrators of chemical weapons attacks to be referred to the International Criminal Court.

“Crimes against humanity and international law have been committed.  Once there is evidence of responsibility for these appalling attacks, those responsible must be dealt with by the International Criminal Court.”