Happy Fairtrade Christmas....and lots of Fairtrade cheer for 2013
Dear Friends
I hope you are looking forward to a relaxing time over Christmas as I am (well, amidst the usual family chaos!) fueled by a little indulgence of Fairtrade chocolate and wine... I will be out of the office from Friday 21st Dec, returning on Monday 7th January.
I wanted to update you on some exciting developments which I hope will inspire us as a Fairtrade Network for 2013.
The first good news is that we finally received our Fairtrade City renewal certificate (with huge apologies from the Foundation on how late it is)! I will send it to City Hall to be displayed.
Secondly, we have secured entrepreneur and chef (famous from 'Dragon's Den') Levi Roots to present the Fairtrade Business Awards - he has recently returned from a visit to Kuapa Kukoo Fairtrade cocoa co-operative in Ghana, so is well informed on Fairtrade and should make an excellent host. And the Co-op have agreed to be main sponsor of the event.
We also have an exciting partnership with the M Shed and Divine chocolate to hold a fabulous event for International Women's Day on Fri 8th March 6-9pm - Women, Honey and Chocolate! Tickets will include free entry to their special Chocolate! exhibition, as well as chocolate tastings, wine and nibbles, music and a chance to hear Agueda Ordenana, Fairtrade honey producer from Nicaragua and more.
Bristol Festival of Ideas is holding a Fairtrade related evening as Andrew Rugasira is speaking about Good African Coffee Company (see below)
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Andrew Rugasira: A Good African Story
Monday 18 February 2013, 18.15-19.15, Watershed, Bristol
Price: £7.00/ £6.00.
Using his experiences in running the Good African Coffee Company, Andrew Rugasira sets out the arguments for building a sustainable trade framework, reducing Africa’s reliance on aid handouts. This event is sponsored by Rathbone Greenbank Investments.
Further details and booking link
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Remember to get applications in for the Fairtrade Business Awards - deadline is 18th January - and encourage local shops and cafes that use Fairtrade to enter too. You can send them the link
www.bristolfairtrade.org.uk or print off an application form yourself and take it in to the manager. We need more applications!
We are holding our next Fairtrade Ambassadors training on Saturday 9th February. The training will be in the morning, and in the afternoon there will be a training session led by Oxfam on lobbying MPs on the new multi-agency Food campaign (which includes Fairtrade) - you can come to either session or both. Full details and to book a free place -
http://swvolunteertraining.eventbrite.co.uk/
Full details of Fairtrade Fortnight are on the attached press release, and we are meeting on WEDNESDAY 9th January 5.15pm at City Hall to discuss in more detail, so I hope you can join us then.
Thanks for all your help and support in promoting Fairtrade in the City.
I wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas
Jenny