FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 2014
“POWER OF YOU”
Fairtrade Ireland’s catch phrase for 2014 “Power of You” certainly captured the mood in Carrick-on-Shannon this year as the whole town, at every level, came out to show how serious we are about fairness in trading, especially with developing nations. Many farmers and workers in developing countries struggle to provide for their families. Poor market access and unfair trade often mean that the price they get for their crop does not even cover the cost of production. The Fairtrade co-operative movement is set up to counteract this situation.
This year as part of Fairtrade Fortnight, we were lucky to have Alex Flores, a Fairtrade co-operative farmer with us for a day in Carrick-on-Shannon. He let us know how our town is so important to him, to his family and to his whole community.
Alex comes from the village of Chalatenango, El Salvador. He comes from a poor rural area, like many in the global south, with few opportunities. Since 2005 a group of Alex’s farmers became certified as Fairtrade so some of their poverty is eased. Families are now enabled to enjoy more social, economic and environmental well-being as they have also been able to become organically certified. They are still poor and suffer many infrastructural problems but by our continuing to buy Fairtrade products we are helping them enormously.
Great credit is due to the Leitrim County Council, the Chamber of Commerce as well as locals for the amazing presence shown on our Fairtrade day. School pupils put on a real display of colour and festivity and added to the occasion by impressing both visitors and locals alike. Leitrim’s County Manager Frank Curran, the Cathaoirleach Sean McDermott, Chamber President Gerry Faughnan all addressed the gathering and each welcomed Alex and the Executive Director of Fairtrade Ireland Peter Gaynor who came especially from Dublin with Alex to be with us.
Alex and Peter both spoke to us, leaving us with a feeling that the “power of you” is really in our own hands. They complimented us on our public display of skills shown on the day. We feel proud that we are able to continue as a Fairtrade town and help get guaranteed prices for farmers like Alex and make sure there is no child labour or exploitation of workers where Fairtrade co-operatives are found.
Liz Gallogly – Oasis Health Shop, and Nora at “The Power of You” Fairtrade campaign 2014
This year – 2014, Fairtrade Ireland has published revised Goals for Fairtrade Towns. These revised goals are the result of information gathered at consultation meetings held in Sligo, Carlow, Clonakilty, Limerick and Belfast. Many of us were at these meetings and thanks to Fairtrade Ireland they have listened carefully to our suggestions and presented just “Four Goals for a Fairtrade Town, City or other community -2014”
It is important that these goals (which can be accessed on the web) are studied and adhered to. By doing this we contribute to Fairtrade Ireland’s aim of “tackling poverty, by enabling disadvantaged producers from poor countries to receive a better deal, through encouraging support for the Fairtrade Mark.”
Nora Burke rsm
Western Province
