Fairtrade Foundation Annual Review 2008/2009
As Chair of the Fairtrade Foundation, I'm delighted to present the Annual Review for 2008/2009.
In the second year of our Tipping the Balance strategy, we now face not only the goals we set ourselves, of scaling up the reach and impact of Fairtrade, but also the challenges imposed upon us by the global economic downturn.
My experience in building strong brands and consumer marketing allows me to be confident that shoppers will continue to trust in and choose the FAIRTRADE Mark. read more
I visited Rwanda earlier this year where I spoke to government ministers in Kigali and also visited coffee and tea growers. I saw how the democratically elected farmers' committees work together and decide how to distribute the Fairtrade premiums within their community. I saw the nursery schools they had built, their investment in skills and training, and the improvement in the quality of their coffee.
I met people like Juvenal Rurangwa and Jemma Uwera who were working hard to rebuild their lives. The key to their success was co-operation. All they asked was the dignity of a fair price for their efforts.
Our achievements this year have continued to be a source of pride, and as we look forward, the co-operation I saw in Rwanda will inspire us; as we build new coalitions and forge fresh partnerships with producers, NGO partners, business and consumers to make the voice of our people’s movement for change even louder. hide full statement
DAVID CLAYTON-SMITH
Chair of the Fairtrade Foundation Board