Great trade debate

Fairtrade Fortnight 2009 provides a fantastic opportunity to explore some of the issues connected to Fairtrade in more detail. The Fairtrade Foundation, along with its member organisations including the World Development Movement, Traidcraft, Oxfam and Christian Aid, organised a series of debates across the UK during the Fortnight. At these events, Fairtrade experts, politicians, commentators, business people and NGO representatives debated issues around ethical consumerism, fair trade versus free trade, climate change, trade justice and the future of Fairtrade.

All events were open to the public and free of charge.   Download the printable flyer.
 

Oxford

Is trade justice a lost cause? Monday 23 February, Oxford Town Hall, 7-9pm

Chair:

• Alex Nicholls, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship, Said Business School

Confirmed speakers include:

• Harriet Lamb, Executive Director, Fairtrade Foundation;
• John Hilary, Director, War on Want
• Andrew Mitchell, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development
• Edwin Laurent, Former Special Envoy to the EU for the Windward Islands

Cardiff

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Chair:

• Jane Davidson AM, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Confirmed speakers include:

• Benedict Southworth, Director, World Development Movement
• Mark Varney, Head of Commercial Relations, Fairtrade Foundation
• Peter Griffiths, author of The Economist's Tale: A Consultant Encounters Hunger and the World Bank
• Alec van Gelder, Network Director, International Policy Network
  

Birmingham

Fairtrade futures: can Fairtrade transform global trade? Monday 2 March, Birmingham Hippodrome, 7-9pm

Chair:

• Nick Mathiason, Business Correspondent, Observer

Confirmed speakers include:

• Rob Cameron, CEO, Fairtrade Labelling Organisation International
• Paul Chandler, CEO, Traidcraft
• Alex Cole, Global Corporate Affairs Director, Cadbury
• Gareth Thomas, Minister for Business and Development

Edinburgh

Can your shopping basket change the world? Wednesday 4 March, Royal College of Physicians, Queen Street, 7-9pm

Confirmed speakers include:

• John McAllion, Chair of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum (chair)
• Ann McKechin, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Scotland Office
• Ian Bretman, Deputy Director, Fairtrade Foundation
• Malcolm Brown, Head of Corporate Communications, Scotmid
  

Leeds

Can we have it all? Creating an economy for people and planet.

Unfortunately this event has been cancelled. We hope to hold this debate later in the year.

Further debates are being held by organisations and campaign groups around the country. To find out about debates near you check out the events calendar.