Fairtrade Supporter Conference 2009:
Building a peoples' movement for change
This event is now full and registration has closed
At this event supporters will hear what new Fairtrade products are in the pipeline, discuss how Fairtrade fits into a world adapting to climate change, learn more about trade justice, meet other Fairtrade campaigners and find out how they can get involved. Featuring expert speakers from the Fairtrade movement, Fairtrade farmers, workshops, lively debate and of course some Fairtrade sampling.
About the day
- Speakers include George Alagiah, journalist and news presenter.
- Workshops - a choice of informative and interactive workshops. See below.
- Market place - Fairtrade product and campaign stalls for information on Fairtrade activties and Fairtrade sampling.
- Debate - Expert speakers and questions from the floor to explore and debate sustainable consumption.
- Fairtrade surgery- One of many opportunities to have all your questions answered and Fairtrade myths busted!
- Evening social - meet other supporters and join staff and representatives from the Fairtrade movement for a drink after the event.
Workshop choices
Submit your registration details below to secure your place at the event. You will be able to attend 1 workshop during the day, each workshop has been designed to suit a specific level of understanding about Fairtrade (either basic, intermediate or advanced) so please make sure you sign up for the workshop that best fits you. Click each workshop to find out what it's about.
Workshop 1: Fairtrade Schools
Knowledge level
Mixed
Objective
To show the 'richness' of Fairtrade as a topic, and how schools can engage with materials and information to explore Fairtrade in the context of sustainable development, justice, interdependence.
Description
A workshop for teachers and school staff about getting into the issues of Fairtrade. The Fairtrade Schools Award was launched in 2007 and there are now over 3,000 schools working towards the scheme. Find out how to embed Fairtrade into the curriculum and all the ways the issues surrounding Fairtrade complement curriculum aims and subject content.
Workshop 2: Environmental impacts on Fairtrade producers
Knowledge level
Intermediate
Objective
To explore the effects of climate change on producer groups and how Fairtrade is helping them to adapt and prepare for this.
Description
Climate change is having a significant impact on producers throughout the developing world. Fairtrade can help to alleviate the problems caused – find out how and build on your knowledge of the environmental benefits of Fairtrade.
Workshop 3: Developing new Fairtrade products
Knowledge level
Advanced
Objective
New product categories are always being developed; this workshop gives participants an insight into how products are identified in terms of the needs of producers and the product’s commercial viability.
Description
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how new product categories are identified, how this process is linked to producer needs and the development of Fairtrade standards for new products. Participants will find out what products are in the pipeline and how Fairtrade campaigners can feed into new product development.
Workshop 4: From field to fork
Knowledge level
Intermediate
Objective
To explain in more detail the workings of the supply chain from Fairtrade farmer to the companies and retailers that sell Fairtrade products in the UK.
Description
This workshop explains how relationships between Fairtrade farming cooperatives and companies are formed, the Fairtrade standards farmers adhere to, the support they receive with access to markets, contract agreements including price and premium and the strict auditing process that brings the Fairtrade guarantee.
Workshop 5: The global food crisis and Fairtrade: small farmers, big solutions?
Knowledge level
Intermediate/Advanced
Objective
To explore the impacts of current global crises on the lives of farmers and the role Fairtrade plays in providing stability in uncertain times for farmers, now more than ever.
Description
Around the world, tens of millions of people are suffering from increased and volatile food and fuel prices, the effects of which have been deepened by the economic recession, impacting the most on those least able to cope in the poorest countries. Find out how Fairtrade helps to improve the lives of producers, even in the face of these crises and how these crises show the need for Fairtrade more than ever.
Workshop 6: Scaling up the impact of Fairtrade
Knowledge level
Advanced
Objective
To give participants a clear understanding of how Fairtrade is working to extend and deepen the benefits of Fairtrade for producers beyond price and premium, scaling up impact and taking Fairtrade forward to meet development objectives.
Description
An in-depth look at how Fairtrade is working on the ground, including innovative ways to bring change to the hardest to reach producers in the lowest income countries.
Workshop 7: Tipping the balance of business to make Fairtrade the norm
Knowledge level
Intermediate
Objective
To give participants a clear understanding of our commercial strategy up to 2012, ambition and how the Foundation is working with commercial partners and international strategies to ensure growth with integrity as we scale up to make Fairtrade the norm and deliver more benefits to more producers.
Description
Is Fairtrade mainstream? Learn more about how the FAIRTRADE Mark is doing in key product sectors, current activities to build on this and the scale of ambition involved. From international market information to the role of companies – the big names in Fairtrade and the big names on the high street – hear how we’re striving to make Fairtrade business as normal.
Workshop 8: Giving producers a voice in the market
Knowledge level
Intermediate
Objective
To outline some of the alternative business models that companies have used in order to create Fairtrade producer-owned brands.
Description
Some companies have been at the forefront of innovating on Fairtrade and are going the extra mile to strengthen the producer groups they work with and involve them in their businesses, delivering added value back to producer groups. Learn more about who they are and what they are doing.
Workshop 9: The story of Fairtrade cosmetics
Knowledge level
Beginners
Objective
To help participants understand the process of bringing a new product category onto the market looking at the perspectives of the producers, the companies and the Fairtrade Foundation.
Description
In June 2009 a whole new category of Fairtrade products was launched – cosmetics. In this workshop, you can learn all about the process from the start of the project to bringing the products to market – what was the producer need? How were standards set? How did companies get involved? What is the strategy for expanding the benefits going back to producers?
Workshop 10: Fairtrade for first timers
Knowledge level
Beginners
Objective
To provide an overview of Fairtrade including how it works, key players in the movement and how you can get involved.
Description
An absolute beginners guide to Fairtrade – what exactly is it? All your questions answered about the role of different organisations in the movement – the Fairtrade Foundation, Fairtrade Labelling Organisation, producer networks, companies, campaigner networks, other labelling initiatives and organisations and how they work together.
Registration is now closed