Fairtrade Supporter Conference 2010:
Building a peoples' movement for change
Hear about new Fairtrade products, get stuck into Fairtrade debates and share ideas with other campaigners at the 2010 Fairtrade Supporter Conference.
At this free event, open to all, meet and hear from experts from the Fairtrade movement and experience its strength, throughout workshops, discussions and tasting sessions for the latest Fairtrade treats.
Campaigners from all over of the UK will be attending to provide the best opportunity of the year to get inspiration and ideas on your own Fairtrade campaigning activities.
And if you can't make it to London on the day, don't worry. Sections of the conference will be streamed live on the Fairtrade Foundation website, ensuring you wont miss out on the latest news, developments and debate.
Find out more about the conference below and register your place today.
Date: Saturday 9 October
Time: 10 - 4.30
Venue: Kings College London, Waterloo Campus. Click here for a map
What can I expect?
- Keynote speech from Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP and Andrew Ethuru, Producer Director of Cafédirect
- Informative and interactive workshops & seminars
- Campaign stalls and products sampling
- Fairtrade cotton discussion with expert speakers chaired by George Alagiah
- Fairtrade myth busting
- Evening social
Workshop/Seminar Choices
You will be able to attend one workshop/seminar during the day, each one has been designed to suit a specific level of understanding of Fairtrade (either basic, intermediate or advanced) so please make sure you sign up for the workshop that best suits you. Click each workshop to find out what it's about.
...conventional vs alternative supply chains.
Level of understanding: Intermediate Seminar
Objective: To explore the Fairtrade cotton supply chain and how it differs to the conventional supply chain. And going further - how do dedicated Fair Trade Organisations differ and what is the future for Fairtrade cotton?
Description: Cotton differs from many commodities in the complexity of the supply chain and the many processes it goes through from cotton plant to t-shirt. This seminar will look in detail at this chain and where exactly Fairtrade brings benefits. With contributions from one of the cotton Fair Trade Organisations, you will also hear the extra steps they take to ensure that producers and workers are getting a better deal.
Developing new Fairtrade products
Level of understanding: Advanced Seminar & Discussion
Objective: You will find out about new products in the pipeline and how Fairtrade campaigners can be part of new product development and support the launch of Fairtrade and Fairmined gold.
Description: In this seminar you get a deeper insight into the new product categories being worked on and the development of Fairtrade standards for these new products.
You will be updated on the forthcoming launch of Fairtrade and Fairmined gold and see how we prioritise our work based around the needs of producers and the market’s commercial viability.
Engaging faith groups with your campaign
Level of understanding: Intermediate & Advanced Seminar & Discussion
Objective: To help campaigners broaden their networks and enhance their skills in reaching out effectively to faith groups. Explore the different faiths’ perspectives on trade and justice.
Description: This seminar is not only an opportunity to learn about what different faiths say about trade and justice in their traditions, but also a chance to hear tips from interfaith experts on how best you can reach out to your diverse community to engage them in your Fairtrade campaign.
Engaging Local Authorities with Fairtrade
...and building partnerships for change
Level of understanding: Interactive group session
Objective: To share practical examples of how local authorities can effectively incorporate Fairtrade in to their communications, procurement policy and practice and the local area.
Description: Over 480 local authorities have already made a commitment to Fairtrade through their involvement with local Fairtrade campaigns. As budget cuts hit the headlines, this session will explore creative, cost-effective ways that local authorities can play a part in increasing awareness, understanding and use of Fairtrade in their constituencies.
Level of understanding: Intermediate Seminar & discussion
Objective: You will leave informed and confident in communicating the full social and environmental benefits of buying Fairtrade.
Description: This seminar will explore the environmental impact of Fairtrade products, going beyond food miles, balancing the local vs imported products debate and discussing how Fairtrade supports producers adapting to changing climates.
We’ll also look at some groups who have successfully combined local and international themes in their Fairtrade campaigns.
Fairtrade for first timers
Level of understanding: Beginner Seminar & discussion
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.
Fairtrade Schools; An enquiry based approach
Level of understanding: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced workshop.
Objective: To enable teachers to develop an enquiry-based approach to teaching Fairtrade so that young people can develop their own ideas and explore the issues for themselves.
Description: This session will showcase a classroom approach using enquiry-based learning to help pupils explore the concept of fairness and equality, and to apply this understanding to the idea of Fairtrade. It draws on Philosophy for Children and role play and shows how teachers can help equip pupils with the skills that they need to draw their own conclusions about Fairtrade.
Fairtrade Schools; within your Towns campaign
Level of understanding: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Seminar & discussion
Objective: To understand why Fairtrade Towns and Schools might find it interesting to join together when working on Fairtrade and scope out the best approaches you can take.
Description: This session will firstly give an overview of what the Fairtrade School Award is all about. Then it will explain how to approach schools from a Fairtrade Town’s perspective, providing an understanding of what has worked and what has not worked when Towns and Schools have been working together. It will be an opportunity to gain some inspiration as well as to share your experience.
Fundraising for your campaign
Level of understanding: Intermediate Workshop
Objective: How to raise funds and influence people
Description: This workshop will look at how campaign groups can provide enough funds to do what they need to do without too many sleepless nights. Led by experienced Fairtrade campaigner Joe Human, with support from the Fairtrade Foundation fundraisers.
Impact of Fairtrade for producers
Level of understanding: Intermediate & Advanced Seminar & Discussion
Objective: Using new
impact studies, we’ll look closer at what Fairtrade means for producers, beyond the price guarantee and premium.
Description: In this seminar you will find out what the new Fairtrade impact studies have revealed about the actual benefits of Fairtrade for producers and their communities. Using
case studies we will discuss any gaps and barriers to progress.
Level of understanding: Intermediate Interactive group session
Objective: To explore how commercial decisions affecting Fairtrade are taken – who makes them and what influences them? With input from other campaigners and commercial experts, this is an opportunity to share ideas and understand more about how commercial decisions are made.
Description: Have you ever felt that you’re talking to the wrong person or that the person you’re talking to isn’t listening? From letters to Head Office and sales figures to market research and conversations with store managers – who holds the power when it comes to what a company does and how can we influence them? An opportunity to share what’s worked and what hasn’t, hear first-hand what makes a business sit up and take notice and consider ‘what next’ as we move businesses forward to transform trade.
Does the new government mean new opportunities for Fairtrade campaigners?
Level of understanding: Intermediate & Advanced Seminar & Discussion
Objective: To explore what the new government may mean for your Fairtrade campaigning. Sharing information on how local campaigners are engaging with local and national politics. Explore how the Fairtrade Foundation can better support campaigners engaging with politics.
Description: In this seminar we will have a discussion about what is already happening with the change in government and identify potential opportunities to influence politics in favour of fair trade.
We will explore what support would be most useful to create the greatest impact.
Further information
Watch the debate online - if you are unable to attend the conference, log on to our website to watch and participate in the live debate.
Travel costs - if you require financial assistance we can help with travel costs within the UK.
Contact us to check who is entitled.
Accommodation -
click here for a list of places to stay in the area.
Promote it - Please spread the word among your fellow campaigners, colleagues, friends and family.