Fairtrade Supporter Conference 2009:                   Building a people's movement for change

Over 400 passionate Fairtrade supporters, campaigners, and staff attended this year's Supporter Conference on 10 October. George Alagiah opened the event, interviewing Harriet Lamb and Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, who announced the UK Government's investment of £12 million in Fairtrade. This was met with a unified cheer!

This grand opening kick-started a packed and inspiring day which included Fairtrade Fortnight award presentations, a gritty debate on ‘how fairness fits into sustainable consumption’, workshops on Fairtrade issues, Fairtrade wine and chocolate tasting, and a market place packed with Fairtrade licensees, campaign partners and lots of Fairtrade products. 

 ‘This was the first one [Supporter Conference] I have been able to attend, and I was very glad to do so. …. an excellent team of speakers and panelists and I have come home much challenged and better informed. I felt privileged to meet Renwick [Rose from Windward Islands Farmers' Association] and hear him speak first-hand. I left with his words "there is no such thing as cheap food" ringing in my ears - and he is absolutely right.’   Fairtrade Campaigner, SW England

Fairtrade Fortnight Awards

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The Fairtrade Fortnight Awards are our opportunity to recognise some of the amazing work of campaigners and supporters during Fairtrade Fortnight. This year, for the first time ever and with thanks to Shared Interest Foundation, the winners announced at the conference were awarded cash prizes to re-invest in their campaigns.

List and description of Fairtrade Fortnight Award Winners (44KB)

Supporter Conference 2009

Ann Pettifor, Renwick Rose and George Alagiah opening the sustainable consumption debate

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Supporter Conference 2009

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Ann Pettifor, Renwick Rose and George Alagiah opening the sustainable consumption debate

Workshop Downloads

A varied selection of workshops were run on the day. Some accompanying documents are available to download:  

Debate clips

Available soon

Market place and tastings

A mixture of campaigning groups and companies selling Fairtrade products showcased their wares in the market place (347KB)

Want to run a Fairtrade wine tasting event similar to the one at this event? See our guide to organising a wine tasting event.

Future events