Full marks for Fairtrade Schools

29 February 2008

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Costa Rican coffee farmer celebrates Fairtrade Schools initiative

A Fairtrade coffee farmer from Costa Rica will visit Queen’s School in Kew today (Friday 29 February 2008), to join in celebrations for a Fairtrade Schools scheme.

Pupils from the primary school, which was one of the first in the UK to achieve Fairtrade status as part of the Fairtrade Schools initiative, are putting on a special series of activities to mark Fairtrade Fortnight (25 February – 9 March). The highlight will be a Fairtrade assembly attended by Gerardo Arias Camacho from the Llano Bonito coffee farmers’ cooperative in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Pupils will use the assembly to demonstrate what they have done to achieve and maintain Fairtrade status for the school, from studying trade issues in class to running a Fairtrade cake stall in the local community and even writing a song about Fairtrade, which they will perform at the assembly. They will interview Gerardo about his life in Costa Rica, and the difference that Fairtrade has made to him and his community, as well as showing their international guest a display of their classwork on Fairtrade.

The Fairtrade Schools scheme, set up last year, is a national initiative established by the Fairtrade Foundation to engage young people in development issues and help tackle global poverty through trade. Lynette Aiken, Fairtrade Schools Coordinator for The Fairtrade Foundation said: “We’ve had a fantastic response to the initiative, with more than 30 Fairtrade primary and secondary schools already established across the UK and 1,000 more schools registered as working towards Fairtrade status.

“Children have a very clear sense of justice so Fairtrade seems to resonate with them particularly strongly. Research has proven the idea that our shopping habits can benefit producers in the developing world is particularly appealing to young people.[1]””

To achieve status, schools have to meet five criteria, including setting up a Fairtrade School Steering Group, made up of both teachers and pupils, and committing to use Fairtrade products within the school. They also have to write and adopt a school Fairtrade Policy, incorporate Fairtrade into lessons and promote Fairtrade both within the school and to their wider community. Schools have to renew their Fairtrade status regularly to prove their ongoing commitment.

Mrs Jane Goodlace,  Head Teacher of Queen’s School said: ”The Fairtrade Schools initiative is a great way for schools to contribute to making the world a fairer place, while developing new skills, and engaging with the local community. We’ve found Fairtrade provides a very tangible way to involve pupils in the wider issues of poverty and development.”

A Fairtrade Schools website (www.fairtrade.org.uk/schools) has been set up to provide information for pupils and teachers about the initiative. The site provides a downloadable Action Guide to help schools work their way towards achieving Fairtrade status and gives contact information for local organisations and dedicated regional advisors who can support the application process. It also offers a range of practical ideas and resources to help incorporate Fairtrade into lessons and school life, as well as promote it to the wider local community.

The Fairtrade Schools campaign was launched in response to demands from a number of schools across the UK and is funded by the Department for International Development, DFID. Working with local campaign organisations including People & Planet, SCIAF, CAFOD and Development Education Centres, and using the Foundation’s established model of Fairtrade Towns, the unified scheme for all UK primary and secondary schools was created.

Gareth Thomas, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for DFID and BERR, said:

“The Fairtrade Schools campaign is a fantastic way for young people to learn more about the world while making a difference to the lives of children and families in poor countries.”

The FAIRTRADE Mark is the only independent consumer label that ensures farmers in developing countries receive an agreed and stable price for the crops they grow, as well as a Fairtrade premium which can be invested in building their businesses and their communities. UK Fairtrade sales topped £430m in 2007 and currently give seven million people – farmers, workers and their families - a chance to build a better future and to compete in the global market place.

For more information about Fairtrade Schools Scheme, or to register your school, visit www.fairtrade.org.uk/schools

ENDS

For more information, interviews or photographs please contact Rachel Woods at the Fairtrade Foundation on media.consultant@fairtrade.org.uk or call 020 7440 8578 / 07738 258018

Note to Editors

1.       A series of three regional Fairtrade Schools conferences taking place in summer 2008 will give teachers and pupils the opportunity to share experiences and achievements, and develop the ongoing strategy for the campaign. Guest speakers will include children from cocoa farmers’ families in Ghana, from the Kuapa Kokoo co-operative, who will provide first hand experience of how Fairtrade benefits producers in the developing world.

2.       The FAIRTRADE Mark is a certification mark and a registered trademark of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) of which the Fairtrade Foundation is the UK member. The Fairtrade Foundation is an independent certification body which licenses the use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products which meet international Fairtrade standards. This independent consumer label appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal. Today, more than 7 million people - farmers, workers and their families - across 59 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system.

3.       The full range of more than 3,000 Fairtrade certified products now includes coffee, tea, herbal teas, chocolate, cocoa, sugar, bananas, grapes, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, apples, pears, plums, grapefruit, lemons, oranges, satsumas, clementines, mandarins, lychees, coconuts, dried fruit, juices, smoothies, biscuits, cakes & snacks, honey, jams & preserves, chutney & sauces, rice, quinoa, herbs &  spices, seeds, nuts & nut oil, wines, beers, rum, confectionary, muesli, cereal bars, yoghurt, ice-cream, flowers, sports balls, sugar body scrub and cotton products including clothing, homewear, cloth toys & cotton wool.