LaFT with George Alagiah, patron of Fairtrade Foundation
Campaigning in London for Trade Justice
Nick and Sarah, Make Trade Fair campaigning
Getting the message across, live interview for Radio Leicester
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LaFT is Leicester Advocating Fair Trade
Just is an active member of LaFT, Leicester Advocating Fair Trade. LaFT is a coalition of organisations and individuals who work together to promote fairtrade in Leicester. We work hard and have fun; fairtrade should never be considered ‘worthy’, it’s just the right thing to do! We organise events and run stalls at festivals around Leicestershire particularly around fairtrade fortnight.
In October 2008 LaFT launched the Leicester Fairtrade City 5 year manifesto. LaFT wants to work with others to drive forward Leicester as a Fairtrade City with actions for all and achievable ambitions for different areas of the city and city life. The overall aim is to increase awareness of and therefore use of Fairtrade products and resources across as wide a group of organisations and individuals as possible to ensure that not only does Leicester retain its Fairtrade City status, but also that it is seen as an ethical leader. In support of this Leicester city council agreed a Fairtrade Pledge showing their commitment to Leicester as a Fairtrade City and to promoting the use and awareness of fair trade. They pledged to work towards10 goals.
Fairtrade Fortnight is a national campaign held in the first 2 weeks of March each year. Co-coordinated by the Fairtrade Foundation thousands of Fairtrade supporters hold events to promote Fairtrade during the 2 weeks. In 2006 around 10,000 events were held, from fashion shows and football matches, to concerts and exhibitions. Tastings of Fairtrade products were held in churches, mosques, synagogues, schools, universities, supermarkets and workplaces.
Leicester became a Fairtrade City in 2002, the second city in the country to receive the award. To achieve this status from the Fairtrade Foundation Leicester had to meet 5 goals
- The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens
- A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area’s shops and served in local cafés and catering establishments (targets are set in relation to population)
- Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local work places (estate agents, hairdressers etc) and community organisations (churches, schools etc
- Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign
- A local Fairtrade steering group must be convened to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Town status.
The world’s first Fairtrade Town was Garstang in Lancashire in March 2000 by March 2007 the 242nd Fairtrade Town was declared.
LaFT includes Oxfam, Masaya Link Group (city twinning link with Masaya in Nicaragua) Skillshare International, Midlands Co-op, Leicester College, Knighton Trade Justice Group, Christian Aid, Tearfund and Leicester Anglican Diocese.
If you would like to find out more about fairtrade and trade justice linked events and activity in Leicester join the email list here. Laft meetings happen every month or 2 on a weekday morning, to find out when the next one is join the email list here.
Leicester Make Poverty History Group
The Leicester Make Poverty History Group is made up of enthusiastic and committed volunteers working together to communicate and promote the messages of the 2006 Make Poverty History campaign - Make Trade Fair, Drop The Debt, More And Better Aid - to people living in Leicester.
Our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, from professionals working within the development sector to active members of other groups campaigning in Leicester to individuals keen to play a part in a valuable and rewarding experience.
We meet on the first Monday of every month to discuss and plan upcoming events. Our meetings are informal and friendly, giving everyone the chance to put forward their ideas and contribute as little or as much as they like to the group's activities. To join email here
The British Association for Fair Trade Shops
Just is a member of BAFTS, the British Association for Fair Trade Shops. BAFTS is a network of independent fair trade shops across the UK which promotes fair trade retailing in the UK, seeking to raise the profile of fair trade on the High Street and provide a point of contact and communication for the exchange of ideas amongst members. www.bafts.org.uk
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