Two key figures for Fairtrade in Cumbria were part of an eight-strong British delegation that has been helping to spread the Fairtrade message in Europe.
Alan Ratcliffe, Head of Strategic and Commercial Procurement for Cumbria County Council, and Joe Human, Secretary of Keswick and District Fair Trade Campaign and Coordinator of the Cumbria Fair Trade Campaign Network, played key roles at the second International Fairtrade Towns conference which took place in Brussels last weekend (25-26 January).
The conference was attended by over 100 delegates from 15 countries in Western Europe and North and South America and was aimed to share and learn best practice from all the countries which have a Fairtrade Town movement.
Cumbria is now celebrating its second anniversary of becoming a Fairtrade county. It means the county council has been committed to buying Fairtrade products whenever possible for two years and has also promoted awareness of Fairtrade issues in the county.
Joe Human said:
"Cumbria is held in very high regard in the Fairtrade Towns movement here in Britain. It was a great opportunity to explain to other countries all we have achieved in the county. What we are doing in Cumbria has generated huge interest on both sides of the Atlantic in the power of ordinary people, working with local authorities, to advance the cause of Fairtrade."
Alan Ratcliffe ran a key workshop on local authority procurement, in which he showed how the very well-developed policy and practice of the Cumbrian approach to Fairtrade procurement is part and parcel of the county’s commitment to sustainable development. He said: "Cumbria County Council is committed to Fairtrade and we are proud of the work we have done to raise awareness of this important issue across the county. The council recognises the effect its purchasing can have on communities and the responsibility it has to ensure public money is spent wisely, prudently and responsibly. Procurement, done properly, has the power to change lives. "
ENDS
Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 606332
Notes
Cumbria was only the second county in England to be awarded Fairtrade County status when it won the accolade in March 2006. The county council passed a resolution on 17th November 2005 to purchasing Fairtrade where possible and to offer Fairtrade tea and coffee at council meetings and in its offices. It also committed the council to working with Cumbria Fair Trade Network to find ways of linking Fairtrade with promotion of local products and producers and to promote the awareness of Fairtrade issues.