Marburg still holds a status as a vibrant trade hub
Marburg Renews Commitment as a Fair Trade Town
Marburg, a university town in Germany, has once again been recognised as a Fair Trade Town, extending its commitment to global justice and sustainable development. The city has been part of the international Fairtrade Towns campaign since 2009, making it the first city in Hesse and the fourth in Germany to bear the title.
The city's dedication to fair trade was showcased at the second Marburg Chocolate Festival on September 27. The town presented itself as a "Fair Trade Town," offering visitors an opportunity to learn more about fair trade at the "Fair Trade Town Marburg" stand. Activities included an information stand, cocoa quiz, chocolate tasting quiz, spinning wheel, and small fair surprises.
During the festival, Marburg showcased its commitment during the Christmas and Advent season, with St. Nicholas distributing fair-traded St. Nicholas figures and first-year students receiving fair welcome treats. The city map "Fair Shopping, Fair Eating, Fair Dressing in Marburg" provides information about fair trade, relevant product seals, and logos, making it easier for residents and visitors to make ethical choices.
The city's commitment to fair trade extends beyond chocolate. In 2023, two coffee producers from Nicaragua visited Marburg's town hall, speaking about their work, economic challenges, and the impact of climate change on coffee production. The city supported their visit by covering travel costs, enabling them to speak at the Fair Week 2023 in Berlin.
Child labor is widespread in the main cocoa-growing regions of Ghana and the Ivory Coast. A key concern of the Marburg Fair Trade Steering Group, which collaborates with the World Shop, EKKW, Micha Initiative, and local retailers, is the issue of fair chocolate. The group aims to address abuses in conventional cocoa cultivation and promote ethical practices.
Mayor Nadine Bernshausen praised the commitment of volunteers and members of the Marburg Steering Group. She stated that Marburg's commitment to fair trade shows its support for global justice and its actions done in partnership with people on the ground. The city was supported by the organization "Plant-for-the-Planet" to receive the Fair Trade Towns award again for two years.
The Marburg Fair Trade Steering Group, consisting of various individuals and organizations, is delighted with the extension. The group raises awareness of these issues through events like dressing up as the Easter Bunny on the market square. The group's work dates back to a much longer tradition, being carried by the Weltladen Marburg and its supporting association - the Initiative Solidarische Welt.
The Fair Trade Towns campaign offers cities and municipalities concrete options for implementing the sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015. Marburg continues to be a "Fair Trade Town" for another two years, setting an example for other cities to follow.
