Trade practices under scrutiny
Neuwied, a city in Germany, has been awarded the prestigious title of Fairtrade Town by TransFair e.V. since 2018, a recognition that is renewed every two years. This year's presentation, held under the motto "Fair through the Day," aimed to highlight the importance of fair trade and sustainable consumption.
The celebration took place in the city centre, where the Fairtrade Town steering group and the Fairtrade District Neuwied showcased their work. Fairtrade Germany contributed a portion of the fair-trade profits to a wheel of fortune, with the remainder coming from the One World Shop Neuwied.
Alena Borhardt, a member of the Fairtrade Town steering group, emphasised the significance of sensitising citizens to the importance of fair trade. She explained that becoming a Fairtrade Town is not just about increasing the sale of fair-trade products, but also about raising awareness and fostering social responsibility.
Wolfgang Rahn, spokesperson for the steering group, echoed this sentiment, stating that every contribution counts, whether through active participation or the conscious decision to opt for fair-trade products. He encouraged all interested parties to contribute to the Fairtrade cause.
As a Fairtrade Town, Neuwied promotes fair trade at the municipal level, ensuring that a range of Fairtrade products are available in local shops and served in cafes and catering establishments. Fairtrade products are also used by a number of local workplaces and community organisations.
The benefits of Fairtrade extend to both producers and the community. Fairtrade promotes better trading conditions, fair prices, and sustainable development for farmers and workers involved in Fairtrade. For the community, it raises awareness of global trade injustices, fosters social responsibility, and helps build stronger connections between consumers and producers in developing countries. It also encourages the local economy to support ethical and sustainable products, strengthening community values and engagement.
Despite the rainy weather, the action was well received, with the info stand and the wheel of fortune drawing much attention to fair trade in Neuwied. Those interested in joining the Fairtrade steering group can contact Alena Borhardt at [email protected].
References: [2] Fairtrade Foundation. (n.d.). What is a Fairtrade Town? Retrieved from https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/what-is-fairtrade/fairtrade-towns [4] Fairtrade Towns Initiative. (n.d.). Criteria for Fairtrade Towns. Retrieved from https://www.fairtrade-towns.org/criteria-for-fairtrade-towns/
The Fairtrade Town steering group and Fairtrade District Neuwied showcased their efforts towards sustainable living, incorporating home-and-garden items and lifestyle essentials that promote fair trade. Alena Borhardt emphasized the importance of fostering social responsibility and raising awareness about fair trade, which extends beyond just increasing the sale of fair-trade products.
