LOCAL schoolchildren will have the chance to pose their questions to a Honduran Fairtrade Officer as part of a special Fairtrade Fortnight event at the Eden Place Arts Centre in Pilot’s Row, Derry.
Fairtrade Fortnight aims to promote and encourage the fair payment of food growing farmers and workers throughout the world.
The Fairtrade initiative was established to ensure developing world farmers are provided a guaranteed minimum price that covers sustainable production and the ability to trade in global markets without exploitation.
The special guest at Friday’s event, which will also included an arts workshop, was Roberto Arturo Lopez who is employed by COAGRICSAL as Sustainability Program Manager.
Roberto is currently working to improve the quality of life of the members of the cooperative and involving the women and young members in management and technological development to drive better farming and reduce contamination.
Roberto works on spreading the importance of Fairtrade and the benefits of being certified, as well the positive impact that it has on development in Honduras.
As Certification Program Manager, Roberto worked with each member of the co-op and recorded the work the Fairtrade premium helped them achieve. He also works to ensure the education, health and economic development of the co-op members.
The legacy Derry City Council was awarded Fair Trade status in March 2014 and, in 2015, elected representatives passed a resolution to demonstrate Council’s support for a campaign to achieve Fairtrade status for the entire Derry City and Strabane District Council area which was achieved in 2017.
Council are part of the Foyle Fairtrade Steering Group that promotes Fairtrade and endeavours to achieve the status for the whole council area.
Further information on Fairtrade Fortnight is available online at www.fairtrade.ie and www.fairtrade.org.uk
Or email [email protected] or contacting the Environmental Health Service at Derry City and Strabane District Council on 028 71 253253.
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