Fair Trade Fortnight 2015is now approaching, and this year’s dates are 23rd February to 8th March.
Schools get involved in the new annual campaigns each year, but teachers also work with their students the whole year round to facilitate study and thinking about issues of justice and international development. Young people develop their understanding of the issues underlying key global problems, and come to recognise their own potential for making a difference. Fair Trade is a broad concept, and other products such as chocolate, coffee, cotton and rice are frequently seen in school activities.
The Scottish Fair Trade Forum (SFTF) supports and encourages positive action all over Scotland, and schools rise to the challenge. Extending educational activity into nurseries and early years establishments is a particular focus, with a new Fair Trade Nurseries section on the website.
The Traidcraft charity website Schools section provides resources for teachers and advice about becoming a Fair Trade School.
Just Trading Scotland is a fair trade supplier based in Paisley. Their popular 90k Rice Challenge runs again this year, challenging schools and community organisations to sell 90k of rice, the amount of rice sold that would enable a Malawian farmer to pay for a year’s secondary education for one child.