TO celebrate five years as a Fair Trade Nation, campaigners in Wales have been collecting thousands of ‘My Fair Trade Nation’ postcards from Fair Trade supporters across Wales to send a message to Scotland that achieved the Fair Trade Nation award earlier this year.
And Santa himself dressed in a Fair Trade and sustainable Santa suit made from Fair Trade, up-cycled and sustainable material, will be delivering the messages from Wales to representatives from the Scottish Fair Trade Forum and Humza Yousaf MSP, Minister for International Development, at the Scottish Parliament.
Elen Jones, national co-ordinator of Fair Trade Wales said: “We’ve been collecting thousands of ‘My Fair Trade Nation’ postcards from Fair Trade supporters across Wales.
“The response has been incredible with adults and children alike sharing inspiring messages about what the Fair Trade Nation means to them. We’ve had songs and sonnets, statements and sketches and the Fair Trade Wales office has never looked so colourful.”
Martin Rhodes, director of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, commented: “Scotland as the world’s newest Fair Trade Nation is delighted to receive these messages of support from Wales, the world’s first Fair Trade Nation. Santa in his Fair Trade and sustainable suit reminds us all at the busy time of year of the importance of buying Fair Trade and shopping sustainably.”
First Minister of Wales, Rt Hon Carwyn Jones, said: “I would like to congratulate campaigners across Wales as we celebrate five years as a Fair Trade Nation. I am delighted that this transformative concept is spreading throughout the world with Scotland declaring Fair Trade Nation status this year. Thanks to the leadership shown by the people of our small nations, we confidently look forward to being joined by other Fair Trade Nations in the future.”
Humza Yousaf MSP, Minister for International Development, said: “I’m proud to receive these greetings and messages of support from one of the world’s first Fair Trade Nations to another.
“This will be Scotland’s first Christmas as a Fair Trade Nation. As people in all parts of the country get ready for the festive period, today’s visit is a timely reminder that we can all do our bit to address poverty and help to protect families and communities around the world, simply by making informed choices about the gifts and provisions that we buy.”
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Editor’s Notes
Photo of Tristan Humphries, Fair Trade Wales presents the Fair Trade message from Wales to Scotland to International Development Minister, Humza Yousaf MSP, Martin Rhodes of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum and Father Christmas at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Fair Trade Forum was founded in 2007 to help Scotland become one of the world’s first Fair Trade Nations, which was achieved in February 2013. Through its work with other Fair Trade bodies in the UK and beyond, the organisation engages directly with many Fair Trade groups, schools, universities, local authorities and others to support ongoing fair trade activity and encourage it to grow stronger.
The Scottish Fair Trade Forum is a Scottish charity (SC039883) and a Scottish company (SC337384). Registered office: Thistle Court, 1-2 Thistle Street, Edinburgh EH2 1DD.
Martin Rhodes
Director
The Scottish Fair Trade Forum
Thistle Court
1-2 Thistle Street
Edinburgh
EH2 1DD
+44 (0)131 226 6162
www.sftf.org.uk
www.facebook.com/FairTradeNation
www.twitter.com/FairTradeNation
The Scottish Fair Trade Forum is a registered Scottish charity, number
SC039883, and a Scottish registered company, number SC337384.
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Contact: Deirdre Muldowney
Email: admin@sftf.org.uk
Website: http://www.scottishfairtradeforum.org.uk/
