Carmarthenshire Schools are celebrating after the announcement of the winners of their special creative competition to mark Fairtrade Fortnight. The winning school children will see their designs printed on specially commissioned mugs, to mark the occasion.
Each year Fairtrade Fortnight gives people the opportunity to celebrate Fairtrade achievements and learn more about the difference that Fairtrade makes.
Fairtrade fortnight is an annual event run by the Fairtrade organisation and took place this year from 22nd February to 7th March. They note the importance of recognising the value of fair trade and the people behind the food and products we buy every day.
“For two weeks each year at the end of February and start of March, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to share the stories of the people who grow our food and drinks, mine our gold and who grow the cotton in our clothes. These people are often exploited and underpaid.
In 2021, Fairtrade Fortnight felt very different. 2020 has been a hard year for everyone and we know that physically campaigning and meeting people will continue to be challenging in 2021, but we have also heard from so many of you that you want to continue to support Fairtrade through this time.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us more than ever how interconnected we are globally. This interconnection is at the very heart of the Fairtrade message and this is where your role begins. You can be part of the Fairtrade movement and so gain the power to drive long-term change, not only with your shopping choices, but with your support in spreading the message.
With the emergence of the global COVID pandemic, the challenges that farmers face now are bigger than ever before with falling commodity prices and widespread shocks reverberating along our global supply chains. Ongoing poverty in farming communities makes it increasingly hard to cope with the effects of climate change.”
Schools received education packs titled ‘Climate, Fairtrade and You’ to discuss how the climate crisis affects farmers and workers overseas. Through assemblies (designed with social distancing in mind), lesson plans and activities, young people have the opportunity to discover not only how their choices can impact people around the world, but also the planet we live on.
To celebrate this year’s event, schools in Carmarthenshire were invited to create designs for a mug featuring their favourite Fairtrade product. The event was supported and judged by Carmarthenshire Fairtrade group.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s international links co-ordinator for schools Polly Seton said:
“The idea proved very popular and over 180 entries for the competition were received from 21 schools.
Carmarthenshire Fairtrade Group, who supported the initiative, had a difficult job choosing the best entries, but finally agreed on winners for the different age group categories.
Many thanks to all the teachers and pupils who took part.”
The school children’s designs will be printed on the specially commissioned mugs and given to the winners in May. Pictured – Harvey Dennis-Rees, winner of the foundation phases – Dafen Primary School.
Find out more about the Fairtrade Foundation and how you can get involved in their good work here. Find Carmarthenshire Fairtrade Group on twitter – @FTSirGar
