The event on Thursday 12 September will help raise funds for a solar-powered irrigation pump for a group of women who grow rice in Kaporo, in northern Malawi.
As well as a fair trade dinner, there will be a talk from guest speaker, Howard Msukwa, member of Karonga District National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi, and an award ceremony for a poster competition involving Stirling’s young people. Tickets are available via: www.ticketsource.co.uk/fairtradestirling
Fair Trade Stirling is a voluntary organisation that works with various bodies, including Stirling Council, to promote Fairtrade and fairly traded goods.
Delighted
Jon Cape, co-ordinator of Fair Trade Stirling said: “We have been working with Howard Msukwa and his NASFAM colleagues in Malawi since 2010, more than half the time since Fair Trade Stirling was formed.
“I am delighted that Howard is able to join us and share some of the stories of our collaboration over the years as we celebrate our 20th anniversary.
“That work has included support to set up the Stirling Skills Centre in Karonga, which helps young people get the skills they need to find work, so it is very fitting that our celebration also includes the award ceremony for our young people’s Fair Trade poster competition.”
Howard’s organisation represents a dynamic group of 9,000 rice farmers in the Karonga district of North Malawi who are working to deliver low carbon ways of mitigating the effects of climate change on their farms.
First-hand information
He said: “Please come to the event to get first-hand information from me, the Malawian farmer, about the important relationships that have developed between Stirling and Karonga in Malawi and the Kilombero rice that we produce.”
Stirling Council first passed a motion in support of Fairtrade in March 2004. This action, combined with the work of the Fair Trade Stirling group, led to Stirling receiving Fairtrade city status later that year.
In October 2012, the council passed a further motion about expanding its support for Fair Trade Stirling. As a result, the whole council area was awarded Fairtrade Zone status in 2013.
Positive difference
Alasdair Tollemache, Stirling’s Fairtrade Councillor, said: “We’re really proud that Stirling has been a Fairtrade city for 20 years and the positive difference this has made to people in low-income countries including the farmers in Malawi.
“This event is about celebrating the amazing efforts of volunteers across the Stirling area since 2004, and it’s also an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to do more to advance this crucial cause.”
Fair trade is an international movement that improving trading practices to guarantee a better deal for disadvantaged farmers and workers in developing countries
It involves entering into long-term trading relationships, agreeing on stable prices for producers and giving developing businesses support so their workers can gain skills
Commitment to ethical trade and practices
Stirling Provost Elaine Watterson, who will be attending the event, said: “Over the past 20 years Stirling and its communities have shown their commitment to ethical trade and practices. The awareness of fair trade and the range of Fairtrade goods across Stirling has grown hugely in that time.
“By supporting Fairtrade, we can ensure the farmers and workers who grow our food are treated fairly, paid a sustainable wage and have decent working conditions. It also encourages environmentally-friendly farming practices and supports community development, so please show your support by coming along to this anniversary event.”
Bridge of Allan Coop will be contributing fair trade goods as prizes for the poster competition.
Leading champion
Craig Walford, Store Manager, said: “The Coop is a leading champion of fair trade and Bridge of Allan’s Coop store has worked with Fair Trade Stirling over the years with fund-raising events and provision of fair trade goods. We are delighted to provide the prizes for this competition”
Strong relationship
Howard’s visit to Scotland is sponsored by the Scottish Fair Trade retailer True Origin. Joyce Davidson, Chair of True Origin Partnerships, said: “True Origin is delighted to be funding this visit from Howard Msukwa, one of the founder members of KASFA (Kaporo Smallholder Farmers Association) in Malawi.
“True Origin (previously Just Trading Scotland and the Balmore Trust) has been at the heart of fair trade links between Scotland and KASFA since its inception; importing and marketing their wonderful Kilombero rice and supporting the community with capacity building projects. We are delighted to see the strong relationship that has been built up with Fair Trade Stirling over the years and to enable Howard to visit Scotland and join your 20th Anniversary celebrations.”
More information
Fair Trade Stirling’s 20th anniversary event at Forth Valley College will run from 6pm to 8.45pm on Thursday 12 September. Tickets are priced at £22.50 and £8 for U18s, and include a Malawian-style fair trade meal, and are available here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/fairtradestirling.
For more information on Fair Trade Stirling and a list of places selling Fairtrade goods in the area, visit: https://fairtradestirling.org.
