What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.
By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
What the Council is Doing
Eastbourne Borough Council unaminously passed a motion supporting Fairtrade in Eastbourne in 2007.
The council acknowledges the increasing numbers of retail outlets, churches, schools, businesses and others supporting and promoting Fairtrade in the town and welcomes the Fairtrade movement as a positive response to providing sustainable economic development and awareness within our present consumer culture.
As part of this Council’s own commitment to Fairtrade, it undertakes to:
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Continue to provide Fairtrade tea and coffee in all its outlets.
- Continue to exclusively provide Fairtrade tea and coffee at all its internal meetings.
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Work at elected member level with the local campaign group ‘Fairtrade Eastbourne’ in activities to promote the FAIRTRADE Mark.
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Using current links and resources, encourage Eastbourne businesses to provide Fairtrade products to their staff and customers.
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Promote the Fairtrade Town initiative in internal communications and external newsletters.
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Support where practicable events and publicity to promote Fairtrade Fortnight - the annual national campaign to promote sales of products with the FAIRTRADE Mark.
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Provide funds to celebrate the achievement of the Fairtrade Town Award when achieved, budgetary constraints allowing.
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Allow a weblink from the Council’s website to the Fairtrade Eastbourne website.
How to Get Involved
Fairtrade Eastbourne reaches out to the community, including businesses, schools, shoppers, churches, organisations and other campaign groups community, to boost awareness of Fairtrade and its aims.
They want to see more Fairtrade products available and want a genuine demand for Fairtrade locally.
They are campaigning to make Eastbourne a Fairtrade Town and have put on different events across the town to promote Fairtrade.
For more information, visit the Fairtrade Eastbourne website.
