CAMDEN’S FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT OFF TO A FLYING START

7 March 2006

Over 100 enthusiastic football youths kicked off Camden’s Fairtrade Fortnight in Regent’s Park on Saturday, 4 March. The event, organised by Camden Council, was aimed at informing young people of why their choice of footballs, food and clothes matters for poor traders in the developing world. The Fairtrade Football event in Regent’s Park was the first of a number of events planned during Camden’s Fairtrade Fortnight which runs from 6 March - 19 March.

Children from local football clubs in the Borough of Camden competed for Fairtrade prizes while enjoying Fairtrade juice, fruit and chocolate from the stall set up by Camden Council’s Fairtrade campaigners. Cllr Barbara Hughes, Mayor of Camden, presented the winning team from Somers Town with a Fairtrade football and encouraged the children and their parents to support Fairtrade products which ensure that people in the developing world have been given a fair price for their labour.

Cllr Barbara Hughes, Mayor of Camden said, “Fairtrade football is an excellent opportunity for young people to come together for a good cause while having fun and exercising. It is important to spread the message that everyone can contribute to fighting poverty in developing countries by changing their everyday shopping habits.”

Camden was the first North London borough to achieve Fairtrade status in September 2004 in recognition of the borough’s work to raise awareness of Fairtrade products. Camden Council continues to raise awareness of Fairtrade issues in educational establishments, local businesses, faith groups and flagship employers. As a result of this, the available range of Fairtrade products is growing and Camden’s Fairtrade Directory now has over 100 Fairtrade outlets including sports shops selling Fairtrade footballs and conference centres offering Fairtrade food and drink.

Cllr John Thane, Executive Member for Environment said, “Camden’s Fairtrade Fortnight is important because it provides people of all ages with the information necessary to become conscious consumers. Changing people’s shopping habits may not be easy, but it is important to inform people of the options available to shop ethically, and the difference that these choices can make to traders in the world’s poorest countries.”

For more information please contact Helle Nordberg, Camden Council Press Office, telephone: 02079746023, mobile: 07799034649 or email: helle.nordberg@camden.gov.uk

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