Scottish Government
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Fairtrade Fortnight 2012
As Fairtrade Fortnight begins, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop confirmed that Scotland is on track to achieve Fair Trade Nation status later this year.
In line with the Fair Trade Nation criteria, there are now 61 towns that have either achieved Fairtrade status or have active Fair Trade Steering Groups and more towns are expected to progress and launch their steering groups during Fairtrade Fortnight. Across Scotland, 65 per cent of higher education institutions and 171 schools have reached Fairtrade status.
Currently 14 local authorities have achieved full Fairtrade Zone status, only four more need to achieve it in order to meet the criteria and with all of Scotland’s six cities already recognised with Fairtrade status, Scotland is on the cusp of becoming one of the world’s first Fair Trade Nations.
Ms Hyslop marked the start of Fairtrade Fortnight 2012 by meeting some Fairtrade competition winners from Selkirk High School, which has also become Scotland’s newest Fairtrade town.
While meeting the winners and runners up of the school’s Fairtrade t-shirt and poster design competitions, Ms Hyslop said:
“It is encouraging to see good progress being made across all walks of life in Scotland, whether that is in our schools, colleges and universities, churches or within central and local government. The Scottish Government is committed to raising awareness and promoting the fair trade agenda throughout Scotland and I am confident that later this year, Scotland will become a Fair Trade Nation.
“Scotland has always been an outward looking, innovative and caring nation. The global fight against poverty and inequality is no different and it is important that Scots are active both at home and overseas in this fight.
“I’d like to congratulate the pupils, especially Jo and Harry, from Selkirk High School, staff and volunteers at Selkirk Fair Trade who have shown leadership in supporting fair trade and promoting it within their local community, showing that everyone can play a crucial role in reducing poverty.”
Communities across the country are working hard so that Scotland can become a Fair Trade Nation in 2012. By becoming a Fair Trade Nation, Scotland will be delivering a real and lasting impact, contributing to reducing poverty, improving the lives of people and helping them access their rights, an important element of Scotland’s contribution to the world.
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Related Information
Fairtrade Towns in Scotland refers to towns with a population of over 5,000.
Wales was the first country to become a Fair Trade Nation in 2008.
As part of their ongoing activities to promote and support fair trade, Selkirk High School and Selkirk Fair Trade Group ran a Fairtrade Cotton t-shirt competition which was open to all pupils. The Cabinet Secretary judged the competition and selected the winner.
Fairtrade Fortnight takes place from Monday February 27 to Sunday March 11. The theme for this year is ‘Take A Step’. The UK body, the Fairtrade Foundation, want everyone to take a step for fair trade to bring a brighter future to farming communities in the developing world.
