Caring about our world

Public Policy Group

Fairtrade

  • 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 is a Fairtrade Diocese?

  • More than 4000 churches have gained Fairtrade Church status and pledged to promote Fairtrade to their congregations and beyond. This support is one of the reasons why Fairtrade sales are increasing 40% year on year, allowing more than 7 million farmers, workers and their families to benefit from Fairtrade.

    In many cases churches are grouping together to give strength to their Fairtrade campaign and becoming Fairtrade Diocese. There are five goals which a diocese needs to meet in order to apply for Fairtrade status.

    To qualify, Diocesan Synod needs to agree that the Diocese will:

    Support and promote Fairtrade, further encourage the use and sale of Fairtrade products and to serve only Fairtrade coffee and tea at meetings it is responsible for.

    Ensure that at least one half of the churches or places of worship in your denominational area have become a ‘Fairtrade Church’

    Encourage other local churches, parishes, circuits etc. to adopt a Fairtrade policy. As far as possible, display literature advertising the fact that Fairtrade products are used and served there.

    Attract further media coverage and continue raising awareness of the FAIRTRADE Mark. If possible, make reference to denominational area’s Fairtrade status on the relevant website.

    Set up a Fairtrade steering group to take responsibility for monitoring that goals continue to be met and developed over time.

    Southwark Diocese achieved Fairtrade Diocese status in Fairtrade Fortnight 2008. Click here to see a list of parishes that have signed the pledge form

    A potted history of the Campaign in Southwark Diocese

  • In March 2005 Diocesan Synod agreed to work towards becoming a Fairtrade Diocese. A Fairtrade Working Group was formed under the auspices of the Social Responsibility and Regeneration Group to carry this work forward.
    The Group produced an information pack for parishes (download the pack here), collected pledge forms (download the pledge form here) from those parishes that wished to join in the initiative and kept the Diocese informed about the campaign progress via a series of mailings to clergy.

  • In early 2008 just under 60% of parishes had returned a pledge form and the Diocese was awarded Fairtrade status.

  • Now that the Diocese has achieved Fairtrade status the Working Group is focusing on promoting Fairtrade within the Diocese and encouraging churches to continually consider their commitment to Fairtrade as well as continuing to collect pledge forms from parishes that have not yet signed one.

    Want to know more about Fairtrade?

  • Visit the Fairtrade Foundation website

  • These other links might also be of interest

  • Traidcraft

  • Divine

  • Cafe Direct

  • Co-op

  • Just Share

  • Fairtrade directory

  • Faith map

    Speakers

  • If you would be interested in a speaker on Fairtrade for your PCC, church, or event we can put you in touch with one. Please contact Barry Goodwin (contact details below.)

    Contact the Fairtrade Diocese Working Group

  • Southwark Diocesan Fairtrade Working Group
    c/o Barry Goodwin
    St Matthew’s House
    100 George Street
    Croydon
    CR0 1PJ

    Tel: 020 8256 9630
    e-mail Barry Goodwin