Fairtrade fortnight

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International Fairtrade Certification Mark

The Fairtrade fortnight is an annual event in which fair and ethical trading values are celebrated. The concept was pioneered by the Fairtrade Foundation in the United Kingdom, and held firstly in 1997 in Scotland. This turned out to be a highly successful campaign to get every supermarket throughout Scotland to stock Fairtrade products. It spread to the rest of the United Kingdom the following year. Today, Fairtrade fortnights are celebrated in several countries, most notably Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Awareness raising and the promotion of Fairtrade products to the public are the main objectives of the fortnight.

Usually these events are:

• Fetes
• Fairs
• Fairtrade food and drink tastings
• Fashion shows

These events are supported by local authorities and governments, Fairtrade Steering Groups, dozens of charities and ATOs, all seeking to ensure that the local populace purchase fair and ethically traded goods. Local schools and colleges where Fairtrade is an oft discussed topic also play a large role with Fairtrade Fortnight.

Events are spotlighted and recorded on various national Fairtrade labelling websites (such as the Fairtrade Foundation or TransFair Canada) and most media arms are keen to support a fast growing trend in which previously disadvantaged third world producers have a fairer market to sell their wares and develop their economic capabilities.

The 2008 edition of the Fairtrade Fortnight is celebrated Feb 25th - Mar 9th in both Ireland and the UK.

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