When we caught up with our friends at Suma Wholefoods at their Fairtrade coffee morning we were asked “How do you actually teach Fairtrade with schools?” so we thought we’d answer with a blog! It’s the perfect timing to talk Fairtrade in schools as Fairtrade Fortnight has now moved to the first weeks of the new school year.
Young people have a real sense of fairness and know exactly how it feels when something isn’t fair. They keenly articulate their feelings if they don’t have the same as someone else, or aren’t being treated with kindness, with outrage and indignation; and this is reflected in our interactive workshops when we talk about trade.
We all lead busy lives. We rush from one thing to another, and often find it difficult to stop and have a break, never mind think about the clothes we wear, the food we eat and things we use to get us through our days! Children are the same, quickly getting dressed and breakfasted and taken to school every morning on autopilot. It’s not a criticism, we all do it!
Our workshops allow space to think. We challenge young people to consider where their favourite products are from. The first answer is usually “the shop”, but with further consideration they soon realise there’s a long line of activity from farm to fruit bowl, from factory to feet, from farmers to forks. In the classroom the students will stand up to represent a role along the supply chain so they can see that the answer to “where is your food from?” is more than just “a shop”. They begin to understand the complexities, especially as we now rely on countries all over the world, and that each person needs paying for the work they do. And we talk about the people right at the beginning of the supply chain – the farmers and producers – who are often neglected and need a fairer deal.
That’s where Fairtrade comes in. Our workshops show students the difference Fairtrade makes along the supply chain, demonstrating that with Fairtrade sales farmers earn an extra income. We share real life producer stories and put people behind the products. The Fairtrade mark on a product is a guarantee that the producer has been paid a fair price. To celebrate this, and the mark, we then make something from recycled Fairtrade packaging for students to take away and carry on the conversations at home. From flags, masks and mobiles to wallets and jewellery we have made hundreds (if not thousands!) of artworks that inspire people to be the change.
We’re running four workshops during Fairtrade Fortnight 2024 and already have 8 Fairtrade workshops booked for this term. We also have a Fairtrade Conference for Primary Schools in March 2025. Please email helen@fairandfunky.com if you’d like to book a workshop or place at conference before we’re fully booked!
For over 30 years the Fairtrade Foundation and team of volunteers have been campaigning to make trade fair. When companies and businesses choose to go Fairtrade, they are securing a fairer price for farmers, meaning they are better able to care for their families, communities and local environment. When we choose Fairtrade, we are choosing to support this change to a fair future for all. For more information on the current campaigns please visit www.fairtrade.org.uk. Be the change.
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