More than 250 Traidcraft supporters, visitors and staff are expected to fill St Chad’s College for a weekend packed with opportunities to catch up with the latest developments in Traidcraft’s work.
Government Minister Stephen Timms is the keynote speaker on Saturday morning. He will be coming to the Traidcraft conference direct from the Institute of Directors and, as a long-time supporter of fair trade, and a leading member of the Christian Socialist movement, he is expected to set an appropriately challenging tone for the conference.
Representatives of Traidcraft suppliers in Malawi, Mauritius, Chile and The Philippines will be leading seminars illustrating, in a variety of ways, the positive impact fair trade is having on the lives of producers, their families and their communities.
Key staff from both the Traidcraft trading company and Traidcraft’s charity will use workshop sessions to help delegates understand what is involved in supporting producers, developing new products, opening up markets, campaigning for change and a whole range of other issues and challenges.
“It is fantastic to be holding our conference here in Durham. Our supporters have been at the forefront of the fair trade revolution which has seen the UK become the largest fair trade market in the world,” said Traidcraft Chief Executive Paul Chandler.
“It’s a really exciting time to be involved in fair trade and we want them to catch some of that excitement. There are some big challenges ahead but also some great opportunities; our conference will give them a flavour of all of that.”
Recognising Traidcraft’s Christian roots, the conference will finish with delegates joining the congregation at Durham Cathedral for morning worship, when the preacher will be Paul Chandler and prayers and readings will be led by producer visitors.
– ends –
Notes to editors:
-
Traidcraft is the UK’s leading fair trade organisation and has been fighting poverty through trade since 1979.
-
Traidcraft is based in the Team Valley, Gateshead and is the only UK organisation dedicated exclusively to fighting poverty through trade.
-
We welcome reporters and photographers to attend the keynote speeches on Saturday morning at St Chad’s College, North Bailey, Durham:
- Rt. Hon Stephen Timms MP (9am – 9.45am)
- Chino Henriques, General Manager at Apicoop in Chile, a fair trade supplier to Traidcraft (9.50am – 10.20am)
-
Some of the producer visitors may be available for interview, depending on timing. Please contact the Traidcraft press office on 0191 497 6462, 07831 576103 or email media@traidcraft.co.uk.
-
Traidcraft founder Richard Adams is a graduate of St John’s College, Durham.
