News Update

Engaging Manitobans on fair trade in 2008-09

Posted October 15th 2008

In 2008-09, MCIC is carrying out a major province-wide project called “Engaging Manitobans on Fair Trade” that aims to connect global economic relationships to the daily lives and practices of Manitobans. The project is now well underway. Activities include the following…

• Organizing the fair trade One-Month Challenge for February-March 2009;
• Work on the Canadian Fair Trade Towns campaign, encouraging Manitoba communities to qualify and helping them through the process;
• Developing resources for teachers;
• Encouraging fair trade procurement practices in government and large institutions, such as universities, credit unions and Crown corporations;
• Liaising with merchants and suppliers to increase the visibility and availability of fair trade products in Manitoba;
• Revamping and expanding our Fair Trade Manitoba shopping guide and website and producing a fair trade video;
• Support for the Canadian Coalition on Fair Trade, a new national movement to extend the reach of fair trade practices and build a network of fair trade practitioners;
• Helping to host events such as the Ethical Purchasing Expo, a visit by Transfair Canada, a speaker from the Global South, a fair trade fashion show, and more;
• Cooperating with community development groups, 100-Mile Diet, Manitoba Food Charter, worker co-ops and other like-minded groups in promoting ethical purchasing of items both local and global; and
• Speaking in schools and churches and to community groups about fair trade.

If you are interested in having a speaker visit your group or event, if you are looking for information and teaching materials on the subject, if you’d like to plug into our events, or if your workplace wants to “go fair trade,” please contact Zack Gross, outreach coordinator (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)), or Laura Power, events coordinator (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)), ph. (204) 987-6420.