University of the Third Age
Fair Trade Movement
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
The largest ever audience - 102 people from Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, and other parts of the Upper Valley - enjoyed the meeting of the University of the Third Age last Thursday, when Barry Lee spoke entertainingly and informatively about the Fair Trade movement.
Both Todmorden and Hebden Bridge are Fair Trade towns.
Barry explained the aims of the Fair Trade movement, to help create a world in which justice and sustainable development are at the heart of trade so that everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood and develop their full potential. Fair Trade works with businesses, community groups and individuals to improve the trading position of producers in the less developed parts of the world, to help to ensure sustainable livelihoods for farmers, workers and their communities, and encourages them to run their affairs democratically. It also tries to encourage Governments and world organisations to create a world in which trade helps to ensure a better deal for all.
Barry gave some shocking figures, including: one billion people still live in extreme poverty; 26 out of every 100 Angolan children die before they reach five; and, while it would take £1.7 billion to provide clean tap water to everyone in the world, the wealthy world spends £46 billion each year on bottled water.
Barry encouraged his audience to consider buying Fair Trade products wherever they are available, and to encourage our shops and supermarkets to sell products with the Fair Trade label - apparently, they do listen to their customers. When we buy Fair Trade products we can be sure that our money is going to the people who do the work, and helping them to improve their own lives.
If you'd like to find out if Todmorden University of the Third Age could keep your mind ticking over, call 01706 839176 or find them on the web. All meetings are accessible to people with disabilities - and your first visit is free.
Previous U3A reports on the HebWeb
HebWeb News - Fancy a cruise to the Antarctic? (Feb 2012)
HebWeb News - Gail Allaby, U3A's Queen of the Underworld (Dec 2011)
HebWeb News - September meeting report - Report of meeting about Walking the Pacific Crest Trail
HebWeb News - August meeting report - Bolton Abbey
HebWeb News - May and June meeting report - Keep Learning: Live long and prosper and the role of the Lord-Lieutenant
HebWeb News - April meeting report - Belt and Braces - An Everyday Guide to Risk and Chance
HebWeb News - March meeting report - Growing Old in the Twenty-First Century