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Press Release

23 October 2008

Oxfam volunteers bid to make Great Yarmouth a Fairtrade Town

Oxfam volunteers will launch a campaign today to make Great Yarmouth a Fairtrade Town, with the support of Ivan Lewis, Minister for International Development.

On the same day that London is declared a Fairtrade City, the Minister will meet Great Yarmouth residents who aim to achieve the same status for their town. He will hear from local volunteers who are calling on interested individuals and businesses in the town to sign a petition and get involved with the campaign. They plan to put this petition to the borough council in the spring 2009, to coincide with Fairtrade Fortnight.

Ivan Lewis said:

“Fairtrade is about helping farmers in developing countries get fair prices for the goods they produce. The public support Fairtrade and so does this Government. The next step is for local companies, retailers and the wider community to get behind this campaign. If we work together we can achieve fair prices and make a real difference to the lives of millions of people across the world.”

Volunteer Gill Taylor, who recently helped nearby Lowestoft achieve Fairtrade status said:

“Fairtrade is a practical way of improving the lives of people who grow many of the goods we buy. By guaranteeing them a fair and stable price for their products, we can improve their working conditions and the lives of their families.”

To become a Fairtrade Town, a number of criteria must be met. The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens. A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area’s shops and served in local cafés and catering establishments. Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local workplaces, educational establishments, faith communities and other community organisations. The campaign has to attract media coverage and events to gain popular support for the campaign. A local Fairtrade steering group must meet regularly to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Town status.

Ivan Lewis will also visit Edward Worlledge Community Middle School today, where children will be testing their international knowledge with a new online game. External linkRace Against Global Poverty is a fun and interactive educational quiz game from DFID to help young people aged 11 to 16 develop a greater understanding of world poverty.

Players pick and personalise their game character then choose from giving aid by driving a jeep to villages in disaster areas; trading chocolate to get a fair price, or competing in a race by answering questions about the world’s poorest countries and what the UK Government is doing to help them.

DFID is the part of the UK government that makes sure aid gets to poor countries and helps to bring poor people out of poverty.

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Notes to editors

1. DFID has committed almost £2 million to the UK’s Fairtrade Foundation since 1997 for projects ranging from development and expansion of Fairtrade certification, securing and developing Fairtrade opportunities in the UK market, and awareness raising campaigns.

2. This commitment includes almost £100,000 to educate, motivate and communicate with local communities.

4. Play the Race Against Global Poverty game at External linkwww.direct.gov.uk/raceagainstglobalpoverty

5. The game asks quiz questions about global poverty and DFID’s work in tackling the issues. It uses attractive and interactive animation, with participants shown as animal characters racing around a racetrack.

6. Download or order free teaching resources to accompany the game from www.dfid.gov.uk/discoveryzone or order from dfidpubs@ecgroup.co.uk or 01375 484 541 quoting RAGP8.

7. DFID is leading the UK government’s fight against global poverty. DFID supports initiatives that promote understanding amongst children and young people about the wider world and global issues in the UK.

For further information, contact Timma McKean at COI East on 01223 372797 or Matt Wells on 020 7023 1840, e-mail pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk or call our Public Enquiries Point on 0845 300 4100.
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