HomeBackground
The Fairtrade Belfast Committee is a voluntary organisation which includes members of local and foreign governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, supermarkets, retailers, businesses and private individuals.The committee meets every month to discuss and plan Fairtrade initiatives and events in Belfast, including Fairtrade Fortnight, a worldwide event usually held in February or March each year. During Fairtrade Fortnight, the committee is very active, organising talks, debates, interviews and producer and grower visits to highlight the benefits of Fairtrade.
Fairtrade Fortnight 2011 takes place from 28 February to 13 March 2011. The theme is 'Show off your Fairtrade label'.
History of Fairtrade Belfast
October 2010
Belfast holds Fairtrade Business Awards.March to August 2010
Fairtrade Belfast members appointed to the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister’s Sustainable Development steering committee and stakeholders' group for Sustainable Development Strategy and Implementation Plan.February 2010
Belfast holds Fairtrade event at Stormont, sponsored by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.January 2010
Belfast hosts its first international Fairtrade conference at Belfast City Hall.January 2009
Belfast’s Fairtrade City status is renewed for another two years from both the UK Fairtrade Foundation and Fairtrade Mark Ireland.March 2009
Belfast holds Fairtrade event at Stormont, sponsored by Anna Lo MLA and Alex Attwood MLA.March 2008
Belfast holds Fairtrade event at Stormont, sponsored by Carmel Hanna MLA.February 2008
Fairtrade Belfast representative attends Fairtrade Towns International Conference in Brussels.March 2006
Belfast is awarded its second Fairtrade City status from Fairtrade Mark Ireland.June 2005
Belfast is awarded its first Fairtrade City status from the UK Fairtrade Foundation.December 2004 to May 2005
Fairtrade Belfast committee meets the five goals required by the UK Fairtrade Foundation.November 2004
Nominations for Fairtrade Belfast steering committee put forward.October 2004
The campaign to make Belfast a Fairtrade City is started by staff from Oxfam and Co-op Northern Ireland.Fairtrade Belfast staff
Chairman - Dr Christopher Stange
Dr Stange has a keen interest in issues related to developing countries, particularly the Caribbean Windward Islands.
His main appointments include Honorary Consul of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in Northern Ireland, Secretariat for Consular Association of Northern Ireland (CA-NI) and public relations officer for Afro-Community Support Organisation.
Before taking on the role of chairman, Dr Stange served as secretary to the group for two years. He is a strong advocate of improving conditions and market access to trade for the developing world’s farmers. These efforts focus on best practice, policy, consultation, economic and social development, investment, alleviation of poverty and educational fundraising and procurement.
"Fairtrade is vital to the economies of Caribbean and African countries by helping them access markets, not only to alleviate poverty but to give people of these regions control over their own futures," he says.
Treasurer - Reginald Clarke
Reginald has visited Northern Ireland since 1988, having lived and worked in the Middle East for more than 25 years. With a background in information technology, he has enjoyed the opportunity to work and manage people from many different ethnic origins.After finally moving to Northern Ireland, his appointments have included Treasurer of the Afro-Community Support Organisation Northern Ireland (ACSONI), a registered charity, as well as a management member of TinyLife, a registered charity in support of pre-mature babies.
He has worked very closely with his local church and travelled to Burkina Faso twice to help drill water wells. His church has also worked with local farmers to bring Fairtrade mangos to Northern Ireland to be sold to support the farmers and the church back in Burkina Faso.
"Seeing people with so little, but enjoying life to the fullest, made me realise that we take too much for granted," he says. "Having joined the Fairtrade group over two years ago, it has increased my desire to support this initiative to buy and promote Fairtrade products, which helps to improve the quality of life for the farmers.
" I see this as one simple way to positively affect people's lives in the developing world.”
Our other previous staff included:
| Post | 2004/2005 | 2005/2006 | 2006/2007 | 2007/2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairperson | Tony Weekes | Kirsten Kearney | Chris Flack | Rachel Surgeoner |
| Secretary | Suzie Hamilton | Chris Flack | Colin Caughey | Dr Christopher Stange |
| Treasurer | Vacant | Vacant | Vacant | Victoria Simms |
