Challenges, Issues and Context Perth Station Hotel – 2 September 2017

Main development issues MAKING RELEVANT – STAKEHOLDERS -MUTUAL – PURPOSE FIT  Two billion people exist on less than £1.35/day; 30,000 children die daily from preventable poverty-related disease; 70% of the world’s poorest are female with 40% of women involved in agriculture; 1.5 hectares is the average size farm plot cultivated by a Fairtrade farmer; 30% of all farmers and workers in Fairtrade are women; Over 1.8 million farmers and workers are Fairtrade certified producer organisations, equating to over nine million people directly benefitting from the Fairtrade system; The Fairtrade certification mark is an independent consumer label which can only appear on products originating from the developing world; While there are other ethical labels, Fairtrade is the only certification whose purpose is to alleviate poverty and the UNs’ SDGs in the developing world; Fairtrade is the gold standard of ethical labelling with the highest level of commitment to developing world producers; In N. Ireland (NI) we readily consume products and commodities, particularly tropical agricultural items grown in the developing world; Fairtrade does not compete with NI farming as we cannot produce these commodities locally.

Context of a Fairtrade regional campaign for Northern Ireland   Create a meaningful commitment to Fairtrade and the developing world – a legacy for Northern Ireland, including the NIA, Executive, departments, related bodies, councils, higher education institutions, schools, places of worship, businesses and individuals; Increase awareness of Fairtrade and related international development issues; Increase sales and procurement of Fairtrade products across the public and private sector, including central and local government; Contribute to the elimination of all forms of exploitation (human trafficking, child labour and trade injustice) in the developing world.

Northern Ireland primary policy and guidance on Fairtrade - KEY for Reference Department of Finance and Personnel (DfP) CPD Fairtrade Procurement Guide Notice (PGN) 02/06 (2006). Northern Ireland Executive - Sustainable Development Strategy (2010).  Promote, establish and facilitate ethical/fair trade relations which support sustainable growth. NIA & Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMdFM) – (2012). “Support, in line with cross-departmental practice, the policy of using Fairtrade products for official hospitality.” Business in the Community (BITC) – Fairtrade, A Guide for Your Business (2012). NIA Fairtrade motion passed unanimously (cross-party) – (2012).  Hansard Vol. 73 No. 4 Page 240 to: “Support and promote Fairtrade whenever possible.”   OFMdFM – Sustainable Development Statutory Duty, A Guide for Public Authorities (2013). Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust (NIABT) – Fairtrade and Corporate Social Responsibility (2013). Northern Ireland Executive’s International Relations Strategy (2014). Point 9.4 Key Principles: “To support the promotion of Fair Trade.” DfP CPD Integrating Sustainable Development into the Procurement of Food and Catering Services PGN 04/14 (2014). EU Public Procurement Directive making it easier to choose Fair Trade (2014). Public Procurement for Fairtrade Towns (2014).

2. Fairtrade University or College Utilising the five Fairtrade initiatives: DUPLICATION 1. Fairtrade Towns (Borough, District, Zone, City, Town, Village)

3. Fairtrade School 4. Fairtrade Church 5. Fairtrade Workplace

The measurable criteria for Northern Ireland to become a Fairtrade devolved region were agreed in 2012 and implemented in 2013. The criteria are: All cities and at least 55% of local authorities to have Fairtrade status; All local authority areas and at least 55% of towns with a population of 6,000 or more to have active Fairtrade groups working towards Fairtrade status; At least 60% of higher education institutions to have active Fairtrade groups working towards Fairtrade status; Northern Ireland Assembly (NIA), Executive, government departments and related bodies to use, promote and make available Fairtrade products internally, and to actively promote Fairtrade Fortnight each year; Fairtrade to be promoted in schools through the curriculum, procurement and other possible means; Schools, further education institutions, faith groups, trade unions, business networks, voluntary and youth organisations to pledge to use and promote Fairtrade. All Party Group on Fairtrade & website – 3rd Party Facilitation

Strategy Local Council – Goal 1 – widest possible Towns Initiative Share templates, reports, best practice - accountability Central Government – agree points across all departments at Ministerial level Universities and Colleges Businesses, voluntary, ethnic minority sector

Independent Assessment of Criteria

Future: Continuity and Required Support

For report and more information: www.northernirelandfairtrade.org