16
A new school of thought
‘It’s important students
don’t just stop Fairtrade
activities when they finish
school — they need to
carry it with them into
their adult lives’
Young people are flying the flag for Fairtrade
across Ireland. Bernice Mulligan reports
SOME of the most enthusiastic advocates was instrumental in Portlaoise becom- they finish school — they need to carry it According to Lucy Whittle who is
of Fairtrade in Ireland are young people ing a Fairtrade Town last year. with them into their adult lives.” co-ordinator of the Waterford One World
and this can be seen in the success of the In conjunction with another Fairtrade Someone who has carried it with her is Centre — the driving force behind
Fairtrade movement at primary and group in the vicinity, the students lob- Chloe Fitzgibbon who was one of the Waterford becoming a Fairtrade City in
secondary-school level. bied local businesses to stock more Presentation Secondary School students 2005 — schools have always been an
To become a Fairtrade school is no Fairtrade products and also organised involved in helping Portlaoise achieve integral part of its work.
mean feat. The school must carry out a various events. Finally, when enough Fairtrade Town status. Although she “In 2004 we formed a committee with
variety of activities to achieve the status, local companies had signed up, completed her Leaving Cert last year and the hope of attaining Fairtrade City status.
including: converting the school tuck Portlaoise Town Council passed a resolu- is now at college, she still regularly Right from the beginning, there was always
shop and staff room to Fairtrade prod- tion to support the movement and to meets up with Sr Raftery to organise a big focus on schools. During that period,
ucts; using the Civil, Social and serve only Fairtrade coffee and tea in Fairtrade events. we organised a variety of workshops, proj-
Political Education pack available at their offices. “At the moment we’re working very ects and events for schools in order to edu-
www.fairtrade.ie; and organising a But this was no overnight success: it closely with Scoil Aonghusa Primary cate them on the purpose of Fairtrade.”
promotion or event during Fairtrade was the culmination of much hard work. School in Stradbally, Co Laois to help it The hard work of the committee paid off
Fortnight each year. “Fairtrade has been established in the become a Fairtrade school. We’re also and in 2005 Waterford was awarded
Bearing all this in mind, receiving school for about 10 years now,” explains lobbying Laois County Council to erect Fairtrade City status. At the moment, it also
Fairtrade School status is a huge accolade Sr Barbara Raftery — the driving force signs stating Portlaoise is a Fairtrade has 12 Fairtrade schools, both primary and
in itself. However, some schools go even behind the movement there. She spent Town. It’s something we want everyone secondary.
further and directly influence those out- some years working in Pakistan and to know about and it’s our main goal “We find the schools and the pupils are
side their environment to change their wanted to instil in her students the this year.” very enthusiastic. Students have actively
habits too. concepts of justice and human rights — Another location that has been a shin- gone out and done surveys on Fairtrade
One such example is Scoil Chríost Rí, ideals Fairtrade is based on. ing light in terms of Fairtrade is and have also encouraged shopkeepers to
Presentation Secondary School in She believes keeping the momentum Waterford City. In 2007 it was recognised stock more Fairtrade products. We’ve even
Portlaoise. The perseverance of students going is crucial. “It’s important students for having the Best Schools Programme had a school write and perform a Fairtrade
here in promoting the Fairtrade message don’t just stop Fairtrade activities when at the first ever Fairtrade Towns Awards. rap,” says Whittle.
MUNCHIES THE SANDWICH EXPERTS SUPPORT FAIRTRADE
SERVING ORGANIC FAIRTRADE COFFEE, EVERY MUNCHIES PRODUCT IS MADE
FRESH DAILY IN EACH STORE FROM FRESH WHOLESOME PRODUCE
POP IN AND SAY HELLO TO
Munchies South William Street, IFSC, East Point, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay,
Baggot Street and Millennium Walk.
Munchies Beacon South Quarter is opening in March 08.
For more information on becoming a Munchies franchisee log onto
www.munchies.ie
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