Category: Campaigns

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the FAIRTRADE Mark in the UK

By Santana Luis

The familiar blue and green logo, the registered Fairtrade Mark, appeared on the first UK product in 1994. The Mark is licensed by the Fairtrade Foundation, which was set up in 1992 by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft, the World Development Movement and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes. Fairtrade seeks to achieve economic, social, and environmental sustainability for farmers and workers in less developed countries. It helps to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and supports farmers to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

2024 is the 30th anniversary of the FAIRTRADE Mark in the UK, and the Fairtrade Foundation

Fairtrade Fortnight is the annual celebration of all things Fairtrade, raising awareness for the need for fairer trade to support farmers in low-income countries. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Fairtrade Mark, which lets people know what products are in line with the movement’s ethical and sustainably. 

Fairtrade now works with more than 2 million farmers and workers around the world. Between 1994 and 2022, farmers and producers have shared an estimated £1.7 billion in Fairtrade Premium payments. But with the world facing major challenges, now is the time to redouble our efforts to do more. Many of the farmers overseas who produce the goods we rely on in the UK are facing the impacts of both climate change and poverty.

Many small-scale farmers and workers in countries most affected by climate change are often experts in adapting to climate change. But unfair trade means they don’t have the money to invest in sustainable farming techniques that can secure a fairer, greener future for people, planet and the world’s food supply. 

Fairtrade are working to grow fair pay for farmers, so they have the resources and financial stability to protect the environment and adapt to the risks of climate change. Farmers are at the heart of the climate crisis; they face the worst effects of climate change and are bearing the costs to combat it. Ask the UK government to support the farmers taking on deforestation, by delivering on promised funding and making sure deforestation law gives a fair deal to farmers.  Stand with farmers taking on climate change and building a sustainable future. We must act at pace in a world in which the climate crisis, global conflicts, and the pandemic have heightened threats to farmers’ livelihoods and exposed the fragility of our shared food system. Growing Our Movement for Change Report

Every time we buy an item with the Fairtrade Mark, we are part of this movement which works in partnership with producers and workers, so that they can afford to feed their families, send their children to school, cover their farming costs, adapt to climate change and have a brighter future. We are also calling upon changemakers to promote fair trade to help producers and farmers tackle poverty and climate change, and build a sustainable trade system for all. Be the Change

Fairtrade is a worldwide movement for change and trade justice.

Transform Trade supports producers around the world. Together, we fight for a fairer trade system. we can change the way we trade – in partnership with the world’s producers – we can solve big problems. trade should support humanity – and the planet we all live on. Be part of the transformation

Everyday, inspirational producer collectives and social enterprises around the world are finding new and innovative ways to tackle global challenges.  They’re showing a better way of doing trade isn’t just possible – it’s already happening.

Transform Trade partner with these groups to build a brighter future for their communities and spread their influence around the world.  Invest in the farmers, workers and artisans who are changing the world of trade from the ground up.

During March 2021, at the Fairtrade Fortnight celebrations, the Diocese of Westminster celebrated being recognised as the first Catholic Fairtrade Diocese.

Westminster Becomes First Catholic Fairtrade Diocese

Westminster Fairtrade Award Celebration

Other Resources

CAFOD Campaigns – Fairtrade
CAFOD Schools – Fairtrade
Fairtrade Foundation Church Resources

Fairtrade Place of Worship

There are lots of ways to support Fairtrade, but just two core requirements to be awarded Fairtrade Place of Worship status:

  1. Use Fairtrade products wherever possible (at least tea, coffee and sugar) and share this information with the wider congregation. 
  2. Integrate Fairtrade into the life of your place of worship, at Fairtrade Fortnight or other times of the year e.g. events, stalls and worship. 

There is a brand-new online commitment process that’s easy to complete whether you have applied for Fairtrade status before, or not, and new certificates, posters and materials available to celebrate and showcase your Fairtrade commitment.

Fairtrade Places of Worship Guide

Thank you for being part of the Fairtrade movement and for celebrating this 30th anniversary with us. Fairtrade would not be what it is today, without your support.

Together, let’s be the change to make trade fair.

Fairtrade at 30

Fairtrade Fortnight underway 9-22 September 2024

Source: Ellen Teague, ICN

Did you know that over 500 Catholic parishes across England and Wales are certified Fairtrade?

Fairtrade Fortnight 9-22 September has the theme, ‘Be the Change,’ highlighting how consumer power can support farmers overseas to build stronger, more resilient communities.

This Fortnight, over 550 local community activities will be taking place, including talks, coffee mornings, breakfasts, film screenings, stalls, town displays and church services.

St Luke’s Catholic Church in Pinner, Westminster Archdiocese said on its Facebook page on Monday: ‘Every time each of us goes shopping, we cast a vote for the sort of world we want. So please choose goods with the Fairtrade Mark – it means the growers are paid a fair price. All our local supermarkets have some – look for bananas, tea, coffee, chocolate, nuts, jams, marmalade, sugar, wine and more. So let’s all BE THE CHANGE and choose Fairtrade.’

The Fairtrade Foundation is celebrating 30 years of Fairtrade products on UK shelves, having been established by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft, the World Development Movement and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes. Over the course of 30 years, Fairtrade has worked with more than 10,000 local Fairtrade groups and institutions in the UK, including almost 7,000 Fairtrade Places of Worship and more than 2,500 Fairtrade Schools. There are almost 5,000 Fairtrade products from coffee and tea to flowers and gold.

New YouGov research has found that almost nine in ten Britons value fair pay for farmers and workers and 69% say they have bought a Fairtrade product. Two new YouGov research studies commissioned by the Fairtrade Foundation show that Britain’s most popular Fairtrade buy is bananas (57%), closely followed by chocolate (54%) and coffee (43%). And four in every five adults in the UK (79%) are concerned about the potential effect of climate change on the price of food in the UK. A similarly high number – 69% – are concerned about the potential effect of climate change on the supply of food in the UK.

The ecumenical group Christian Concern for One World has produced a Guide ‘Fairtrade Fortnight in your Church’ and, every day is suggesting ‘a small step to support Fairtrade.’

Is your parish Fairtrade?

To find out more about Fairtrade Fortnight, visit:
www.fairtrade.org.uk/get-involved/current-campaigns/fairtrade-fortnight/

Church Guide to Fairtrade Fortnight at: www.ccow.org.uk/what-we-work-on/fair-trade/

CAFOD Fairtrade Resources for schools at: https://cafod.org.uk/education/education-resources/fairtrade-school-resources

Christians pray and protest for peace in the Holy Land in Central London, 7 September 2024

Christian bloc outside St James’ Piccadilly, 7 September 2024. Photo Credit: ICN

Source: Jo Siedlecka, Independent Catholic News

St James’ Piccadilly, was the gathering place for the Christian Bloc taking part in the 18th national march for Palestine in London on Saturday. Some participants, from churches of different denominations, came from as far away as Hertfordshire, Surrey and Sussex. After prayers together they joined the main march in Regent Street, walking alongside Jewish, Muslim and secular campaign groups, passing Hyde Park before ending near the Israeli embassy on Kensington Road. Organisers say more than 100,000 people took part.

Speaking from a stage, broadcast on screens, a series of speakers described the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank and appealed for the British government to stop arming Israel.

Daniel Kebede from the National Education Union said: “Across the UK and in many parts of the world thousands of children are returning to school. But for the children of Gaza there is no such respite from the relentless war that has blighted their young lives for almost a year now. Palestinians place a high value on the education of their children and young people. 625,000 in Gaza have been denied the inalienable right to education since October 7 last year.

“Now we are in a second school year which there is no prospect for returning to school. No respite from the relentless bombardment that is terrorising their young lives. Scholasticide is taking place in Gaza. The destruction of all education infrastructure with the deliberate targeting of schools and universities and the indiscriminate killing of children and their teachers. Almost 10,000 schoolchildren have been killed along with over 400 of their teachers.

“According to NGOs working in Gaza, 93 per cent of their schools which have specific protection under international law have sustained major damage. 156 UNRWA schools have been hit directly, despite the fact that many are providing refuge for displaced people.

“All twelve of Gaza’s universities have been bombed, leaving 88,000 students unable to continue their education. 90 percent of the Palestinian population has been displaced. Over 40,000 killed. 94,000 injured. Many more missing beneath the rubble.

“How long must this be allowed to continue? We need a ceasefire now. The ICJ has ruled that there is a credible case that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. The UK must now ban all arms sales to Israel. My union, the National Education Union will continue to stand up for the Palestinian people. We will continue to stand up for the rights of children to have an education.”

Sophie Bolt, CND Vice Chair questioned why the UK government has no money for pensioners’ cold weather payment; no money for families with more than two children – yet they have money to supply weapons to Israel.

Dr Ismail Patel from Friends of Al Aqsa expressed his grief at the barbaric behaviour of Israeli forces towards prisoners, and Palestinian civilians. By acting like this “Israel dehumanizes itself” he said.

Husam Zomlot, Palestinian Ambassador to the United Kingdom gave a heartfelt speech in which he said: “Israel has failed for 76 years to erase the Palestinian people and it will continue to fail. It must leave occupied territory now and third parties must end their support for Israel’s unlawful occupation.”

See his full address here: 

Saturday’s march was organised by a coalition of organisations, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends of Al Aqsa, the Muslim Association of Britain, the Stop the War Coalition and the Palestine Forum in Britain. The Christian Bloc included Catholic, Anglican and Methodist clergy and religious, representatives from the London Catholic Worker, Pax Christi, Christian CND and Westminster Diocese Justice and Peace.

One Christian campaigner, a retired schoolteacher, told ICN: “These marches are tiring, but they are nothing compared to the hardships experienced by people in Gaza. I can’t imagine how they survive, sleeping in makeshift tents with severe shortages of food and water. This is the least we can do.”

7 September, 12.15pm – Christian Bloc to Pray and March for Palestine

Once again this Saturday, 7 September, Westminster Justice and Peace will be joining the Christian bloc at the Ceasefire Now! rally in Central London to pray and march for peace and justice for Palestine.

The UK government has finally acknowledged that weapons made in this country are being used to commit war crimes in Palestine, but has suspended only 30 of its 350 arms contracts with Israel. Nothing short of a full arms embargo will do. The UK must stop arming Israel immediately.

Schedule

12.15 – Meet outside St James, Piccadilly, W1J 9LL
12.30 – Pray together
13.00 – Join the march

Christians for Palestine Facebook Page

To join the Christians for Palestine mailing list for updates, please write to ChristiansForPalestineUK@gmail.com

Friends of the Holy Land – Talk by Brendan Metcalfe at St Thomas More Parish, Manor House

Brendan Metcalfe, CEO at the charity Friends of the Holy Land, will be speaking at St Thomas More RC Church, 9 Henry Road, London N4 2LH on Friday 13th September at 7pm, followed by a Q&A session.

Brendan’s talk will include an update on how Friends in the Holy Land are supporting Christians in the current crisis. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Holy Land, especially as Brendan recently visited Jordan and the West Bank.

Admission free, refreshments will be served. Donations welcome.

All are very welcome to join Westminster Justice and Peace and parishioners from surrounding parishes at this talk.

LINK

Friends of the Holy Land: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/

Laudato Si’ Animators write to Prime Minister

Protect our Common Home by artist Helen Elwes

Source: John Woodhouse

Fifty-five Laudato Si’ Animators, representing all parts of the United Kingdom, have written an open letter to the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and the ministers responsible Steve Reed and Ed Milliband. They call on the government to:

1. Introduce the Climate and Nature Bill which 60,000 marched for at Restore Nature Now rally on 22 June 2024. This bill would address many issues of concern e.g. reducing greenhouse gases, ending fossil fuel extraction, restoring ecosystems.

2. Commit to a transition from animal agriculture to organic, arable agriculture. Animal agriculture is a leading cause of many present world crises – climate change; antibiotic resistance; waste of resources and global hunger (food, land, water and energy are wasted in growing food for animals to eat).

3. Commit to the signing of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT), a proposed international agreement that aims to control fossil fuel production and infrastructure expansion, and phase out fossil fuel use in a fair and equitable way. The treaty would also accelerate the transition to clean energy and economic diversification away from fossil fuels. In 2023 Pope Francis called for “the elimination of fossil fuels, and education in lifestyles that are less dependant”.

4. Support rewilding and in particular the Rewilding manifesto.

5. Ensure businesses pay for their pollution, and transition to non-polluting practices and products.

They state: “We believe that climate change is now such a threat to humanity that it should not be the subject of policies of individual political parties, but that all the parties should work together to find solutions to the problem for the common good and for the sake of our children’s children.

“Pope Francis issued a papal document Laudate Deum in October 2023 which gives a clear warning about what needs to be done urgently.

“We are sending you a photo from the march in June and a copy of a special painting by professional artist Helen Elwes who is one of the Animators which we hope you will put on your desk as a reminder that we all need to think and act to care for our common home.”

Inaugural Westminster Justice and Peace Lecture Friday 1 November 2024, 7pm, Farm Street Church

A big concern on our hearts at the moment is the need for peace in the world as we approach nearly a year of war in Gaza, as well as remembering the on-going conflicts in Ukraine and Russia, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen and elsewhere.

The guest speaker at our Inaugural Justice and Peace Lecture at Farm Street on 1 September is Baroness Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary General, who will address the theme of ‘Delivering Peace in a Multi Polar World’.

Join us to reflect deeply on how we might contribute to building a culture of peace and not war. 

Register with Eventbrite

NEXT PRAYER VIGIL FOR MIGRANTS OUTSIDE THE HOME OFFICE: MONDAY 19TH AUGUST 2024, 12.30-1.30PM

A monthly Memorial Prayer Vigil for refugees and asylum-seekers takes place on the 3rd Monday of every month outside the Home Office, SW1P 4DF, 12:30pm to 1:30pm.

Praying for

  • Those who died trying to reach the UK
  • Victims of current wars
  • Those in detention and who are homeless
  • The UK to be a more welcoming nation

Sign up to receive email news & alerts of changes or cancellation at: homeofficevigil@gmail.com

Co-sponsored by Westminster Justice and Peace Commission
London Catholic Worker and
London Churches Refugee Fund

Film Outing: Gaza – A Story of Love and War, Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley, 8 September 2024, 3.30pm

All are welcome to join the Westminster Holy Land Roundtable on an outing to the Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley, 52 High Rd, London, N2 9PJ, to see the London premiere of a ‘Gaza – A Story of Love and War’ on Sunday 8th September at 3.30pm.

There will be an in-person Q&A with director Mike Joseph after the film.

Synopsis

Two journalists meet to share stories online. Mike Joseph is Welsh, of Jewish parents, and unable to get into Gaza. Sami Abu Salem is Palestinian and unable to escape. Mike’s uncle fought in Jewish forces which destroyed Palestinian Burayr in 1948. Sami’s mother escaped from there to refuge in Gaza. Ten years earlier, Mike’s mother was expelled from Germany, to refuge in Wales. As they talk, a very personal history of the Palestinian Nakba is narrated, from 1948 to 2024. We hear remarkable connections in their stories. Their talk leads to a most unexpected question: Is coexistence possible? They dare to explore hope.

Ten days later comes Hamas’ bloody invasion. Israel responds laying siege to Gaza and killing tens of thousands.

So an exchange of impossible hopes is lost in the ashes of war and genocide.

The host and moderator of the Q+A will be Tim Llewellyn, of the Balfour Project. Tim was formerly the BBC Middle East Correspondent, amongst others covering the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.

FROM THE GUARDIAN REVIEW

“Made on an infinitesimal budget but with compassion, empathy and consideration, this documentary is the product of an encounter between two journalists…The conversation they did manage to record before all hell broke out is moving and thought-provoking. The two men emphasise how much they have in common as children of trauma, rather than what might divide them.” The Guardian

Book Tickets: https://www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/movie/gaza-a-story-of-love-and-war-director-qa

Report from St Alban’s: Prayers at the Peace Pillar for Hiroshima Commemorations

Peace Pillar at St Alban’s Abbey, Hertfordshire

By Mary Harber, Ss Alban and Stephen Church

Parishioners from Ss Alban and Stephen Church held a joint service with the St Albans’ Abbey community, and representatives of other churches and of Pax Christi, in Sumpter Yard at St Albans Abbey (Cathedral) on Sunday 4 August 2024.

This is an annual event which takes place on the Sunday closest to 6 August, when the first atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. 6 August is also the Feast of the Transfiguration.

This year the Pillar was relocated to a new site at the Abbey and to mark this change, the service started with a blessing of the Pillar in it’s new site.

Pupils from Loreto College produced Origami Peace Cranes which were distributed at all Masses in Ss Alban and Stephen Church at the weekend and were also distributed to those attending the service.

The vigil is always conducted at the Peace Pillar which is a gift from the people of Japan to the Cathedral.

It was given in 1982 to commemorate the decision of Dean Cuthbert Thicknesse to refuse to allow the Abbey bells to be rung to celebrate the end of the War in the East. At the time the Guardian reported the Dean’s decision, as explained at a council meeting on 14th August 1945, as follows:

“After the dean, who is the mayor’s chaplain, had opened the council meeting with prayer, he made a statement to the council. “Let it not be supposed,” he said, “that any of us withhold our due sense of gratitude for the mighty deliverance. The events of the last ten days had given cause for deep searchings of heart to many people. “The decision to use the atomic bomb was made by the leaders of the democratic nations. We are all, therefore, though without our consent, implicated in that act. I do not hold a service of thanksgiving in St. Albans because I cannot honestly give thanks to God for an event brought about by a wrong use of force, by an act of wholesale, indiscriminate massacre which is different in kind from all the acts of open warfare hitherto, however brutal and hideous.”

LINK

St Alban’s Cathedral: www.stalbanscathedral.org/