Municipalities in Gießen Promoting Fair Trade
In a gathering of Hessian municipalities and districts, the 7th networking meeting of Fairtrade municipalities and districts took place in the Gießen town hall, attracting around 60 participants.
The event kicked off with an exchange on the Fair Trade Towns campaign, a global movement that started in 2000 in the UK and now boasts over 2200 campaigns in 26 countries worldwide. The university city of Gießen, which has held the "Fair Trade Town" seal since 2011, played host to this significant gathering.
Notably, Landkreis Gießen has also been officially certified as a "Fair Trade Landkreis" by "Fair Trade Germany" since January, joining Giessen in this commitment to fair trade. Other cities and districts in Hesse that have been certified as "Fair Trade Towns" since 2011 include Fulda, Bad Homburg, Oberursel, Frankfurt, and Kronberg.
Mayor Frank-Tilo Becher of Frankfurt am Main praised the civil society engagement in his greetings, highlighting the importance of such initiatives. County Councilor Anita Schneider of Landkreis Gießen emphasized the global significance of Fair Trade for fair wages and economic prosperity in the global South. She also underscored that Fair Trade promotes fair wages, just working conditions, and the empowerment of women worldwide.
Workshops during the networking meeting focused on various aspects of Fair Trade, including fair public procurement, education work, sustainable urban planning, and strengthening steering groups. Representatives from various municipalities and districts presented successful practical examples of Fair Trade initiatives.
Simone Zorn from Fair Trade Germany provided updates on current developments in the Fair Trade movement. The Clemens-Brentano-Europaschule also became a Fair Trade School, further expanding the reach of the movement in the region.
A "Market of Opportunities" was held, where various initiatives and projects presented their work. The participants expressed gratitude for the inspiring impulses, conversations, and exchange of experiences. The city and district of Giessen also took the opportunity to thank all volunteers for their commitment to more global justice.
In Germany, over 914 certified cities and municipalities participate in the Fair Trade Towns campaign, including about 60 districts. The diversity of engagement is crucial for Fair Trade, as seen in local governments, world shops, schools, and initiative groups.
The Fair Trade City Rally in Frankfurt am Main was a testament to the growing commitment of Hessian municipalities and districts to the Fair Trade movement. The event served as a platform for sharing best practices, fostering collaboration, and inspiring more communities to join the movement for fair wages, just working conditions, and economic prosperity in the global South.
