Newport East
Newport Wins Fairtrade City Status 16 January 2008
Jessica Morden MP Welcomes Fairtrade Award for Newport
After an in-depth assessment process, undertaken by the Fairtrade Foundation, Newport was declared a Fairtrade City in January 2008. It joins Cardiff and Swansea as one of only three Welsh cities to achieve this accolade so far.
The award comes after 18 months hard work by Newport Fairtrade Steering Group and a high profile launch in September 2006 by the then Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr and Mrs. Miqdad al-Nuami. A range of promotional events was organised, including a sell-out Fairtrade Fashion Show in the Newport Centre, Schools Fairtrade Art Competition and exhibition in the Ffwrwm, Caerleon and Fairtrade film show at The Riverfront.
Jessica Morden MP said: "I am very proud that Newport has secured this important award, it is a testament to the hard work of the Newport Fairtrade Steering Group and a reflection of Newport's commitment to social justice both here and abroad. I am pleased to have been able to support the campaign and want to continue to encourage everyone to use fairly traded products whenever possible and to keep pressing businesses to stock more fairtrade items."
The Group contacted local retail and catering outlets to ensure that Newport has the 28 shops and 14 cafes, offering at least two different fairly traded products, needed to meet the Fairtrade Foundation's strict criteria. A list of these outlets will be available in Newport's Fairtrade Directory 2008, sponsored by Newport City Council, Newport Initiative and Voice Media. This will be launched during Fairtrade Fortnight which starts on 25th February.
Having obtained Fairtrade status, the City will must now go on to establish Fairtrade firmly within the City and, hopefully, increase the number of outlets offering fairly traded goods. To this end, the Fairtrade Steering Group has exciting plans for 2008.
If you'd like more details or to get involved please contact Helen Forshaw on 01633 423356.
For more information on Fairtrade:
Newport City Council