In support of #FairtradeFortnight (Monday 27th February – Sunday 12th March), Joel James MS met with Fair Trade Wales on Tuesday (7th March), Nimrod Wambette and Jenipher Sambazi in the Senedd.
#FairtradeFortnight is an annual, national campaign that aims to provide people across the entire United Kingdom with the opportunity to celebrate the positive impacts of Fairtrade. The two-week campaign aims to encourage people to learn more about the difference Fairtrade practices can make to individuals and communities. This year’s theme is food, something that is at the heart of the movement.
At the event, Joel had the chance to meet with Fairtrade coffee farmers Nimrod Wambette and Jenipher Sambazi. They are also Chair and Vice Chair of the Mt Elgon Coffee Cooperative in Uganda. In their conversation, Joel discovered how climate change is impacting their ability to grow crops, particularly bananas, coffee, and chocolate, due to the increased frequency of extreme weather events.
After the event, Joel said:
“It was brilliant to meet both Nimrod and Jenipher today and learn first-hand how coffee from the slopes of Mt Elgon in Uganda makes it to South Wales.
Fair Trade is a powerful, global movement and the Welsh Government must continue to work with Fair Trade Wales to further their commitments. I am committed to supporting #FairtradeFortnight and ensuring Fairtrade is being promoted within South Wales Central.”
Since 2009, Fair Trade Wales has been working to support, grow and promote the Fair Trade movement in Wales. During this time, the organisation has been championing the rights of farmers and producers from low and middle-income countries by collaborating with schools, local authorities and retailers.
For more information about Fair Trade Wales, please visit their website.
