Fairtrade Devon - schools conferences

Fairtrade Schools conferences

Devon Development Education has been coordinating Fairtrade Schools conferences in Devon for a number of years now. In recent years the focus for these conferences has been on primary schools. The aims of the conferences are always to help pupils learn about the benefits of Fairtrade and how they can promote Fairtrade in their schools. This is always done in an an engaging and interactive way. Usually the conferences also offer an opportunity to meet and hear from a Fairtrade producer.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2009 saw two very successful schools conferences, one held at Cullompton Community College involving in excess of 120 Year 5 pupils from feeder schools in the area; the other a smaller conference held in Bovey Tracey involving four primary schools in and around Bovey Tracey.

Below is a summary of the conference held at Bovey Tracey together with links to some of the activities used.


The conference began with a Fairtrade quiz and a short presentation on the benefits of Fairtrade to producers.	The pupils also heard at first hand how a community had benefited from Fairtrade. They listened to a talk by Arsene Sourabi, a mango producer from Burkina Faso. Pupils then had an opportunity to ask Arsene questions.
	Having heard about the benefits of Fairtrade from a mango producer, pupils went on to learn about producers of other products around the world. They did this through an interactive Fairtrade bingo game, in which they had to match a producer, the product they produced and the country they were from.
Pupils learnt more about the injustices of the world trading system, especially on producers in developing countries, by playing a version of the Banana Split game. In groups pupils had to determine what each of the main roles in the banana chain should be paid. The true split between different roles was then revealed. Pupils were shocked to discover how little the banana producers/workers receive for their work - just 1p on average from a banana costing 30p in the shops. Next there was an opportunity for pupils and teachers to learn more about the Fairtrade Schools Award. There was a short presentation on the Award and a chance to hear from four pupils of Ilsington Primary school on how they had successfully achieved the prestigious award, the first primary school in Devon to do so. For extracts on what they said click here. Finally, pupils were invited to consider the most effective ways of promoting Fairtrade in their schools, take these ideas back to school with them and start work on becoming a Fairtrade school!	After the conference Arsene Sourabi visited local Delicatessen Manns in Fore Street, Bovey Tracey. They are keen promoters of Fairtrade!

If you would like to join a Fairtrade conference during Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 or even at another time of year please contact Devon Development Education 01392 438811.