-Immediate release-
4 May 2010

Will MPs afternoon tea put fair trade on the political agenda?

The nation’s MPs flocked to the Beehive today to share a cuppa and be inspired by a pioneer in the fair trade movement. Organised by Trade Aid, the fair trade afternoon tea was hosted by Tauranga National Party MP, Simon Bridges (aka. young gun politician on TV ONE’s Breakfast Show) and Labour List MP, Phil Twyford (previously Oxfam’s Chief Executive).

More than 80 MPs and parliamentary staff members converged for the fair trade-themed tea party, which formed part of Trade Aid’s “Just Women” campaign marking this year’s Fair Trade Fortnight (1–16 May).

Launched in an attempt to address critical issues facing women producers – as outlined in the latest Social Watch Report – “Just Women” aims to highlight how fair trade is instrumental in helping women in the developing world break free from poverty and how Kiwis can play a part in this.

A highlight of the event was a talk by Special Guest Speaker, Meera Bhattarai. Meera – a pioneer and leader in the fair trade movement in Nepal – spoke about how her dreams and hopes for fellow women led her to found the Association for Craft Producers (ACP). ACP is a not-for-profit organisation that works with Trade Aid to support women craft producers in Nepal to become economically self-sufficient through fair trade.

Michelia Ward, Trade Aid’s Education Manager, says: “We’re delighted that so many MPs and parliamentary staff took the opportunity to attend and hear what Meera had to say. The high attendance sends out a really positive message to Kiwis regarding an important issue that affects us all.

“If we’re to succeed in communicating to New Zealanders the critical need for fair trade to ensure producers in developing countries get a fair deal, then it’s vital that we get buy-in from the country’s key decision makers.”

Ward went on to express Trade Aid’s hopes that the high level of interest demonstrated by parliament will now be converted into action, through MPs raising awareness within their communities of the need to go fair trade and properly address the impact of the global financial crisis.

To support fair trade and get involved in Fair Trade Fortnight activities in your area, visit your local Trade Aid store or check out Trade Aid’s new website: www.tradeaid.org.nz.

Trade Aid is New Zealand’s oldest and largest fair trade organisation. It attempts to understand the problems its trading partners face and shares this understanding by telling its producers’ stories and speaking out about injustices in international trade rules. Trade Aid puts people before profit and is 100 per cent committed to improving the lives of those it works with.
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