world fair trade week May 9th - 15th 2009
World Fair Trade Day 2009 is dedicated to the people and the positive impact we can make in our community, through local and global events, that unite people and opinion, in a voice that can be heard wherever we are, whoever we are.
To mark the celebration of the World Fair Trade Day, a series of events are organised by Fair Trade Forum India, it’s member organisation in Kolkata in collaboration with FK (Fredskorpset, Norway) India Network partners, opening from May 9-15.
The world Fair Trade Day was ushered in on 9th May at 14.00 IST at the Sasha Shop on Mirza Ghalib Street, Kolkata with beating of drums and a variety of musical instruments, Folk music, Street play and general merry-making.
May 9 &10- 6PM : Public Events at Mohurkunj and Dakshinapan
“Beat poverty, Beat Climate Change, Beat Economic Crisis- Beat a Drum!!’
Come, Celebrate this World Fair Trade Day with us on 9th May.
A larger celebration with much fan-fare was held in the evening at “Mohur Kunj”, the Citizen Park located between Victoria Memorial and Nandan complex in Central Kolkata with drum beating (traditional drums and other instruments- played by traditional artists & performers) colourful display of posters, banners etc. The vibrant event was inaugurated by the Hon. Mayor of Kolkata, Mr. Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya. A similar event was also held at Dakshinapan Complex, Dhakuria in South Kolkata on May 10.
May 9-15- 10AM- 7PM : Exhibition of handicrafts, textiles and natural body care & food items at Sasha and Silence
Exhibition cum sale of sustainable and handmade textiles, crafts, natural body care & food items made by Fair Trade Producers at
An exhibition of handicrafts, textiles and natural body care & food items was thrown open for public at Sasha and Silence shops that continued over the week.
May 9-15, 6PM, 3-8 PM on all other days
Photography exhibition at Gaganendra Pradarshanshala
An exhibition of photography on human struggle and triumph – over poverty, over challenges of livelihood, food security and climate change was organised at Gaganendra Pradarshanshala, Calcutta Information Centre in collaboration with DRIK India. The event was inaugurated by noted writer, activist and Magsaysay awardee, Mahashweta Devi. The exhibition received appreciation on the selection of photographs and presentation. This exhibition continued till 15th May.
May 11: Film screening at ICCR- 2-6PM
A screening of short films on Poverty, Economic crisis & Climate Change… and interacting with the makers”
at Rabindranath Tagore Centre, ICCR, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Kolkata
On 11th May an international array of short films on poverty, climate change and economic crisis was screened at Satyajit Roy Auditorium, Kolkata was screened for the public at large. The first short film to be screened was ‘THE STORY OF STUFF’ from USA, by Annie Leonard, an expert in international sustainability and environmental health issues. The film deals with impact of consumerism and materialism on global economies and international health This was followed by a two-film offering from the camera-wielding Dalit women of Deccan Development society (DDS) in a path breaking exercise- A MARKET OF WALKOUTS, Sanghams control their markets and IN THE LAP OF PACHAMAMA, BHOTALLI, MOTHER EARTH, Sangham women visit Quechua communities in Peru. The former deals with how – and under what conditions – can diverse, localised food systems are sustained in the twenty-first century? Who gains and who loses when local food systems are strengthened? The latter deals “emergence of transnational communities and coalitions for change towards food sovereignty and active citizenship”, which finds expression in the films, which captures a visit by ’Sangham’ women to Quechua communities in Peru. The third film, MEAN SEA LEVEL, a documentary film produced by New Delhi based research & advocacy organisation, Centre for Science & Environment, portrays the plight of the residents of the island who suffer effects of climate change. The film, directed by Pradip Saha who is associated director of CSE is also associated with the science and environment fortnightly, Down To Earth (DTE). The fourth and final film UNDER THIS SUN by Nilanjan Bhattacharya, a Calcutta based filmmaker. It is a National Film Award winning documentary on preservation of the Bio-diversity, traditional & indigenous knowledge in this vast country of ours. Each film was followed by a brief interactive session with the film makers (except for The story of stuff). In all it was a vastly enriching experience for the audience.
May 15- 9:30AM – 4:30PM: Seminar at ICCR auditorium, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Kolkata
A discussion on Fair Trade – a creative response to Poverty, Financial Crisis and Climate Change?”
As part of the celebration, Fair Trade Organisations in Bengal and other partners of The Fredskorpset (FK, Norway) India network from different states jointly organised a seminar-cum discussion on 15th May, Friday, at the Satyajit Ray Auditorium of ICCR. The central theme of the seminar is ‘‘Fair Trade-a solution to poverty, climate change & economic crisis?’ Eminent panellists from Fair Trade, business & finance, economists, environmentalists and activists deliberated on the issues. The occasion was graced by an eminent panel, development practitioners, Fair Trade producers, industry, finance, academician, environmentalists, students and general public. There was an overwhelming response with wide participation from practitioners, producers, trade & industry, Government, NGOs, academicians, students and public at large.
The event was inaugurated by the Hon. British Deputy High Commissioner, Eastern India, Mr. Simon Wilson who gave an impressive speech on the issues of poverty that his government is dealing with in the developing countries and on the economic crisis in his own country & EU and the threat of climate change in general. He also spoke on the relevance of Fair Trade in such a scenario.
Ms. Roopa Mehta, Sasha gave the Inaugural address and welcomed all. She also introduced Fair Trade to the audience and its relevance in today’s times. As joint organisers, Mr. Sacha Jotisalikorn, Fredskorpset- Asia Regional Representative also shared his views on globalisation through centuries till present day and its subsequent positive & negative impacts.
The seminar was moderated by Prof. Ranjan Mitter, IIM Kolkata for the first session & Ms. Devasmita Sridhar, Development Professional for the second session respectively.
Mr. Martin Moritz, Manager with El Puente opened the discussion with his views, on overcoming the economic crisis with Fair Trade. He also shared their experience on their fight against poverty through Fair Trade. The El Puente GmbH with seat in Hildesheim is second largest importer of products of the fair trade after the GEPA
He was followed by the eminent academician Prof. Dr. Satyesh C Chakraborty, associate of the Fair Trade Movement since 1978 and till this day remains a close watcher of the Movement – its achievements and also its failures. He spoke vividly on his experiences of poverty at the grassroots, the condition of the artisan, the fate of handicrafts and how Fair Trade could be a possible solution.
The next Speaker was Mr. P.V.Satheesh, Director & founder member of Deccan Development Society (DDS). He presented a case in point on the issues of gender and food security and ecological agriculture, the fight against genetic engineering, globalization, WTO, TRIPs and such other inequitable international treaties and how DDS assists the dalit & marginalised communities prioritise their needs and through their own efforts, gain food security, enhance their natural resources, and provide education and healthcare for their communities.
The final speaker for the pre-lunch session was Gaurav Kapur, Senior Economist at ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (India). His presentation was on the present Financial crisis -- causes and the need for a sustainable development model.
The first speaker in the second session was Mr. Hirak Ghosh, IAS, former bureaucrat, educationist and environment expert. He vividly explained to the curious audience, what exactly Climate Change was, its consequences-how it affects us and the response to the problem
The second speaker was Mr. Pradip Saha, associate director CSE, the New Delhi based research & advocacy organisation, Centre for Science & Environment, CSE, editor at large of Down To Earth. the science and environment fortnightly. He made an argument around the political economy of climate change-the politics around polluting nations & carbon change. And his presentation was aptly titled “Carbon Fair: The Last Unfair Trade”
The final speaker for the day was Prof. Sugata Hazra, Director, School of Oceanographic Studies, Jadavpur University. Presently involved with Researches on Oceanic Resources & Coastal Management, Tsunamis & Potential Marine Fishing Zone Prediction. He made an interesting and thought-provoking presentation on “Climate Change & Fair Trade Options”.
The presentations were followed by a open house discussion that the audience enthusiastically participated in.
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