Would you like to meet the women behind the label and understand more about alternative international approaches to trade?

At this free event, led by Think Global, you will get the chance to hear first-hand how fair trade and co-operatives are supporting the resilience of local communities, with a focus on women’s empowerment. Along with an introduction from Think Global's new CEO Jess McQuail, you'll also be able to quiz the speakers and critically engage with the of the issues presented.

Refreshments, including delicious Palestinian produce, will be served!

This Fairtade Fortnight, we are delighted to be hosting two visiting producers from Zaytoun, a community interest company which finds a market place for Palestinian produce in the UK, and Veena Nabar, a professional economist based in India who has made a short film about co-operatives and coconut growing in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

This is the first event of our Speakers' Tour, part of our three-year SUSY project which promotes the role of the Social and Solidarity Economy in creating sustainable livelihoods and meeting local, as well as global, needs.

Arrive 6pm for a 6.15pm start.

For more information about our visiting speakers, take a look at the Speakers' Tour page on our website.

EVENT UPDATE

Sadly, Bassema and Lamis have been denied their visas to travel to the UK too late for them to appeal the decision and have it overturned on the grounds of insufficient personal income and evidence of familial ties to their home country, Palestine. We are very lucky to have Taysir Arbasi, Zaytoun's Director in Palestine coming to speak at our event, and we will be connecting with Bassema and Lamis via video Skype. The event will also be attended by Cathi Pawson and Atif Choudhury, both co-founders and directors from Zaytoun.

Visits to the UK are important in strengthening the connection between customers and producers of Fairtrade Palestinian produce, and help overcome the sense of isolation felt by so many Palestinian communities under occupation.

In the spirit of solidarity, we are asking our customers and supporters to reach out and send messages of support to Lamis and Bassema, tagging your messages #NoVisaNoTrade and mentioning @Zaytoun_CIC

Think Global promotes learning for a just and sustainable world.