The 21st edition of Fair Trade Week, which started on 5 October, concludes on Saturday 15 October. The annual event highlights fair trade with various activities in cities across Belgium. A general campaign is running at a national level.
Organisers define fair trade as "a system that encourages sustainable development among disadvantaged producers, usually from the global south."
Here is a list of activities taking place in Brussels:
Thursday 13 October
Building a fair food future – How global food systems are creating a sustainable tomorrow
From 12:30 in Wolf Food Market, a panel discussion between Fairtrade, policymakers and industry leaders will consider what sustainable supply chains of the future should look like.
Panellists include Saskia Bricmont, Belgian MEP for the European Greens; Deborah Osei Mensah, a Fairtrade ambassador from Ghana; Xavier Rombouts, CEO of Rombouts coffee; and Paul Schoenmakers, Head of Impact at Tony’s Chocolonely from the Netherlands.
The event will be in English. Registration is mandatory.
Show: Fairtrade, what's the scam?
The show tackles questions such as: "Who benefits from fair trade? What is the ecological balance of Fairtrade products? Why are they more expensive? Should we boycott multinationals? Isn't consuming local the solution?"
Open to all and free of charge, discussion begins at 20:00 Jette Communal hall (Salle Planchard) and will be followed by a fair drink, in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Department of the City of Jette.
Thursday 13 October to Saturday 15 October
Fair Expo
The exhibition highlights the concept of “fair trade” in the global South and North; it focuses on producers and consumers.
Located at the Tour-à-Plomb Cultural Center on Rue de l'Abattoir 24. Entry is free and is open from 17:00 to 19:00 on 13 and 14 October, and from 11:00 to 17:00 on Saturday 15 October.
Credit: Canva
Saturday 15 October
Behind the label, Day of Resistance to fast-fashion
The event deconstructs and rethinks the fashion industry from the perspective of workers and the planet. A guided tour will run from 11:30 to 13:30.
At 14:00, investigate a real-fake store, the world of upcycling, screen printing on t-shirts and calling out brands online so that they respect human rights in their supply chains.
Find the Resistance at Tour-à-Plomb Cultural Center on Rue de l'Abattoir 24. Entry is free but places should be reserved.
Product campaigns and climate petition in Oxfam-World shop
The Wereldwinkels open their doors festively to close the week off in style with a lot to taste and discover.
At this event, there will be a climate petition in the shops in which Oxfam Belgium demands" concrete climate measures from our various governments". According to Oxfam, the petition already has over 5000 signatures and the organisation will hand over the petition to the relevant ministers after the UN climate conference in Egypt in November.
Stores in Brussels can be found here, for ones in other regions, go here.
Party time
A closing party will take place on Saturday at Pianofabriek (35 Rue du Fortstraat, Saint Gilles). A full schedule, including concerts, food and a fashion show can be viewed here.
