“We love to listen to our customers and for this reason we would be delighted to hear from you if you would like a bespoke fair trade product made especially for you.”

Fairtrade Fortnight 2021 - London, UK with Sabeena Ahmed

Fairtrade Fortnight 2021 - London, UK with Sabeena Ahmed


Fairtrade Fortnight 2021 - London, UK 

Choose The World You Want - Festival of Climate Change Fairtrade and You - Facebook Banner courtesy of the Fairtrade Foundation

 

This year I celebrated Fairtrade Fortnight 2021 alone shielding in London, UK.

 This year the Fairtrade Foundation's campaign is about Climate Change, Fairtrade and You.

 

Day 1

I started the week with a webinar hosted by the Guardian online and journalist Lucy Siegle.

 

How is the climate crisis affecting the global food supply webinar hosted by the Guardian Online and the Fairtrade Foundation - 22 March 2021

 

How is the climate crisis affecting the global food supply webinar hosted by the Guardian Online and the Fairtrade Foundation - 22 March 2021

 

How is the climate crisis affecting the global food supply webinar hosted by the Guardian Online and the Fairtrade Foundation - 22 March 2021
Guest speakers 

 

Day 2

Meet Bernard Njoroge, Senior Programme Officer at Fairtrade Africa and Coffee Farmer.

In this video Bernard talks about the impact climate change has had on coffee farmers.

 Video courtesy of the Fairtrade Foundation UK

 

Day 3

Creativity Against the Climate Crisis webinar - Fairtrade Fortnight 2021

I participated in a webinar with actress and patron of the Fairtrade Foundation Adjoa Andoh, Actor and Fairtrade Foundation Patron, and her guests discuss the role creative expression plays in climate activism.

 

Creativity Against the Climate Crisis webinar - Fairtrade Fortnight 2021


Guests

Tracey Zengeni

Stefan Crawford

Tolmeia Gregory

Jocelyn Longdon

 

Meet Marike de Peña, Managing Director of a smallholder banana co-operative called Banelino in the Dominican Republic. In this video Marike talks about how farming communities are struggling with low prices and climate change.

 

Day 4

YUMMY!
 
INGREDIENTS
 
FOR THE ESPRESSO MOCHA BROWNIE
· 185g Essential Unsalted Dairy Butter
· 185g No.1 Peru Dark Chocolate 80%
· 3 large Waitrose Eggs British Blacktail Free Range
· 140g Waitrose Light Brown Soft Sugar
· 140g Waitrose Golden Caster Sugar
· 85g Essential Plain White Flour
· 40g Green & Black’s Fairtrade Cocoa
· 1 tbsp No.1 Peru Ground Coffee
· 50g Waitrose Walnut Pieces, roasted
· 50g Cooks’ Ingredients Milk Chocolate Chips
 
 
FOR THE COFFEE CREAM
• 400ml Essential Whipping Cream
• 150g Waitrose Belgian White Chocolate
• 10g liquid glucose
• 1 tsp ground coffee
 
#fairtradefortnight21
#fairtradebrownies

 

Day 5

 

I attended the webinar, Fairtrade Fortnight: Fairtrade, the climate crisis and engagement with Bournemouth University.

Many thanks to the Fairtrade Foundation team, Nilofur and Simone and Eleanor.

 

Fairtrade Fortnight 21: Fairtrade, the climate crisis and engagement
Fairtrade Fortnight: Fairtrade, the climate crisis and engagement

 

Fairtrade Fortnight 21: Fairtrade, the climate crisis and engagement

 

Fairtrade Fortnight 21: Fairtrade, the climate crisis and engagement

 

 Attended a Music Evening with Ghanaian musician Richard Wiafe

Music Evening with Ghanaian musician Richard Wiafe - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Music Evening with Ghanaian musician Richard Wiafe - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Music Evening with Ghanaian musician Richard Wiafe - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

Music Evening with Ghanaian musician Richard Wiafe - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

Many thanks to the Fairtrade Foundation team, Joanna and Fair Trade Yorkshire.

 

Day 6

 In this video DS Preetham explains that extreme weather conditions in recent years have affected the quantity and quality of tea produced. 

Meet DS Preetham, Fairtrade Officer at the United Nilgiri Tea Estate Company Ltd in India.

 

Day 7

I attended a webinar with Patrick Kaberia a tea farmer and Bernard Njoroje a coffee farmer from Fairtrade Africa.

This session was hosted by Chief Executive of the Fairtrade Foundation

Mr Michael Gidney

Meet the fairtrade farmers webinar Fairtrade Fortnight 21- Kenyan farmers Patrick Kaberia and Bernard Njoroge

 

 Meet the fairtrade farmers webinar Fairtrade Fortnight 21- Kenyan farmers Patrick Kaberia and Bernard Njoroge

Chief Executive of the Fairtrade Foundation Michael Gidney

 

 Meet the fairtrade farmers webinar Fairtrade Fortnight 21- Kenyan farmers Patrick Kaberia and Bernard Njoroge

Bernard Njoroge

 

Meet the fairtrade farmers webinar Fairtrade Fortnight 21- Kenyan farmers Patrick Kaberia and Bernard Njoroge

Patrick with his son and wife Lydia 

 

 Day 8

My Fairtrade Fortnight Message in Urdu

 

My Fairtrade Fortnight Message in English

 

Day 9

Fair Focus webinar, Fairtrade Fortnight 21

I attended a webinar titled Fair Focus: Boosting Supply Chain Climate Resilence with guest speakers. This session was hosted by Katie Burgess, Commercial Director at Fairtrade Foundation.

Cathryn Higgs, Head of Food Policy, Co-op

Cheryl Pinto, Values Led Sourcing Manager, Ben & Jerry’s

John Steel, CEO, Cafédirect

Anne-Marie Yao, Fairtrade Africa’s Regional Cocoa Manager for Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, member of Fairtrade Foundation board 

Fair Focus webinar, Fairtrade Fortnight 2021 - for an expert panel sharing their insights on how to build more climate resilient supply chains, and to hear the realities for producers who are on the front line of the climate crisis.

 

In the afternoon I attended a webinar hosted by the University of Derby Chaplaincy, this forum aims to inspire all faith communities into further action on climate change.

 

About this Event

We all love our planet and are concerned about how it's being damaged. As people and communities of faith, we have distinct opportunities for contributing locally and nationally to the fight against climate change. But are we fully exploiting them?

Our panellists will begin the session by introducing how their faith communities have developed campaigns and actions in response to climate change. Questions and further ideas will then be invited from the audience. The aim is that everyone leaves with new ideas to take back to their communities.

Our panellists:

Ali Akbar Islam

Keith Munnings Buddhism

Yvonne Ripley Christianity

Eve Sacker Judaism

Gagan Singh Sikhi

We all share a common concern for our planet, so the focus is less on exploring beliefs, and more about mobilising people into action.

Many thanks to all the guest speakers and the Chaplaincy at Derby University for a brilliant informative webinar.

 

A Multi Faith Climate Change Action Forum webinar - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

A Multi Faith Climate Change Action Forum webinar - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

A Multi Faith Climate Change Action Forum webinar - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

A Multi Faith Climate Change Action Forum webinar - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

 A Multi Faith Climate Change Action Forum webinar - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

A Multi Faith Climate Change Action Forum webinar - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

A Multi Faith Climate Change Action Forum webinar - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

A Multi Faith Climate Change Action Forum webinar, Fairtrade Fortnight 2021

 

A Multi Faith Climate Change Action Forum webinar - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Day 10

 I attended a webinar with Kool Skools founder Andy Ashcroft and CEO of Dibella India, Sreeranga Rajan.

Overwhelmed by such a powerful presentation by Mr Rajan.

 

Kool Skools webinar, Fairtrade Uniform, the Climate and Your School for Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Kool Skools webinar, Fairtrade Uniform, the Climate and Your School for Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Kool Skools webinar, Fairtrade Uniform, the Climate and Your School for Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Kool Skools webinar, Fairtrade Uniform, the Climate and Your School for Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Day 10 continued

In the evening I attended a Truffle Chocolate Webinar with my dear friend, chocolatier and chef Mr David Greenwood-Haigh.

 

Truffle making webinar hosted by Joanna Pollard and chef and chocolatier Mr David Greenwood-Haigh - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

Truffle making webinar hosted by Joanna Pollard and chef and chocolatier Mr David Greenwood-Haigh - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Truffle making webinar hosted by Joanna Pollard and chef and chocolatier Mr David Greenwood-Haigh - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Truffle making webinar hosted by Joanna Pollard and chef and chocolatier Mr David Greenwood-Haigh - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Day 11

This morning I attended a live Youtube webinar with my friends at Kirklees Libraries, author and Project Manager at the Lorna Young Foundation Christina Longden and father of the fairtrade towns movement Bruce Crowther MBE talk about his new book 'Not in my lifetime.'

 

Live Youtube session with Bruce Crowther MBE, Christina Longden and the Kirklees Libraries team - Fairtrade Fortnight 21 

 

Live Youtube session with Bruce Crowther MBE, Christina Longden and the Kirklees Libraries team - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Live Youtube session with Bruce Crowther MBE, Christina Longden and the Kirklees Libraries team - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Later that evening I attended a webinar organised by the Fair Trade Wales team titled 'Climate Justice for a Fairer World.'

Fair Trade Wales, Climate Justice for a Fairer World webinar- Fairtrade Fortnight 21

Fair Trade Wales, Climate Justice for a Fairer World webinar- Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Fair Trade Wales, Climate Justice for a Fairer World webinar- Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Fair Trade Wales, Climate Justice for a Fairer World webinar- Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Day 12

I attended a webinar titled 'Fairtrade in the time of Covid'

This webinar was organised by York Fair Trade Forum and guest speakers were

Immaculate and Kodzo from Shared Interest Foundation.

 York Fair Trade Forum, Fairtrade in the time of Covid, with guest speakers from Shared Interest Foundation - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

York Fair Trade Forum, Fairtrade in the time of Covid, with guest speakers from Shared Interest Foundation - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

York Fair Trade Forum, Fairtrade in the time of Covid, with guest speakers from Shared Interest Foundation - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Day 13

I attended the Climate Change Garden webinar with guest speakers.

The event was hosted by the Fairtrade Foundation.

Rachel Twamasi-Corson - Co Founder Afrocentrix

Chris Warburton-Brown - Climate Action Coordinator, the Permaculture Association

Tom Hunt - Eco-Chef, New Visual Art and Author

Mr TSG Pinto - Chamraj Tea

DS Preetham - Operations Manager, Chamraj Tea

The Climate Change Garden webinar, with guest speakers - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

The Climate Change Garden webinar, with guest speakers - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

The Climate Change Garden webinar, with guest speakers - Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

 I also attended an Indian Dance Workshop showcasing Bhangra and Bollywood Dance with Avtar Panesar and Joanna Pollard.

This event was organised by Fairtrade Connections Community Arts Festival.

Indian Dance Workshop, Avtar Panesar and Joanna Pollard with Fairtrade Connections Community Arts Festival webinar for Fairtrade Fortnight 21 

 

Indian Dance Workshop, Avtar Panesar and Joanna Pollard with Fairtrade Connections Community Arts Festival webinar for Fairtrade Fortnight 21

 

Day 14

I dressed up as a fairtrade banana to support fairtrade banana producers around the world.

Supporting fairtrade banana producers for fairtrade fortnight 21 - Sabeena Ahmed

Supporting fairtrade banana producers for fairtrade fortnight 21 -

Sabeena Ahmed

 

Supporting fairtrade banana producers for fairtrade fortnight 21 - Sabeena Ahmed

 

 

Day 15

I celebrated International Women's Day 2021

International Women's Day 2021 with Sabeena Ahmed - #AllForFairTrade #WomenOfFairTrade  #ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021  #WomensDay2021 #InternationalWomensDay2021

International Women's Day 2021 with Sabeena Ahmed - #AllForFairTrade #WomenOfFairTrade  #ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021  #WomensDay2021 #InternationalWomensDay2021

 

International Women's Day 2021 with Sabeena Ahmed - #AllForFairTrade #WomenOfFairTrade  #ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021  #WomensDay2021 #InternationalWomensDay2021

International Women's Day 2021 with Sabeena Ahmed - #AllForFairTrade #WomenOfFairTrade  #ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021  #WomensDay2021 #InternationalWomensDay2021

 

 

 

The Fairtrade Foundation 2021 UK Campaign

Choose The World You Want, Fairtrade Fortnight 2021 UK Campaign

This year Fairtrade Fortnight United Kingdom was held from 22 February to 7 March 2021

The Fairtrade Foundation 2021 UK's campaign is to show of support for the farmers behind our food on the front line of the climate crisis.

The hashtag is #CHOOSETHEWORLDYOUWANT and #CLIMATECHANGE.

A quick reminder I was so pleased to learn about the House of Commons UK also supported Fairtrade Fortnight 2020.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 at the House of Commons, UK

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 at the House of Commons, UK

 

What is Fairtrade?

This is question I get asked the most when people meet me.

Last year I was fortunate to visit Ms Moon Sharma of Tara Projects, Dehli, India and conducted a wonderful interview with her in English and Hindi/Urdu.

In this interview Ms Sharma explains what Fairtrade is in Hindi/Urdu.

What is Fairtrade, Fairtrade Kya Hai? Hindi/Urdu

 To read more about my interview with the graceful Ms Moon Sharma, Tara Projects, Dehli, India kindly click here.

 

 Here is a lovely diagram produced by Traidcraft

What is Fairtrade diagram? Credit and Source Traidcraft UK

 

What is Fairtrade Fortnight?

For two weeks each year, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to celebrate the people who grow our food, people who live in some of the poorest countries in the world and who are often exploited and badly paid. 

As the only fairtrade campaigner in the United Arab Emirates since 2008 I have been supporting fairtrade fortnight and hope my blogs will inspire others to get involved and support fairtrade.

This year the Fairtrade Foundation are focusing on  in a show of support for the farmers behind our food on the front line of the climate crisis.

This years Fairtrade Fortnight Campaign is Choose The World You Want.

Fairtrade Fortnight UK Banner 2021

Farmers and workers in countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Honduras, who have done the least to contribute to climate change, are disproportionately affected by it. They have told us that:

  • Climate change is one of their biggest challenges right now. 
  • Low prices for their crops mean that they are struggling to fight back. 
  • Only with more money will they feel equipped to meet their everyday needs and deal with the challenges they face from climate change.  

The climate crisis is an immediate and ever-increasing threat and those in climate vulnerable countries are already seeing its impacts from droughts and crop disease to floods, heatwaves and shrinking harvests.  

Source and Credit The Fairtrade Foundation UK

 

What happened last year?

For those interested I've posted photographs of Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 and 2020 for you to view at your leisure.

Thank you to my sister Irem and fairtrade friends in the UAE for modelling the fairtrade bag and supporting Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 and 2020 with me in Dubai, UAE.

Irem Ahmed models the Fairtrade Foundation UK bag for Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE with Sabeena Ahmed

Irem Ahmed models the Fairtrade Foundation UK bag for

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE 

 

Irem Ahmed models the big Fairtrade Chocolate Bar Resource for Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE with Sabeena Ahmed

Irem Ahmed models the big Fairtrade Chocolate Bar Resource for

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE

 

Irem Ahmed shows off her fairtrade story bomb for Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai and the UAE with Sabeena Ahmed

Irem Ahmed models her fairtrade story bomb for

Fairtrade Fortnight 20, Dubai, UAE

 

Many thanks to my gorgeous playwright friends who agreed to be photographed for Fairtrade Fortnight 2019.

Thank you Brenda, Tvisha, Ashwarya, Padmini, Edwige, Deborah and Julia.

 The gorgeous ladies celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight Dubai  2019 with Sabeena Ahmed 

The gorgeous ladies celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight Dubai  2019 

 

 

Edwige celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight Dubai 2019 with Sabeena Ahmed

Edwige celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2019, Dubai, UAE

 

 Two young fairtrade supporters celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 Dubai, UAE at the Emirates Literature Foundation Shindaga Dubai

 SHOW OFF YOUR FAIRTRADE LABEL AND SUPPORT FAIRTRADE

 

Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 in Dubai and the United ARab Emirates

Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2019, Dubai, UAE

 

Happy and proud to support female cocoa farmers like Rosine Bekoin of the CAYAT Co-operative, Côte d'Ivoire.

Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE - Fairtrade Resource of Rosine Bekoin She Deserves
Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE - Fairtrade Resource of Rosine Bekoin

 

During the pandemic I'd like to express my gratitude, respect and support for fairtrade farmers, producers and friends.

Love and regards
Sabeena

 

Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE - Fairtrade Resource of Fairtrade bag, She Deserves Campaign

 Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE -

Fairtrade Resource of Fairtrade bag

 

 

Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE - Fairtrade Resource Large Chocolate Bar, She Deserves Campaign

 Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE -

Fairtrade Resource Large Chocolate Bar

 

 

GET INVOLVED

If you would like to support fair trade please read about fair trade coffee, cotton, tea, sugar, bananas, gold, flowers or chocolate and get involved.

Please read the following links

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Bananas

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Chocolate

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Coffee

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Gold

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Cotton

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Flowers

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Sugar

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Tea

GET INVOLVED NOW

 

 SHOW OFF YOUR FAIRTRADE LABEL AND SUPPORT FAIRTRADE

Supporting fairtrade banana farmers, fairtrade fortnight 21 with Sabeena Ahmed

 

 Further Reading and Links

Fairtrade Foundation 

Sabeena Ahmed and The Little Fair Shop in the United Arab Emirates

BlogChatter - Blogging With A Purpose 





Also in The Little Fair Trade Blog

February 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary
February 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

My right shoulder is still very painful and inflamed again and I have struggled to type this blog.

Despite my pain I managed to attend a webinar and record videos about PIE Community members expressing an interest to join.

I celebrated World Cancer Day 2024 by creating a poster in Urdu and English.

I participated in a School for Social Entrepreneur webinar with Chris Hines MBE.

Translation in Urdu

اردو میں ترجمہ

میرا دایاں کندھا اب بھی بہت تکلیف دہ ہے اور دوبارہ سوجن ہے اور میں نے اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنے کے لیے جدوجہد کی ہے۔

اپنی تکلیف کے باوجود میں ایک ویبینار میں شرکت کرنے اور PIE کمیونٹی کے ممبران کے بارے میں ویڈیوز ریکارڈ کرنے میں کامیاب ہو گیا جو اس میں شامل ہونے میں دلچسپی کا اظہار کرتے ہیں۔

میں نے کینسر کا عالمی دن 2024 منایا

میں نے Chris Hines MBE کے ساتھ ایک سکول فار سوشل انٹرپرینیور ویبینار میں حصہ لیا۔

اردو میں ترجمہ

Continue Reading →

THRIVE LDN - Great Mental Health Day Webinars January 2024 (English and Urdu)
THRIVE LDN - Great Mental Health Day Webinars January 2024 (English and Urdu)

My sister sent me links to webinars about Great Mental Health Day which took place 26th January 2024.

I am grateful to all the guest speakers and trainers who took time out of their busy schedules to talk about Suicide Prevention, Bereavement and Write to Speak Your Poetry.

Translation in Urdu

میری بہن نے مجھے عظیم دماغی صحت کے دن کے بارے میں ویبینرز کے لنکس بھیجے جو 26 جنوری 2024 کو ہوا تھا۔

میں ان تمام مہمان مقررین اور ٹرینرز کا مشکور ہوں جنہوں نے اپنے مصروف شیڈول میں سے وقت نکال کر خودکشی کی روک تھام، سوگ اور اپنی شاعری لکھنے کے بارے میں بات کی۔


Continue Reading →

January 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary
January 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all my fair trade friends and family around the world.

My right shoulder is still very painful and inflamed again and I have struggled to type this blog.

Despite my pain I managed to attend a webinar and record videos about PIE Community members expressing an interest to join.

I joined a couple of sessions about Mental Health and Suicide Training.

These sessions were organised by THRIVE LDN.

Translation in Urdu

نیا سال مبارک ہو!

دنیا بھر میں میرے تمام منصفانہ تجارتی دوستوں اور اہل خانہ کو نیا سال مبارک ہو۔

میرا دایاں کندھا اب بھی بہت تکلیف دہ ہے اور دوبارہ سوجن ہے اور میں نے اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنے کے لیے جدوجہد کی ہے۔

اپنی تکلیف کے باوجود میں ایک ویبنار میں شرکت کرنے اور کمیونٹی کے ممبران کے بارے میں ویڈیوز ریکارڈ کرنے میں کامیاب ہو گی جو اس میں شامل ہونے میں دلچسپی کا اظہار کرتے ہیں۔

میں دماغی صحت اور خودکشی کی تربیت کے بارے میں کچھ سیشنز میں شامل ہوے۔

ان سیشنز کا اہتمام THRIVE LDN نے کیا تھا۔

Continue Reading →

 

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