Since it's inception March 2006 the Fair Trade Lebanon Association has grown to nine villages.
1. Baskinta
2. Menjez
3. Abra
4. Ain Ebel
5. Baysariyeh
6. Fourzol
7. Saidoun
8. Mhaidthe
9. Kfar Tebnit
Menjez was declared Lebanon's the first fair trade village by its mayor 9th May 2013.
International fairtrade delegates Ann, Melissa, Sophi, Katarina, Jeremy and Henk arrive for the conference.
Nicholas, Denu and Kathryn
Anjali, Johann and Sophie
Day one of the conference began with the national anthem of Lebanon.
Bruce Crowther MBE talking about Garstang and his fairtrade journey
Wafa from the Najma Al Subah Cooperative talking about her experiences
Minister of State for Administrative reform, the President of Fair Trade Lebanon and the Mayor of Baskinta spoke of Jo Cox MP and her selfless work for refugees and for a tolerant and compassionate world.
It was great to see Wafa from the Najma Al Subah Cooperative again and watch her official video.
Video to be added.
During the afternoon delegates separated into their chosen workshops. My presentation was titled ''Building Bridges with the Youth in Dubai the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.''
Bruce, Matt, Anna and fairtrade co-ordinators from Japan along with many from Movement Sociale watched my impromptu fair trade puppet show.
I am very grateful to my two friends Yara and Hala who enjoyed working with Fairis the Frog, Chalak the Monkey, Chu Maya and Ram Kali.
Many thanks to William Goldstein Fair Trade Coordinator Fair Trade Towns America for taking photographs of the puppet show.
Many of the international fairtrade coordinators stayed at the tranquil Mount Sannine Hotel,
Mount Sannine
Day two began with an introduction to the town hall by national poet Abdul Ganib's son, then presentations from the international fairtrade towns coordinators.
We then separated into groups for our workshop sessions.
After the session all the delegates had lunch and we were then entertained by traditional Lebanese dancers.
I felt very honoured and privileged to join the international fairtrade coordinators meeting and participate in the discussion about the future of the International Fair Trade Towns Movement.
We ended the conference by eating dinner together and saying our farewells till next year.
The next international fair trade conference will be hosted by the lovely Florence and her team in Saarbrucken, Germany.
Thank you for reading.
Best regards to all the international fairtrade coordinators I met during this visit. I hope to learn and implement their successful fairtrade campaigns and initiatives in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.
Sabeena
Further links and reading
The International Fair Trade Towns website
Fair Trade Lebanon YouTube Channel
10th International Fair Trade Towns Conference Program
Google Drive Photos and Presentations
Greg Valerio MBE - Jeweller and Activist
Fair Trade Initiative Saarbrücken
AnaHata Dubai Community Service Blog
This August I continued to heal from my shoulder procedure (January 2022) and am learning to live with pain in my right shoulder.
My right shoulder was very painful and inflamed and I struggled to write this blog.
I attended a 2 day online webinar titled, 'Journey towards Meaningful Connectivity Exploring Value' with the Institute of Social Entrepreneurs Asia, (ISEA).
Joined the August 2023 webinar about storytelling with World Pulse.
I listened to guest speakers highlighting how to teach literacy to deaf learners from eKitabu, this session was organised by the World Literacy Foundation and Sun Books monthly webinars.
This month I continued to heal from my shoulder procedure (January 2022) and am learning to live with pain in my right shoulder.
I was very poorly and couldn't post about Plastic Free July 2023 everyday but hope to add short videos soon.
I attended a Zoom webinar titled 'The role of faith organisations tackling loneliness' organised by the Civil Society Consulting team.
Attended a Zoom webinar about social entrepreneurs and health organised by WISE women.
This month I continued to heal from my shoulder procedure (January 2022) and am learning to live with pain in my right shoulder.
I participated in the 2 day Loneliness Learning Programme organised by the Civil Society Consulting.
Attended the Fairtrade Foundation UK June 2023 Catch Up Zoom webinar.
Celebrated Eid Al Adha with my siblings.
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I'm Sabeena Ahmed owner and creator of The Little Fair Trade Shop. I've been an individual associate member of the World Fair Trade Organization since 2011 and together with my artisans I bring you a bespoke collection of ethically sourced fashion & gifts.
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