We’re excited to advise that the Edinburgh Fairtrade City Steering Group (EFTCSG) and Scottish Fair Trade Forum has been successful in its bid to bring the International Fair Trade Towns Conference to Edinburgh in August 2025. This conference will highlight the importance of Edinburgh - where the International Fair Trade Charter was launched - as a Fairtrade City and Scotland as a Fairtrade Nation, and the theme - the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - will bring many delegates from Fair Trade communities around the world to mix and exchange ideas with campaign groups from across this nation to come to an understanding of the criticality of Fair Trade as a central element in the achievement of many of these SDGs. The conference will increase the awareness of Fair Trade as a means of fighting the climate emergency and poverty, while advancing education, health, gender equality, and sustainable practices, and embed support for Fair Trade in many like-minded groups, networks, organisations, faith groups, civic bodies, and communities across the country.
Invitations to the conference will be extended to participants from across the globe. Although primarily aimed at campaigners, the target audience will include other stakeholders, e.g. national Fairtrade Town coordinators, Fair Trade producers, local/national government and businesses and the general public. As the SDGs are relevant to many civic society and social justice organisations and campaign groups across Scotland and beyond, it is anticipated that the agenda will attract a broad range of interests and result in significant cross-fertilisation.
Approximately 150 delegates will attend the conference, and attendance will also be offered (at no charge) to local schools, colleges and universities so that students may obtain direct insight into one of the biggest issues facing the world.
EFTCSG is now in the process of urgently raising the funds required to stage the conference, which is estimated to cost around £70,000. Any financial support, in however a small amount, is welcome. If you need more information please contact Russell Salton, Chair of EFTCSG, at [email protected] or [email protected].
Thank you in anticipation of your support for this event.