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ClimateNE & Climate Change Schools Project support the move to a low-carbon, resilient economy and help businesses avoid risk and realise commercial opportunities. Posts by Jen Atkinson, Krista McKinzey and Harriet Thew » What a day it turned out to be yesterday, with chocolate playing a major part.
There were 25 businesses from a broad range of backgrounds, including a chocolate company to South Africa's largest exporter of fair trade fruit, as well as several handicraft groups.
I started out with a popular game based around (yes you guessed it!) chocolate, which shows how funds are unfairly distributed in general trade - with the crafts person or farmer at the bottom of the supply chain, barely making enough to survive.
We then discussed how fair trade works to correct this system and raise incomes.
Despite being from different backgrounds, everyone in the room had one huge thing in common, and it wasn't chocolate this time! It was a commitment to improving the lives of their workers.
One group in particular with huge passion and enthusiasm for fair trade and the principles behind it was the Soulicious Chocolate Company.
In their own words, they create their product 'out of compassionate minds and soulful hearts'.
One of their major aims is for Africa to get more international recognition for this raw material. That is why they use superior cocoa from the heart of the country as their main ingredient.
Fairtrade certification will offer Soulicious better trading conditions, securing the livelihoods of marginalized farmers and workers in the developing world.
If the company gains Fairtrade status, they will use the premium involved, along with any profits they make, to set up nutritional cooking classes for children and their parents.
With more than 130 retail products in the United Kingdom now carrying the Fairtrade mark, I am keen to help empower more businesses like Soulicious to reach this goal.
To see that there is as much passion for fair trade in South Africa as there is in the UK is inspiring. And after the nervous anticipation before yesterday's session, all I feel now is excitement to do it again and again- with a little more chocolate thrown in for good measure!
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