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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 » I've been awake since 5.30am. A big day always means an early start.
And believe me, this is quite a big day!
As I write this, we have people touching down in planes from Namibia and Botswana and by the time this week comes to a close, 100 people will have learnt something new about fair trade awareness.
I'm especially looking forward to meeting businesses such as Thandi after seeing their products decorating the shelves of my local Co-op back home.
One of South Africa's biggest exporters of wine, theirs was the first in the world to achieve Fairtrade status so they should have an interesting story to tell.
Most of us are now used to seeing the Fairtrade mark, but it is so much more than simply a brand. It is a symbol of justice in international trade that offers vastly improved trading conditions to farmers in the developing world.
However, stringent standards have to be met before the Fairtrade accreditation is given and businesses have to be focused on reaching this goal.
Thandi is definitely an organisation committed to its cause; an empowerment project in its truest sense that gives 90% ownership to its workers. It comes as no surprise then that Thandi comes from a Xhosa word that means 'nurturing love'.
Established in Elgin in 1995, Thandi's aim was to empower previously disadvantaged farming communities.
From the outset, it was vital to Thandi that all levels of the community were involved, in everything from growing the crop to the actual wine making.
Impressed by their progress, one of South Africa's leading wine exporters, Vinfruco, offered its mentorship and marketing expertise.
With support and mentorship from these leading players in the fruit and wine industries, communities are able to export top-class produce to countries all over the world.
And after becoming the first wine brand in the world to achieve Fairtrade accreditation in 2003, Thandi went on to win a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge in London.
So perhaps you can see why I'm excited and just slightly nervous as I get ready for the day ahead?
And as today's diverse group also includes other prestigious representatives such as the Managing Director of Fair Trade South Africa, I'd better wind this up to avoid being late!
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