Fair Trade Outreach Coordinator, MCIC – working for the Manitoba Council for International Co-operation (MCIC) and its Fair Trade Manitoba (FTM) program, educating on and promoting fair trade around the province. Fair trade ensures that global Southern producers receive a just return for their products and labour, work in a safe and respectful place, don’t harm the natural environment by their efforts, and see a premium paid to fund local health and education in their communities.
This work increases merchant and consumer awareness of fair trade; institutional, government and community policies and action on fair trade and ethical purchasing; and joint efforts by a range of organizations, churches, schools, credit unions, Community Economic Development (CED) groups, business and labour to promote and use fair trade products.
With support from MCIC / FTM, active adult and youth citizens in the Rural Municipality of Gimli organized a fair trade initiative that worked to meet all the criteria leading to the community being declared a Fair Trade Town, as recognized by Fair Trade Canada, on July 1, 2009.
Gimli has also followed up by developing a twinning relationship with Mwanza, Tanzania and supporting a project, with Youth Community Partnership and MCIC, that aims to alleviate environmental problems facing Lake Victoria and connect youth in that area with Gimli youth concerned about Lake Winnipeg.
Check out MCIC, Fair Trade Manitoba and Fair Trade Canada.
Chair, Youth Community Partnership
– a youth-led project in Gimli, Manitoba involving
Gimli High School students and alumni. YCP seeks to
harness the talents and energy of youth to identify and take action on
community issues, including the environment, recreation, healthy
lifestyles, international assistance and the role and voice of youth as
decision-makers. YCP has been awarded the Premier’s
Voluntary Service Award, Rural Forum “Youth Achievement in
Community Development” Award, and the Excellence in Sustainble
Development Award from the Province (Community Group Category).
Check out Youth Community Partnership.
Member, Manitoba Round Table for Sustainable Development – The
MRT was established by the Manitoba Government, and is chaired by the
Minister of Conservation, to offer advice and ideas on policies and
programs related to such issues as agriculture, water stewardship,
climate change, housing and waste management from the perspective of
the three pillars of sustainable development – economic, environmental and social.
Check out Manitoba Round Table.