Limerick students embrace the art of Fairtrade

STUDENTS from schools across Limerick have been told that climate change is making the work of the Fairtrade organisation more important than ever.

The statement came as pupils visited Limerick City and County Council Headquarters at Merchant’s Quay to promote the Fairtrade message and to help celebrate Fairtrade Limerick’s 18th birthday.

As part of the awareness programme, the students created Christmas cards centred on the Fairtrade message of promoting fair trading practices between Ireland and developing countries.

Cards were created by pupils from schools across the city and county aged from five to 18, illustrating what Fairtrade means to them.

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Addressing the pupils, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Gerald Mitchell said: “Choosing Fairtrade means that you care how the product was produced, who produced it and what benefit they get. By choosing to support Fairtrade, you can add your voice to demands for a trade system that puts people, not profit, at the heart of the transaction.

“Our voices become louder when we speak together. It means taking a look behind the brands, the messages, and get to the real story behind the product. That is what Fairtrade is about! There are over 1.7 million producers, farmers and workers spread across more than 75 countries in the world participating in Fairtrade with sales in 2017 reaching 9.2 billion US Dollars.”

The gathering, which took place in City Hall, also marked the 18th anniversary of Limerick as a Fairtrade city.