|


Home
About ECM
Events
People
Experiences
Email Us

Mission Trips
International
Friendship
Fair Trade
Internship Possibilities

Facilities
Renting

Find a Local Ministry
Service Opportunities
Affiliated Denominations
|
The Fair Trade Movement on the K-State Campus
Shannon Howard,
founder and executive director of Esperanza en Accion (Hope Through Action)
Fair Trade Organization came to Manhattan
on a speaking tour in 2004 and 2005.
Shannon works with artisans and farmers throughout Nicaragua, promoting their work, and helping
to connect them with fair trade markets both in Nicaragua and
internationally.
Then the Fair
Trade in the Heartland Conference was conceived. This was held in November, 2006. There were 70 participants, a majority
being students who attended lectures
and workshops by the Fair Trade Project Coordinator for the Lutheran World
Relief, a University of Kansas professor and a Lead Organizer (Agricultural
Campaign) for OxFam America,
Equal Exchange Interfaith Liaison, United Students for Fair Trade members,
and student OxFam Change Leaders.
The presentations were about the World
Trade Organization and how trade has affected Africa and the U.S.
with workshops dealing with "Conscious Consumerism,"
"Organizing on Campus," "Campaigning for Change," and
"Mainstreaming Social Justice." Conversations over locally
grown and organic food and in small groups resulted in an emerging network of
students who will be planning another regional conference while encouraging
advocacy/education on fair trade on campuses and in churches.
Primary sponsors were the Ecumenical
Christian Ministries (University of Kansas), United Campus Ministry
(University of Tulsa), Ecumenical Campus Ministry (Kansas State University),
OxFam America, and the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference of the United Church of
Christ. Additional sponsors included Presbytery of Northern Kansas,
Fellowship Congregational Church (Tulsa, Oklahoma), Community Mercantile (Lawrence), African
Studies (University
of Kansas) and other
churches, organizations and individuals.
The Second Fair Trade in the Heartland
will be held April 11-13, 2008 in Lawrence,
Kansas.
Scenes from the Fair Trade in the
Heartland Conference held in Manhattan,
Kansas
  
  
|