Saarlouis Re-granted Status as a Fairtrade City
Saarlouis, a small European city in Germany, continues to lead the way in promoting fair trade and sustainable consumption. In 2011, it was officially designated as a Fairtrade Town, making it one of the first municipalities in Saarland to join this international movement.
The Fairtrade Towns initiative encourages cities to make a personal contribution to fair trade and sustainable consumption. To become and remain a Fairtrade Town, a city must meet several key requirements. Saarlouis, like other participating towns, has demonstrated its commitment to these principles.
The city has a local steering group that organizes and promotes Fairtrade initiatives within the community. This group ensures the long-term maintenance of standards in Saarlouis. The availability and visibility of Fairtrade products are evident in shops, cafes, and public institutions such as schools and workplaces.
Saarlouis promotes Fairtrade awareness through events, campaigns, and informational materials, engaging local citizens and decision-makers. The city council's commitment to fair production conditions and sustainable consumption was laid in 2009, and it has continued to grow since then.
The city council's dedication to fair trade and sustainable consumption has been evident in its actions. In the current evaluation round, Saarlouis has met all five required criteria of the Fairtrade Towns campaign. The city's Fairtrade Town certification has been extended for another two years.
The benefits of becoming a Fairtrade Town are numerous. Enhanced community engagement with ethical trade and sustainability issues, economic empowerment of farmers and workers in the Global South, local pride and international recognition, and educational impacts are just a few.
Saarlouis, as a small city, believes that every individual can contribute to fair trade and sustainable consumption. The city's mayor, Marc Speicher, has emphasized the city's initial commitment to fair trade and global poverty reduction. He praised the commitment of many citizens who volunteer for fair trade.
Saarlouis understands that it cannot change the whole world, but it can uphold its claim of making a personal contribution to fair trade and sustainable consumption. The city continues to take responsibility for people worldwide, aiming to provide fair working and living conditions for producers in the global South.
The Fairtrade Towns initiative is a global movement, with more than 2,000 cities in 36 countries participating, including the UK, Sweden, Brazil, and Lebanon. For more information about the Fairtrade Towns campaign and its goals, visit www.fairtrade-towns.de.
In line with its commitment, Saarlouis extends its efforts to 'sustainable-living' by promoting Fairtrade products not only in local shops and cafes but also in public institutions, such as schools and workplaces, encouraging citizens to embrace a 'lifestyle' that supports equitable trade and the welfare of farmers and workers in the Global South. The city's dedication to this cause, as represented by its 'home-and-garden' initiatives, also includes community engagement, educational impacts, and fostering international recognition.
