Pupils from the Star programme one-day school met Central Otago mayor Malcolm Macpherson last week to talk about fair trade. Pictured with Dr Macpherson are (from left) Rhian Ward (12), Ben Fisher (13), Arran McNabb (11), Aidan Smith (12) and Royden Campbell (12).
Ben Fisher (13), was a member of the delegation that met Central Otago mayor Malcolm Macpherson last week to suggest the council buy and promote fair trade products and make Alexandra the ‘‘first fair trade town in the country, which will also help third world countries.''
The school, which is run by Central Otago Reap, is for gifted and talented children.
The rest of the delegation - Arran McNabb (11), Rhian Ward (12), Aidan Smith (12) and Royden Campbell (12), took turns to explain what fair trade was and how Central Otago could lead the way if it agreed to support fair trade products.
‘‘People in third-world countries aren't living, they're just surviving and we can help to improve things for them,'' Arran said.
The ‘‘fair trade'' label is a seal of approval that appears on products that meet internationally agreed fair trade standards and guarantees consumers their purchases will benefit the producers in developing countries, the producers' families and the surrounding communities.
Fair trade aimed to offer better trading conditions to marginalised producers and workers in developing communities.
Dr Macpherson said he could give no guarantee on how the council would vote but he supported the boys' proposal and would make sure the matter was on the agenda for the council's December meeting.
‘‘While we can't control what products people sell in their shops, we can control what goods the council buys for its staff in the services centre ,'' Dr Macpherson said.
‘‘I think rather than seeking to make Alexandra a fair trade town, a better goal would be to make the Central Otago district a fair trade district.''
The council might set up a steering group to consider the matter and he would expect the school pupils to be involved in that in some way.
‘‘If we become a fair trade district, that might inspire others, and we'd be leading the way.''
