Leeds schools give Fairtrade the thumbs up!
Children from 22 schools across Leeds came together to lead activities on Fairtrade, sweatshops and recycling at a special celebration at Leeds Civic Hall last Friday.
The children used peer education toolkits put together by Leeds Development Education Centre, activities designed especially for children to lead with other children.
Councillor Jane Dowson, Leeds City Council’s deputy executive member for children and families, and Paul Brennan, Leeds City Council’s deputy director of children’s services, gave out certificates to reward schools for their commitment to learning about global issues, including Fairtrade.
After learning about the issues the children were encouraged to voice their own opinions, with one child commenting: “I’ve learnt that banana workers only receive 1p out of 30p. I feel glad that there are so many people involved in Fairtrade, and that they are making things a bit fairer.”
Hannah Langdana, one of the event organisers, said:
It was a superb event with children teaching each other about how we are connected to other people around the world, and how buying Fairtrade products ensures that people are paid a fair amount for their work.
When I asked the teachers what they found useful about the event one of them said the films and peer workshops showing children in action as agents of change.
