Trade day culminates in 'dinner for a cause'

CEBU, Philippines - To culminate the global month-long celebration of the World Fair Trade Day in Cebu, a solidarity dinner for advocacy enthusiasts, industry players and other stakeholders will be held today, proceeds of which will be utilized for social enterprise bill promotion and for the support of local fair trade organizations.

With its continued thrust of creating opportunities for the grassroots communities through fair trade, the Southern Partners and Fair Trade Center (SPFTC) organized two major events in line with the global celebration of the World Fair Trade Day for this month.

These activities are held in partnership with the Foundation for a Sustainable Society (FSSI), St. Theresa's College (STC) and Cebu Fair Trade Network (CFTN).

Dubbed with the theme "Strengthening Fair Trade Standards", this year's celebration of the World Fair Trade Day aims to encourage the public in supporting and buying goods from fair trade producers and social enterprises.

The local celebration started with the "Tianggehan sa Fair Trade and Social Enterprise" at the Fair Trade Shop Cebu.

It served as a marketing avenue featuring food products and crafts, natural and organic goods of SPFTC, various social enterprises in Cebu and Central Visayas, members of CFTN and World Fair Trade Organization - Philippines and organic practitioners in Region 7.

On the same day, the Friends of Fair Trade Card was also launched providing incentives and freebies for loyal customers of the Fair Trade Shop Cebu.

As a culminating event, a solidarity dinner will be held today at Lakwatsa Resto Lounge with tickets priced at P999.

It will provide an avenue for the presentation of the Social Enterprise bill, a sharing on fair trade, and a treat of Filipino culture offering with a delicious treat of fair trade goodies.

It will also serve as a fund-raising event for the benefit of the Fair Trade Country Network, development programs of SPFTC and other community partners.

The dinner-for-cause is aimed at gathering representatives and members of development organizations, church, academe, government, private sector, women, youth and civil society communities.

Event organizers expect about 200 attendees who will also receive the Friends of Fair Trade Card, giving them a five percent discount on all products of the Fair Trade Shop. /JMD (FREEMAN)