Olive farmer helps pass on the fair trade message

A PALESTINIAN olive farmer addressed an event involving school, college and university students yesterday to promote fair trade.

Mahmoud al Qadi was speaking at The Big Swap in Aberdeen, which encouraged people to exchange fairly-traded products.

The event, which also involved key figures in the international drive to promote fair trade, was held at Robert Gordon University’s Aberdeen Business School in partnership with Aberdeen University, Aberdeen College and the Aberdeen Third World Centre.

Niccolo Capanni, who leads the Fairtrade group at Robert Gordon University, said: “It is important to keep Scotland at the forefront of fair trade awareness and I think that it is particularly beneficial for the young people attending the event to take these important messages forward in the future.”

Fairtrade farmer Mr al Qadi – who is a member of a 32-strong co-operative back home – said the cause does not just benefit farmers but the communities they live in too.

Jamil Hijazin, who represents the Fairtrade Development Centre in Bethlehem, also spoke. Pupils from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire also presented their ideas about the campaign.

The Co-op sponsored event coincided with the country-wide Fairtrade Fortnight.