Newsletter – n°26 – February 2014

Initiative worth following

The city of Ghent (Flanders’ second largest city) is embarking upon an innovative process in its international policy. The idea is to strengthen the local governments’ role (and capacities) in fair trade production processes in the South.

Whereas fair trade products are traditionally approached either from the consumer’s perspective in Europe or from the (cooperative) producer’s side in the South, very little is done to strengthen the local authorities’ contribution from the South in this. Local governments (can) play a catalyst role in the economic development of their territory and could hence be strengthened in their role to support fair trade producers in this respect.

Are you interested in this issue or do you know any local government with ideas, experience or interest in this matter?

If this is the case, share this as soon as possible with the city of Ghent (noord.zuid @ gent.be; wouter.boesman @ gent.be)or the association of Flemish cities and municipalities (bert.janssens @ vvsg.be)who will communicate further information. In the coming months, the city of Ghent and VVSG will invite the interested local governments and organisations to attend an inspirational meeting in order to explore the feasibility and direction of this idea. 

Photo: www.now.tufts.edu