"It was inspiring to note that Fairtrade interests volunteers also in those countries where it is just taking its first steps", said french Simon Saddier, an intern at Pro Fair Trade Finland and one of the organizers of the event. Fairtrade is taking its first steps in Latvia and Lithuania - in the near future there will be a new website for Fairtrade in Latvia, Lithuania and Russia.

The weekend offered a chance to exchange experiences of the first common international event of Fairtrade Action Network, the Fairtrade Breakfast Table, that was organized on the second Saturday of May, to celebrate the World Fair Trade Day (www.wftday.org).

Local politicians, celebrities and passers-by joined Fairtrade Breakfast Table in 5 locations in Finland and over 10 locations in France. In addition, Polish organization EFTE celebrated Fairtrade Breakfast Table as a part of their 2-day DEKONSUMPCJA festival in Warsaw. "During the spring 2009 we want to organize even bigger and better Fairtrade Breakfast Table, and to invite new countries to join in", highlighted Romain Vignes, the coordinator of volunteer activities at Fairtrade labelling initiative, Max Havelaar France.

Campaign experiences were shared throughout the weekend, and the participants learned for example, how Fairtrade can be promoted honking the horn of the car, how defence forces have been challenged to use Fairtrade products and how Halloween has been spent reverse trick-or -treating for Fairtrade.

"It was once again proved that one-to-one meetings between volunteers are an excellent way to find motivation and new ideas for action. The athmosphere in the seminar was excellent and I am convinced that the volunteers of this event will keep in contact in the future and also invite others to join the network. Anyone who is interested to promote Fairtrade on a volunteer basis and wants to exchange ideas with volunteers in different countries is welcome to join", encourages Minna Mannert from Pro Fair Trade Finland office.

The network is aiming at organizing a small meeting in October 2008 to discuss the future projects and the interest of volunteers to form an international board of FLO -volunteers. To keep updated about the October meeting and to reach the participants of Fairtrade Action Network seminars, join the Fairtrade Action Network e-mail list. In the attacment you can also find a summary of the event!

Have a look at the seminar picture album!