Winter 2006 Fair Trade Speaker Tour
Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs, CO -- Portland, OR -- Seattle, WA --
San Francisco Bay Area, CA

In February 2006, ENGAGE partnered with United Students for Fair Trade (USFT) to sponsor two Fair Trade rice farmers to travel to the USFT Annual Convergence in Denver, Colorado.  After a very exciting and energizing conference in Denver as well as visits to Boulder and Colorado Springs, Colorado, ENGAGE traveled with the farmers to the Pacific Northwest, hosting speaking events at universities, community centers, and cafés. At these events, farmers spoke about the threat free trade agreements (FTAs) pose to the livelihood of farmers, and the need to create economic alternatives like Fair Trade. In Portland, Oregon, the farmers also had the opportunity to meet directly with buyers and distributors to make the case for making Fair Trade products available in local grocery and specialty stores.

         Speakers
       Photos
      
Itinerary
February 17-19, 2006 – Denver, Colorado
Day One – 9:45-11:15 a.m.
United Students for Fair Trade (USFT) Workshop

Day Two and Day Three
Ongoing participation at USFT Annual Convergence
 
February 20, 2006 – Boulder, Colorado
Day Four
6:00 p.m.  
Event with Rise Up

February 21, 2006 – Boulder, Colorado
Day Five
6:00 p.m.  
Speaking event at Naropa University, co-sponsored by Boulder Co-op and the International Education Program at Naropa University

February 22, 2006 – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Day Six
2:00 p.m.
Gaylord Hall
Speaking event at Colorado College

February 23, 2006 – Portland, Oregon
Day Seven
Speaking event at Star E Rose Restaurant

February 24, 2006 – Portland, Oregon
Day Eight
Speaking event at Food For Thought Café
Meetings with prospective buyers and distributors

February 25, 2006 – Seattle, Washington
Day Nine
6:00 p.m.
Speaking event at Community Alliance for Global Justice

February 26, 2006 – Seattle, Washington
Day Ten
1:00 p.m.
Speaking event at Seattle University

February 27, 2006 – Oakland, California
Day Eleven
11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Speaking and networking event at TranFair USA headquarters

February 28, 2006 – Santa Clara, California
Day Twelve
6:30 9.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Speaking event at Santa Clara University