Marburg maintains its status as a city of equal commerce
In the picturesque university town of Marburg, Germany, the commitment to fair trade continues to thrive. The town has once again been recognised as a 'Fair Trade Town' for another two years, a title it first earned in 2009, making it the first city in Hesse and the fourth in Germany to bear this distinction.
The Marburg Fair Trade Steering Group, a collective of local organisations and individuals, plays a pivotal role in promoting fair trade practices within the town. This group, consisting of members like Vera Zimmermann, Jochen Friedrich, Andrea Heinz, Anna Kahl, Mayor Nadine Bernshausen, Dr. Fred Schelp, Agnes Lauer, and Philip Kaufmann, works tirelessly to ensure that fair trade is more than just a title—it's an attitude.
Mayor Bernshausen recently expressed her gratitude towards the volunteers and members of the Steering Group, acknowledging their efforts in promoting fair trade as not just a title, but a way of life.
The town's dedication to fair trade is evident during the Christmas and Advent season, with St. Nicholas distributing fair-traded St. Nicholas figures and first-year students at Philipps University receiving fair welcome gifts.
The Marburg Steering Group, in collaboration with local organisations and businesses, has also coordinated a local campaign focusing on fair chocolate and cocoa. They raise awareness about these issues through various methods, such as dressing up as the Easter Bunny on the market square to draw attention to unfair Easter chocolate.
A city map titled 'Fair Shopping, Fair Dining, Fair Dressing in Marburg' provides valuable information on fair trade and relevant product labels, making it easier for residents and visitors to make conscious choices.
The Marburg Steering Group also collaborates with international partners. In 2023, two coffee producers from Nicaragua visited Marburg's town hall, discussing their coffee farming work, economic challenges, and the impact of climate change on coffee cultivation. The town's Fairtrade Town status also supported the visit, covering travel costs, allowing the guests to speak at the 2023 Fair Week in Berlin on climate justice.
The award of the Fair Trade Town title is presented by Fairtrade Deutschland e.V., and Marburg's status was announced at the second Marburg Chocolate Festival on September 27. Visitors could learn more about fair trade at the 'Fairtrade Town Marburg' stand, featuring an information stand, cocoa quiz, chocolate tasting quiz, spinning wheel, and small fair surprises.
Interested individuals can stay updated on important news from the town hall and city life by signing up for the newsletter of the University Town of Marburg. The town's dedication to fair trade is just one aspect of its commitment to sustainable development, aligning with the United Nations' sustainable development goals adopted in 2015.
Mayor Bernshausen underscores the importance of this commitment, emphasising the prevalence of abuses in conventional cocoa production, including poor pay for farmers and widespread child labor in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. The Marburg Fair Trade Steering Group's efforts continue to make a significant impact, encouraging a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
