Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa 2010 Conference
Over the last two years, COFTA has grown from strength to strength, not just in our membership and programs but also in our entry into new countries in Africa, and our increasing influence in the growth of Fair Trade in the continent. Africa truly shined, through Fair Trade, and this was marked in Cairo – 2008 regional conference.
It is about that time of the year again, to celebrate our achievements, and share our dreams and vision for greater achievement in the future, COFTA would like to announce and invite you to the 2010 regional conference.
The 2010 Regional Conference will be held from the 23rd – 29th May, 2010 in Manzini, Swaziland, and we welcome our members, non-members, interested African organizations, and our partners and supporters from around the world. The 2010 conference will bring together not just the strength of our network -- our African members -- but Fair Trade Organizations and supporters from Asia, Latin America, Europe, North America, Australia and the Pacific Rim. We are honored to host this event, and we can promise you the very best of African fellowship and hospitality.
The Fair Trade movement has not just grown and changed in Africa alone. World Fair Trade organization formerly (IFAT), our Global Partner has experienced a revolution and re-energization that has resulted in both challenges and empowerment for COFTA as the African Fair Trade Network. During our Regional Conference, we will take time to address these changes and prepare our network to meet and overcome the challenges and take greater advantage of the opportunities that the Global Fair Trade movement has presented to us.
Among the issues that will be discussed at the COFTA Regional Conference 2010, include: Fair Trade Issues affecting our continent, Restructuring of WFTO and its implications for Africa, A Fair Trade Product Label for WFTO, (SFTMS), Market Access Issues, Mainstreaming African Crafts, Fair Trade Tourism in Africa, Advocacy and many other issues that are pertinent in the movement in Africa, and as such pertinent to Fair Trade Organizations in Africa.
We are excited to be hosting our conference in Swaziland, the only country with a few absolute monarchies left in the world, ruled by King Mswati III; the Kingdom of Swaziland is renowned for its ceremonial culture. The City of Manzini has a mix of the ancient and the modern, and a city whose historic influence is respected the world over. I look forward to having you join us, and on behalf of the COFTA Board, Executive Council, and the Secretariat, I welcome you.
Registration will be open as from November 9th 2009, and will be available online as well. More information concerning the 2010 conference to be provided as from November. Kindly mark on your diaries the dates of the conference, you don't want to miss!!!!!!
For questions concerning the conference kindly contact: Hilda Githaiga, communication@cofta.org or Tel: 254 (0) 20 3866008 / 6/ 7 or 386 18 97
Yours Sincerely,
Joan Karanja
Regional Director - Africa
Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa - COFTA
P. O. Box 46337 - 00100 Nairobi KENYA Rosami Court (KWFT Annex)
Muringa Road Kilimani - NAIROBI
T: +254 (0)20 3866005 - 7
F: +254 (0)20 3866008
E: jkaranja@cofta.org