Trade activities continue unabated in Marburg, upholding its reputation as a city where deals are honored.
In the heart of Hesse, Marburg has once again been recognised as a Fair Trade Town, making it the fourth city in Germany to bear this prestigious title. This renewal marks another two years of commitment to fair trade practices, joining over 2000 towns in 36 countries that are part of the global network of Fair Trade Towns.
The local steering group, comprising individuals such as Vera Zimmermann, Jochen Friedrich, Andrea Heinz, Anna Kahl, Mayor Nadine Bernshausen, Dr. Fred Schelp, Agnes Lauer, Philip Kaufmann, and the yet-unidentified coordinator of the Fair Trade Steering Group, works tirelessly to uphold this commitment.
Marburg's involvement in the Fair Trade Towns campaign dates back to 2009, and the city continues to meet all five criteria of the campaign. The commitment to fair trade is particularly evident during the Christmas and Advent season, with St. Nicholas distributing fair-traded St. Nicholas figures and first-year students at Philipps University Marburg receiving fair, sweet welcomes.
The primary driving force behind Marburg's fair trade initiatives is the Marburg World Shop and its supporting association - the Initiative Solidarische Welt. These organisations collaborate with local organisations to coordinate the local fair trade campaign and implement actions, with a focus on fair chocolate and cocoa.
The renewal of the "Fair Trade Town" title for Marburg was announced at the second Marburg Chocolate Festival on September 27. Visitors to the festival can expect an information stand with a cocoa quiz, chocolate tasting quiz, wheel of fortune, and small fair surprises. The information stand will be located on the Lutheran Churchyard from 12:00 to 18:00.
Mayor Bernshausen expressed her delight at the renewal and emphasised the city's ongoing commitment to fair trade. She also highlighted the prevalence of abuses in conventional cocoa cultivation, including poor pay for farmers and widespread child labor in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. The city's support for fair trade is not just a title; it's a commitment to making a difference.
In 2023, two coffee producers from Nicaragua visited Marburg's town hall, speaking about their work in coffee cultivation, economic challenges, and the impact of climate change on coffee cultivation. The city's support enabled these guests to also speak at the Fair Week 2023 in Berlin about climate justice.
The city map "Fair Shopping, Fair Dining, Fair Dressing in Marburg" provides valuable information about fair trade, relevant product labels, and logos. The steering group raises awareness of these issues through activities such as dressing as Easter bunnies to draw attention to unfair Easter chocolate on the market square.
As of now, there are over 820 Fair Trade Towns in Germany, and Marburg continues to lead the way in Hesse. The city's dedication to fair trade is a testament to its commitment to sustainable development and social justice, aligning with the United Nations' sustainable development goals adopted in 2015.
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