There has been a unique collation form in Canada amongst fair trade worker co-operative.  Find below the initial release from the Canadian Alliance of Fair Trade Worker Co-operatives.

DECLARATION OF SOLIDARITY
September 30, 2009

The Canadian Alliance of Fair Trade Worker Co-operatives enthusiastically endorses and supports the aims and goals of the First National Forum of Fair Trade and Organic Products in Mexico (Sept. 29, 30, Oct. 1, 2009).

We recognize that the fair trade movement must focus on small producers and that the strengthening of organizations like Comercio Justo Mexico and CLAC are essential to ensuring the integrity of fair trade.  We represent worker co-operative businesses which are dedicated to the development of the Canadian fair trade market. We are committed to being 100 percent fair traders in Canada and to supporting the efforts of small producers around the world.

Congratulations and best wishes.

Planet Bean Coffee, Sumac Community Worker Co-operative, Guelph, Canada
Justus! Coffee Roasters Co-operative, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Contact:
Bill Barrett  bill@planetbeancoffee.com
259 Grange Road, Unit 2 Guelph, ON, Canada N1E 6R5

I’ve just recieved a press release informing that the 2010 world coffee conference will be taking place in Guatemala.  This is the third conference put on by the ICO (International Coffee Organization).

The event will bring together representatives of 77 ICO Member Governments, private sector and other organizations. This is the third ICO World Conference to be organized. The previous Conference took place in Brazil in 2005 and was attended by over 1,200 participants, including heads of states, Ministers and other high level representatives. It generated ideas and themes which have been taken up in the International Coffee Agreement (ICA) 2007 and have contributed to the development of national commodity policies of Member Governments, aiming to strengthen the global coffee sector and promoting sustainable expansion in a market-based environment.

Coffee is of exceptional importance to the livelihoods of millions of people, particularly in developing countries, and the objective of the 2010 Conference is to bring together representatives of governments and private sector at the highest level to review the issue of “Coffee for the Future:  Towards a sustainable coffee sector.”  The conference will comprise sessions dealing with the three pillars of sustainability: economic, social and environmental issues.

I would highly recommend that you register now in order not to miss the World Coffee Conference.  All information on the event itself, registration and sponsorship/booth opportunities can be found on the conference website: http://www.wcc2010guatemala.com/

You can register online at:  http://www.wcc2010guatemala.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=115

You can download the WCC2010 brochure at:  http://wcc2010guatemala.org/images/dmgs/brochure_WCC2010.pdf