Students from the Island’s primary schools will be working in Tynwald next week for the very first Isle of Man Fairtrade Conference for children on Thursday 15th November.

The event is being run by the One World Centre Isle of Man and will see children debate the theme “It’s Not Fair”.  Activities will include workshops (one of which will feature chocolate!) and a debate in the Tynwald chamber hosted by President of Tynwald, the Hon Clare Christian.

Teams from 18 primary schools across the Island are taking part and the aim is that the children who attend will be able to take ideas about Fairtrade back to their schools to develop projects and activities in support of the next Fairtrade Fortnight which takes place in February 2013.

One World Centre Director Rosemary Clarke said “We are really pleased with the response from local schools to the conference and look forward to a very interesting day with the children.  The Isle of Man is currently renewing its status as a Fairtrade Island so it is a good time to engage a new generation in the concept of trading fairly and helping them understand the impact on others of the way we trade.

“We are particularly grateful to the support from the Manx Parliament Government and especially Madam President – it will be a thrill for the children to have the event in the very heart of Government and some of the debate taking place in the Tynwald chamber.”