Global Issues Forum:
20 January 2004

BCAN Global Issues Forum Meeting

Upper Hall Woodlands 20^th January 2004

Present; RA, JM, BH, A&RH, SC, AL, DS, NB, JP, SP, SF, P&AJ, HH.

Apologies;  MM, SA, DR, DB, MO, SN, PS, NE, DD, TD, PH, CM, HH, AC, JJ, GL.

Minutes;

1) Feedback

1. From last autumn’s meeting with presentations by Kingsway, Blythswood, Eurovangelism and Aspire really good responses to Christmas appeals.
2. Andy Luxford: Brislington Christmas fairtrade event went very well, and will do again this year.
3. Cairns Road Christmas Fairtrade event was a huge success, taking more money than previous years.
4. ICQ, Philip Jinadu interested, always on the look out for interesting ways to reach people.

2) Website

Roger introduced the document with the proposed text for the GIF page on the main BCAN website (www.bcan.org.uk), and asked if members were happy with the text and if there were ideas for further links.

Proposed links;   Aid International,

                                    Jubilee Action/ Jubilee Campaign

                                    Open Doors

                                    CSW

It was questioned whether more ‘traditional’ mission agencies should be included, but was agreed to take a holistic approach.

At this point brought back to the BCAN/ EA statement of faith.

Should environmental agencies be included? It was discussed that this might mean going back to the original purpose and intentions of GIF. Agreed that this issue could be explored further.

The website should be up and running next month.

Separate from the existing GIF e-bulletins and other email/phone networking there could be a possibility of a discussion site on the website.

It was suggested and agreed that to cut down on the number of emails (and it was felt that at the moment there is just about the right amount to handle) members could post information onto the website, for others to access.

3) Fairtrade presentation. Helen Harrison of the Gloucestershire Fairtrade Network.

Fairtrade Fortnight is coming up at the beginning of March (1^st to 14^th)

25^th anniversary of Traidcraft

10^th anniversary of fairtrade fortnight.

Fairtrade fights poverty through trade;

1. Providing a Fairwage, living wage.
2. Ensures better working conditions
3. Provides fair credit facilities
4. Levies premiums for community development
5. Challenges corporate behaviour
6. Develops long term relationships between producer and supplier
7. Increased skills development

Biblical basis in; Micah 6:8, Deuteronomy 15:11, Amos 5:24

Fairtrade sales increased by 90% in 2002; £63million, with 130 different products

For further information check out the fairtrade foundations website;

www.fairtrade.org.uk

or

www.traidcraft.co.uk

Helen suggested various ways we can help promote fairtrade, during Fairtrade Fortnight (March 1st to 14th) and for the rest of 2004.

1. Fairtrade Fortnight in 2004 is from Monday 1 - Sunday 14 March and marks the tenth anniversary of the Fairtrade Mark. There will be the usual flurry of activity around our area and if you feel you would like to get involved in promoting Fairtrade locally there is lots you can do. Volunteers will be giving out samples in supermarkets, farmers markets etc and you can also raise the profile of Fairtrade in your church or workplace. Please get in touch with one of the following:
   
    Bristol:
   Tony Light (0117 950 5006 or ellantlight@hotmail.com).
   
   South Gloucestershire:
   Helen Harrison (01454 416 818 or natroz@yahoo.co.uk).
   
   You can also keep up to date with local events by going to these excellent websites:
   
   South Gloucestershire Fairtrade Network
   http://sgftn.webspace.fish.co.uk
   
   How you can help
   (individually or as a church)
   
    1. Sign up to help on a supermarket stand
    2. Hold a fairtrade event
               - in cell group,       

-in church,
  - invite a speaker
 - include FOOD and drink

3. Promote fairtrade during church services
            - sermon / talk
            - childrens activity
            - fairtrade stall
            - fairtrade tea and coffee
 4. Buy fairtrade, ask store for more
 5. Get involved in campaign for fairtrade city ( Bristol needs more retail outlets, workplaces, the City Council and community groups to register to qualify for FT city Status- contact Helen for more info)
 6. Encourage work places to source FT coffee for canteens, vending machines (Kingswood- Bridge valley) and offices (Brian Wogan & Carwadines both supply in bulk their brand of FT coffee)

Remember that consumer power does make a difference!

Also consider using ‘The good shopping guide’, or ‘The ethical consumer’ magazine for further Ft/ethical options.

Consider getting involved in the Trade Justice Movement;

www.tjm.org.uk

4) Roger briefly introduced this summers big trade justice campaign, a mass lobby at the Labour Party conference in Brighton 26^th September, followed in 2005 by a week of action (globally) in April 2005, then the G8 summit being held in the UK, and the UK’s presidential term of the EU.

5) Bob Hamer introduced the work of Aid International, a fund raising charitable trust, working in partnership with charities and aid agencies, raising funds through organised adventure bike rides, marathons and treks.

Next February (2005) Aid International are organising ‘In the footsteps of Moses’ trek  in the Sinai, Egypt.

Participants in these activities raise money for their chosen charities, small or large, Christian or not, but majority have been Christian. Worthwhile promoting this service to your organisations supporters.

For further information contact Bob Hamer; bobhamer@aidinternational.net or 0117 9476547

6) Prayer requests

And again a reminder to keep Naomi Knapp of Bristol prayer wall a breast of prayer needs!

info@bristolprayerwall.org.uk

               I.      Mustard Tree community church: are sending 6 people out to a children’s home Albania with Kingscare in July. Last year they were decorating the building, and playing with the kids, but the property is damp and they are looking to purchase land in a healthier part of the city.

             II.      Wellspring Community Church have direct links with a water project in Kenya, and are learning the hard way!

            III.      World Vision produced a youth Video, something a bit different with Bible study; ‘All the fun of the fair’.

7) Summing up.

Roger briefly introduced the idea of a GIF exhibition with members participating, getting their organisations known to wider Bristol audience. Looking at possibly autumn 2005. Ideas and input would be gratefully appreciated.

Dates for next meetings, roughly follow the

January (fairtrade events in march),

April (summer campaign events) and

September (Christmas events) pattern.

Next meetings agreed           18^th May 2004

7^th September 2004 (Which will be looking at the issues of the persecuted church: please tell Roger / Janet if you have regional contacts with any organisations involved)

Look forward to seeing you then! But in the mean time check us out at:

www.bcan.org.uk