A highlight of the Biosphere Festival in Walsheim was the anniversary award ceremony for several ‘Fair School Classes – Fair Trade Classes’. With the classes honoured on this occasion, the campaign in the Saarpfalz district had reached the milestone of 50 award-winning school classes. On the main stage, Education Minister Christine Streichert-Clivot, Sebastian Thul, State Secretary at the Ministry for the Environment, Climate, Mobility, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, and District Administrator Frank John, together with Wynnie Mbindyo from the Fairtrade Initiative Saarland, paid tribute to the pupils’ commitment.
Nine classes and courses – including a partner school from Georgia – received awards, amongst them classes 5c, 6a, 6b and 6c from the ‘Schule an den Linden’ comprehensive school, the Childcare classes 10 and 11 and AV 10 from the Homburg Vocational Training Centre, and classes 8 to 11 from the Saarpfalz Grammar School, as well as class 10 from the ‘21st Public School, Tbilisi’. The grammar school accepted the certificate on behalf of the Georgian class; it will be officially presented to them during the next exchange. The activities organised by both schools were part of their long-standing partnership. The exchange highlights the international dimension of the campaign and combines social interaction with discussions on global responsibility and fair trade.
Christine Streichert-Clivot, Minister for Education: “As Germany’s first Fairtrade federal state, we are sending a strong message in support of fair trade and global responsibility. Education plays an important role in this: it raises awareness of global interdependencies and shows young people that their own actions can make a difference. The fact that 50 school classes in the Saarpfalz district have now received awards demonstrates just how committed our pupils are to this cause.”
During the 2025/26 school year, the classes had explored Fair Trade issues in their lessons, organised their own campaigns, publicised their activities and championed the use of Fair Trade products within their school community. The Saarpfalz-Gymnasium’s project with its partner school ‘What ends up on our table? – Fair Trade and international exchange’ focused on Fairtrade cocoa and the conditions under which it is grown, the origins of everyday foods, global production and trade structures, as well as Fairtrade products and their countries of origin. During a visit to the ‘Eine-Welt-Laden’ in Homburg, the products were presented and their origins explained. An exhibition was organised and displayed in the school’s atrium.
As part of project days focusing on consumer education, sustainability and Fairtrade, pupils at the comprehensive school explored the manufacture of clothing and the production conditions for smartphones within the global supply chains of multinational companies. “Young people in particular repeatedly demonstrate how important sustainability issues are to them. They ask questions, think critically and put their own ideas into practice. In doing so, they make an important contribution to sustainable development and the protection of our environment. This award recognises that commitment. It is both a mark of recognition and an incentive to continue along this path and to inspire others to embrace fair trade and sustainability,” said State Secretary Sebastian Thul.
At the vocational training centre, the focus was on cocoa and chocolate. Alongside poster exhibitions on cocoa cultivation and chocolate production, a cocoa trail was organised, amongst other activities. The ‘Childcare’ class explored the theme of ‘A fair and healthy breakfast in an inclusive nursery’. ‘Many thanks to everyone who is committed to this cause and demonstrates that fair trade, inclusion and sustainability can go hand in hand,’ said Wynnie Mbindyo at the award ceremony.
“50 school classes in the Saarpfalz district mark a significant milestone. Many pupils have jointly developed fair trade topics and worked on them in a participatory manner. I am certain that chocolate will be purchased with greater awareness and respect for cocoa farmers, and that people will pay closer attention to the origin of their clothing,” emphasised District Administrator Frank John.
Peter Weichardt, campaign manager for the Fairtrade Initiative Saarland, also highlighted this significant milestone: “The 50 classes are a tremendous success. They show that Fair Trade is not only discussed in lessons at schools in the Saarpfalz district, but is brought to life through practical actions and the pupils’ own commitment.”
The ‘Fair School Classes – Fair Trade Classes’ campaign will continue in the 2026/27 school year. Primary and secondary school classes can take part and explore fair trade through their own activities.
For information on the criteria and how to apply, please contact Peter Weichardt, ‘Fair School Class – Fair Trade Class’ campaign, Fairtrade Initiative Saarland: [email protected] and www.faire-klasse.de.