The two steering groups of the Fairtrade Saarpfalz district and the Fairtrade City of Homburg started the new year with a new idea. For the first time, there was a joint Fairtrade New Year's reception, which was held at the Café GenussWerkstatt für Inklusion&Handwerk in Eisenbahnstraße in Homburg. The two Fairtrade representatives Anke Michalsky and Beate Ruffing were able to welcome numerous members and supporters of the steering groups as well as District Administrator Frank John and city councillor Nathalie Kroj to this premiere.
With discussions and information about Fairtrade Germany's campaigns, which primarily focus on "Fairness for Farmers", a lively exchange and various ideas for new initiatives, the reception was used to start the new Fairtrade year together. The steering committee for the city was able to introduce Gabriele Steurer as the new chair of the committee. According to Fairtrade Germany's statutes, the leadership of the steering committee should come from civic engagement, even if Anke Michalsky organises the day-to-day business as an employee of the city, just as Beate Ruffing does for the Saarpfalz district.
Gabriele Steurer comes from Homburg, is headmistress of the IGS in Eisenberg in Rhineland-Palatinate and has been committed to the Fairtrade idea for many years. Her school is a Fairtrade school, she is also involved in the World Shop in Homburg and maintains contact with the Johanneum. As a lot is done in the steering group of the city of Homburg and many people are involved there, she is happy to join in and make her contribution, she said.
Honorary Alderwoman Nathalie Kroj, who was standing in for Alderman Philipp Scheidweiler, said that the appointment fitted in very well with her responsibilities for youth, sustainability and animal welfare.
She welcomed the steering groups, Sabrina Prior and Lina Ruffing from the GenussWerkstatt and, above all, the members of the miteinander-füreinander association, which has been active in Homburg for more than 30 years and has a lot to thank for. Nathalie Kroj also praised the idea of the joint fair New Year's reception and the choice of venue because the café stands for fair and inclusive ideas. She also mentioned that recertification as a Fairtrade city was due this year and that this would require the cooperation of partners with their ideas and fair campaigns.
"The primary schools in Homburg are particularly important to us and we hope that they will set out to become Fairtrade schools or fair primary school classes," emphasised the councillor and pledged the support of the steering group. She also hoped that there would be new projects and ideas in the future.
District Administrator Frank John emphasised that he was delighted that the Saarpfalz district had been a Fairtrade district for more than ten years. Kirkel, where he was previously mayor, is also a Fairtrade community. He emphasised the good cooperation with the city of Homburg and praised the work of Anke Michalsky and Beate Ruffing. He hoped that the Fairtrade family would continue to grow, as the steering groups thrive on the commitment of those involved. He made special mention of the planting of the Children's Rights Tree, which will take place for the 10th time this year. "Perhaps there will even be a place for children's rights in the future in connection with the fact that Fairtrade strengthens children's rights," said District Administrator John, so that these - as in Trier and St. Wendel - would be made visible.
The New Year's reception also included an informative presentation by 13-year-old Matea Latz, who was introduced by Beate Ruffing. The schoolgirl from Mandelbachtal has been involved in various projects for the West African country of Burkina Faso, where her father comes from, for many years. Matea gave a very vivid account of the living conditions in Burkina Faso and the work of various aid organisations.
Boris Grosman from Netzwerk Entwicklungspolitik im Saarland e. V. (nes), with whom a workshop had already been organised at the Luitpold School, was also among the supporters, as Anke Michalsky reported. According to Grosman, projects such as "Compass Global Learning" are implemented via this network.