The International Fair Trade Towns Conference takes place in Belgium this October, as we mark 21 years of the Fair Trade Towns Movement in Belgium.

We all know that current global issues like poverty, inequality, and the climate crisis show that conventional economic approaches are failing, and that Fair Trade offers a sustainable alternative.

Fair Trade Towns, organisations, labels and enterprises are leading the way in demonstrating that balancing financial, social and ecological success with the wellbeing of people and the planet is possible.

This 19th International Fair Trade Towns Conference gives us the opportunity to come together, following the success of last year’s conference hosted in Edinburgh, Scotland - and to plan our next steps as fair trade campaigners. As a Fair Trade campaigner, activist and entrepreneur, your contribution is essential this year in Belgium as we tackle the challenges we face as a movement, along with the local success stories, and the story of Fair Trade as vital to a new global economy.

Let’s come together on 9-11 October in Brussels from around Belgium, Europe and across the world as local changemakers ready to gain the support needed for systemic change and for global sustainable development.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and invite representation at this year’s International Fair Trade Towns Conference in Belgium from communities around the world, especially from young people whose voices may often go unheard. Everyone is welcome.

Please note also that the welcome event takes place on the evening of Friday 9 October, and it would be great to have as many delegates as possible there.