We just received this information from our colleagues at the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign. We're cross posting it as it's a great opportunity to find out more about Fairtrade in Nicaragua:

Fair trade and community tourism study tour to Nicaragua (28 June-13 July 2008).

"Fairtrade means conserving and improving our land and the air that we breathe. It also means education for our children, healthcare for our families and better opportunities - above all for women - to organise and take decisions. It means producers and consumers working together… Fairtrade is not just a question of money."

Blanca Rosa Molina, fair trade producer & president of the Organisation of Northern Coffee Cooperatives (CECOCAFEN), Nicaragua

The trip will give you a unique opportunity to:

* Get to know the people who produce the coffee you drink every morning
* Gain an understanding of fair trade from the perspective of producers particularly women and the young people
* Learn about the coffee chain and how small producers confront the problems they face
* Enjoy the beautiful forested mountains of northern Nicaragua, where there are trails, waterfalls, rare birds, animals, and flowers
* Understand the importance of community based rural tourism as a means of diversifying the income of small scale farmers, protecting the environment and providing tourists with a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and interaction with a community.
* Learn how fair trade has empowered producers, opened up opportunities for community organisation and development and how tourism is part of that
* Use the experience to promote the Nicaraguan producers’ perspective on fair trade on your return

What will the programme include?

* Visits and talks to enable you to gain an understanding of the impact of globalisation on Nicaragua and the effects of trade injustice and global warming on small scale farmers particularly women
* A six day stay with the families of fair trade producers an opportunity to participate in the daily life of the community and a community based tourism project
* Visits to other rural development projects, part of the Sandinista government zero hunger program.
* Trips to some of Nicaragua’s historic towns and the spectacularly beautiful coast and countryside
* Other visits and talks will be organised depending on the particular interests of the group.

‘The study tour gave me new understanding of lives of coffee producing families and the organisation of fair trade cooperatives. We shared experiences with coffee producers and also met fair trade organisations and civil society groups. These meetings not only highlighted the importance trade justice for the producers, but gave a context of the issues in wider Nicaraguan society.’

Josina Calliste, member of women’s fair trade study tour to Nicaragua, 2007

How much will it cost?

Ground and admin costs: £640 including UK/Nicaragua preparation and all costs in Nicaragua except insurance and airport taxes. Flight costs approximately £650. It is advisable to book as early as possible. Maximum size of group: 10

Further information: NSC, campaigns@nicaraguasc.org.uk tel: 020 7272 9619
Registered office: NSC, 129 Seven Sisters Rd, London N7 7QG
020 7272 9619   nsc@nicaraguasc.org.uk   www.nicaraguasc.org.uk