[St Stephen's Fairtrade Group] Celebrating the launch of Fairtrade Fortnight 2003, Dr Rowan Williams, newly enthroned Archbishop of Canterbury, gave a strong endorsement of the value of Fairtrade. Speaking at a Fairtrade Event in the Chapter House of Canterbury Cathedral on Shrove Tuesday, the Archbishop stated that:

"Fairtrade has mattered to me for a good many years. Consumers can make a difference. Ordinary people, by making ordinary decisions in a particular way, can actually change things. This is not just about the principle of Fairtrade but also about the principle of how we can make a difference. We need to spread the word."

Harriet Lamb, Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, highlighted the direct benefits which Fairtrade provides to some of the world's poorest farmers. "The Church has always been a trendsetter in the area of Fairtrade," commented Harriet Lamb. She went on to say "The enthusiastic promotion of Fairtrade by the Church has contributed to the phenomenal growth in the sale of Fairtrade products over the last two years."

In the words of Denise Sutherland, a banana producer from the Windward Islands who was attending the event, "Life as a banana producer is tough and one challenge follows another. As long as I am selling in Fairtrade, I can earn enough to support my life."

At today's event, long-time supporter of Fairtrade, TV Chef Michael Barry, directed a pancake race of local clergy at which both the Archbishop and Denise Sutherland held the finishing tape beneath a banner of the new international FAIRTRADE Mark. Among the dozen clergy participating in the pancake race were the RT Revd Stephen Venner, Bishop of Dover and the Venerable Patrick Evans, Archdeacon of Canterbury.