WEFT
World in Education for Fair Trade
The charitable organisation, "WEFT" was registered in 1997 as a vehicle to pursue:
- education related to Fair Trade
- the relief of poverty, via Fair Trade
These objects were purposefully pursued by the ownership of
a trading company, One World Trading (Hull) Ltd.
In the 14 years between 1997 and 2010 the trading company turned over
just in excess of one million pounds sterling ( £1,013,000 ) which represents a
considerable benefit to artisans and farmers in many impoverished parts of the world.
In the period between CY 2000 and CY 2008 WEFT was used as a very successful vehicle to execute
a number of projects including
- the Fairtrade City project
- the Cocoa Summit
- the Wilberforce Fairtrade festival
- the Hull segment of the Global Journey
However, the increasing age of the trustees of the charity WEFT,
who also worked as the directors of the trading company, One World Trading,
caused a search for new people to drive forward with Fair Trade.
The solution was found in the form of the Hull and East Yorkshire Community Foundation (HEYCF),
and on 4th November, 2011, ownership of One World Trading (Hull) Ltd, (A.k.a. The One World Shop)
was transferred to HEYCF, and the existing directors resigned.
The Future of Fair Trade in Hull
Hull has a long and proud reputation for Fair Trade, being involved from the early days of Traidcraft
and pursuing Fair Trade during several recessions and in one of the poorer cities in U.K.
The instinctively inclusive approach taken from the outset has built a strong network of support in Hull and
the surrounding counties.
But the baton has now passed to the next generation of activists.
The Hull and East Yorkshire Community Foundation brings a strong and fresh approach
to Fair Trade, whilst valuing and building on the better parts of the old approach.
HEYCF and the One World Shop
In agreeing to take over the leadership of Fair Trade in Hull, HEYCF committed to:
- maintaining a physical retail outlet in central Hull
- working within the internationally agreed criteria for Fair Trade
- maintaining trade with existing suppliers as far as possible
- working with the existing network of supporters
- manging funds within the charitable constraints of the objects of WEFT
HEYCF also has strengths that were not present in the old organisation,
together with ideas and aspirations that make this an exciting time to
be involved in Fair Trade in the region.
The future of WEFT
WEFT and One World Trading were two legal entities forming one organisation.
Now that One World is owned by HEYCF, the purpose of WEFT has to a large extent been completed.
However, some charitable activity remains to be discharged, and WEFT will remain in place until this is completed.
Equally, there is no intention of building a future for Fair Trade related to WEFT as such an endeavour would be unsustainable.
WEFT has a story to tell, and for a brief period it has an opportunity to make the world a better place for some people.
Once that task is finished in about C.Y. 2013, the story of WEFT will be history.
Legal information
Click
here for registration details.
|
