Melissa Keys – the conscious consumer

Melissa Keys

Local organisation Conscious Consumers were recently described by the Herald as a “phenomenon,” as since only 2010 they have been helping to shape a better world in the NZ hospo industry by accrediting the good stuff that 300 cafes and restaurants do, and communicating that to 40 000 Conscious Consumers, who have signed up to support those businesses.

Melissa Keys is one of the backbones of the Conscious crew, and in this interview she talks about why she cares about the work she does and why she wants us to be part of their next revolutionary idea, the  – !

The Good Spend Counter will mean that more free range produce, fair-trade coffee and more local suppliers will be supported by our cafes. That can only be a good thing for our animals and our local economy and our environment, so yes please .

For more info www.countmein.nz,  only one week to go.

https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/3601

http://consciousconsumers.org.nz/

Angela McLeod – UN Women helping Solomon Sisters

Angela Mcleod cropped 1

Angela McLeod has been advocating for women for a very long time and is now president of UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand.

To commemorate International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, yes that is White Ribbon Day coming up next Tuesday the 25th, UN Women Aotearoa are holding an event called Journey to Justice, to launch a project that aims to reduce violence against women in the Solomon Islands.

In this interview Angela explains what the UN Women NC Aotearoa do, why it is important for us to support our Pacific Sisters in the Solomon’s and a small but effective thing we can do in everyday life to shift our attitudes toward equality for women.

And if you want to know how to get involved with this event http://www.unwomen.org.nz/?p=2407

  • Did you know there are 600 000 people located across 9 provinces and over 100 languages in the Solomon Islands.
  • Approximately 2/3 of women in the Solomon Islands have reported experiencing physical or sexual violence ( according to  2009 study).
  • 37% of sexual violence happens before the age of 15.
  • Violence against women is widely accepted by both men and women.
  • There are relatively little support services or other forms of assistance for women who have experienced this abuse.

UN Women Wrkshp in Honiara Mphoto Marni Gilbert

 

Thanks to Marni Gilbert for this shot of  the Transformational Leadership Workshop in Honiara, 2013

Rose Mensah – fair trade inspiration

Rose Mensah

Rose Mensah, a cocoa bean farmer from Ghana came to Wellington to kick off Fair Trade Fortnight and share her story about how being in a fair trade co-op benefit’s her community.
Hearing her story lead me to ask Wellington fair trade stalwarts, Christian from Trade Aid , Matt and Kate from  and Rochelle from  about the effects on their suppliers and their products from committing their businesses to being fair trade.
I also chat to Pravin Sawmy of  about NZ’s astounding growth in Fair trade products is in just 9 years.