World

The Earth Love Fund raises funds and awareness to support environmental conservation projects in tropical rainforests and endangered forests worldwide. Through this work ELF also helps to empower and support indigenous communities, aiding their sustainable development and traditional ways of life. www.earthlovefund.com

The Fairtrade Foundation exists to ensure a better deal for marginalised and disadvantaged third world producers. There are many opportunities for your community group, school or workplace to become involved. Does your favourite coffee shop or cafe offer Fairtrade beverages? If not, why not get them to start now! It's easier than ever before for catering venues to switch - if the House of Commons can do it, there are no excuses left! There are now 20+ national catering suppliers who between them offer almost every type of coffee, tea and service imaginable.

All you need to know to get started at www.fairtrade.org.uk

Local contacts:

Windsor and Ascot - Julie Munro, tel 01344 625646
Maidenhead - Olu Odeniyi, tel 01628 681572

Fairtrade Directory listing products available in shops in Slough, Maidenhead and Windsor.

Reading Fairtrade directory is available from RISC - see below.

RISC is a Development Education Centre working with people locally and globally to promote a more equitable distribution of the earth's resources. RISC is funded by grants from Christian Aid, the EU, National Charities Board, Oxfam and Reading Borough Council. The Centre consists of offices for local organisations, a conference hall, the World Shop which sells books and Fair Trade crafts and an organic cafe. There are also meeting rooms available for hire for exhibitions and events and the centre is used as a networking facility by many local groups.

The centre is located at 35-39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS. Tel: 0118 958 6692. E-mail risc@gn.apc.org Visit the centre at www.risc.org.uk

The Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity is an international organisation that funds projects that defend our world’s heritage of agricultural biodiversity and gastronomic traditions. It envisions a new agricultural system that respects local cultural identities, the earth’s resources, sustainable animal husbandry, and the health of individual consumers. Find out more at www.slowfoodfoundation.com

Wondering what to do for that gap year? Get up and go! There are hundreds of opportunities to join an GAP Activity Project overseas and help build a better future for others in the developing world whilst you gain from an experience of a lifetime! To find out what's on offer contact www.gap.org.uk/ now.

BTCV's Global Conservation Holidays offer a wide range of opportunities for having fun and making news friends amidst beautiful landscapes and wonderful wildlife. Sample holidays may be:

• track wolves in Slovakia
• clear reeds in Derbyshire
• build dry stone walls on Arran
• repair footpaths in Iceland
• monitor turtles in Thailand

To find out more call 01491 821600 for a brochure or visit www.btcv.org

The World Development Movement campaigns for a fairer, free and safer world. Over the past year or so it has been a major campaigner in:

• The GM seeds issue by getting a fairer deal for farmers in poor countries to prevent dependence upon multinationals
• Third World debt cancellation
• Labour rights for banana workers
• Reform of the World Trade Organisation

There is a WDM group in Slough. or find out more at www.wdm.org.uk