Steve Mauger awarded BEM

Friday 31 December 2021

Steve Mauger - who founded and still serves on Guernsey's Fairtrade Steering Group - has been awarded the BEM in the New Year's Honours List.

Mr Mauger previously volunteered with Christian Aid, organising Christian Aid Week and representing the charity as a committee member of Churches Together in Guernsey.

Fairtrade Guernsey works with the community to encourage shoppers and businesses to choose Fairtrade products which help improve the lives of millions of farmers and workers in developing countries.

The Fairtrade Foundation – an international body – has said that Mr Mauger is “an exemplar”.

He founded Fairtrade Guernsey in 2005 and remains active in the organisation.

Initially, Mr Mauger raised local awareness of the purpose of Fairtrade, built relations between the new local organisation and the Fairtrade Foundation in London and lobbied deputies and decision-makers to commit to supporting Fairtrade.

Former Deputy Mike Torode was an early supporter. He led a successful requête in the States which resulted in the island achieving Fairtrade Island status in 2006 and receiving the Fairtrade Foundation’s Outstanding Achievement Award for its first Fairtrade Fortnight.

Pictured: Fairtrade products have become an increasingly familiar sight in shops locally, such as this wine at the Co-op in Market Street.

Since then, Mr Mauger has embedded the principles of Fairtrade Guernsey into island life with an annual quiz, a breakfast, a competition for local catering students, Fairtrade jewellery, a children’s design competition in partnership with the Co-op, a football tournament and a beach clean-up.

He has brought Fairtrade producers to Guernsey to build their relationship with the island. He also gives talks to local audiences about the principles and work of Fairtrade.

Mr Mauger is a former member of the States’ Overseas Aid & Development Commission. He served in the unpaid role for 10 years from 2008.

More information about Fairtrade Guernsey is HERE.

Credit: Images from Fairtrade Guernsey and Visit Guernsey.