An alternative to the current system of unjust trade will be the theme of a seminar organised as part of the Taste The World Fair Trade Festival being celebrated on Saturday.

Richard Adams, a member of the EU's Economic and Social Committee and a consultant on business, social and environmental programmes, is the guest speaker.

The seminar, being held at St James Cavalier, Valletta, between 9.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m., is being organised by Koperattiva Kummerc Gust in collaboration with the StoPoverty Campaign.

British High Commissioner Vincent Fean will be opening the seminar, which will be attended by a number of local specialists in the field of trade and development.

The seminar starts off with the screening of a Traidcraft documentary called Reality Check that sheds light on the workings of the World Trade Organisation.

The festival, themed Colour the Difference, is not just about the seminar but includes a free tasting of fair-traded coffee at 11 a.m. and mulled wine at 7 p.m.

There will also be a number of stalls selling a range of foodstuffs, a wide selection of CDs of world music, ceramics from the Palestinian territories, cribs from Peru, soapstone carvings from Kenya, jute carpets from Sri Lanka, and hundreds of other handmade products from Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Throughout the day, those who attend will be able to watch clips showing fair trade producers from different communities around the world, from Haiti to India.

The festival ends with a live concert featuring two exciting local bands, Zizza Ensemble and Stilair. The free concert starts at 8 p.m. More information on the festival is available on the website of the local fair trade cooperative that runs the world shop L-Arka, www.l-arka.org, or directly from the shop in St Paul's Street, Valletta. Call on 2124 4865.