The Fair Trade International Symposium 2026, Sept 23–25, University of Cologne (Global South Studies Center & the Competence Center Fair Trade)
The Fair Trade International Symposium (FTIS) 2026
The Fair Trade International Symposium (FTIS) 2026, from September 23–25, 2026, was a Hybrid Event University of Cologne, Germany hosted by the Global South Studies Center (GSSC) and the Competence Center Fair Trade (CCFT), invited scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and producer representatives to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities for Fair Trade in a rapidly changing world. FTIS is the main space for dialogue between research, politics, and practice. FTIS 2026 was organized by Prof. Dr. Boris Braun (Institute of Geography, University of Cologne) and Dr. Katharina Gröne (Social- & Cultural Anthropology, University of Cologne) and the team of the GSSC/CCFT.
Under the theme "Dynamics in an Unpredictable World", the symposium provided a vibrant, interdisciplinary platform for dialogue and collaboration across academia, policy, and practice. Its aim was to foster innovative research and practical solutions for sustainable, just, and inclusive trade systems.
Conference themes included:
Dynamics in the Global South
Dynamics in International Trade and in Fair Trade Supply Chains
Dynamics in Land and Resource Use
Dynamics in Political Discourses, Policies and Market Regulations
Dynamics among Fair Trade Institutions, Consumers & Markets
FTIS 2026 featured panel sessions, workshops, keynotes, and open forums designed to support collaborative knowledge exchange and co-creation of future pathways in Fair Trade and sustainability.
FTIS 2026 offered an important platform for the promotion of scientific exchange on the topics of 'Fair Trade' and 'Sustainability' whilst promoting dialog with policymakers and practitioners. For reserachers, the FTIS 2026 plays an important role in promoting research and knowledge exchange in the area of Fair Trade research. Researchers are given the opportunity to present new findings and to discuss current developments in a multi-disciplinary setting with room for discussion and for the development of innovative approaches and solutions to challenges in international trade, including future scientific collaborations.
For policymakers, practitioners, and producer-representatives the intensive two-and-a-halfday exchange aimed to deepen insights in current developments affecting Fair Trade, in future policy measures and in pathways to further promote fair and sustainable production, trade and consumption. Especially, the scheduled workshops are meant to be an open space for multi-stakeholder interaction.