The fair entitled “Fà la cosa Giusta” (Do the right thing) takes place from the 13th to 15th of March 2009 at “fieramilanocity” in Milan. The event is described as a fair of critical consumption and sustainable lifestyles, and was born in Milan in 2004 as an occasion in which public and private organizations interested in working towards a sustainable development of the local economy could meet. The 2008 event boasted more than 400 exhibitors and 40 000 visitors, making it without doubt a nationally if not internationally important event. The event is organized by the organization “Terre di Mezzo”, founded in 1994 by a group of journalists interested in all things social, they produce a journal entitled “Terre di Mezzo Street Magazine” a series of blogs and as a result of the experience gained through “Fà la cosa giusta” have founded a new events organization.
The fair is broadly divided into 3 areas, ideas and projects for a knowledgeable consumption, services of the fair trade economy and everyday responsible shopping, and there is a special focus area reserved for energy efficient and ecological housing.

Within the three main areas we find a section dedicated to peace and public participation, training courses for the communication of sustainable lifestyles, fair trade tourism, ethical financing, free software and information technology ethics, organic and zero KM food production and purchasing groups, critical fashion and a section on the prison economy just to name but a few. The special housing section involves all types of sustainable consumables, from furniture to renewable energy sources, sustainable house building and house sharing. I will expand upon some of these arguments in a short series of postings over the next month.

There are several public meetings programmed about amongst other things food consumption, transport and the global economic crisis and the fair trade response.

Entrance including catalogue and book is 12 euros, with children under 14 free.

Unfortunately the web site and links from it are all only in Italian, as I presume will be the public meetings.