Cinema campaign in Aichach: young people enthusiastic about fair trade!

Cinema campaign in Aichach: young people enthusiastic about fair trade!

An exciting afternoon in the Cineplex Cinema Aichach on November 11th, 2025 attracted around 65 students from the Wittelsbacher Land vocational schools and the Aichach middle school. The event was organized by Michaela Greppmair, the sustainability manager in the Aichach-Friedberg district, and revolved around the important topic of fair trade. The impressive film “The chocolate war” was shown, which focuses on the living and working conditions of children in cocoa farming. The English-language performance with German subtitles was aimed specifically at young people aged 15 and over and was intended to make people think.

The young spectators were welcomed with pretzels, apples and small fair trade chocolates, which started the event with a tasteful symbol of fair trade. The students were then able to share their impressions in an open conversation with Michaela Greppmair and Petra von Thienen, spokesperson for the Fair Trade Steering Group Aichach-Friedberg. The causes and consequences of child labor in cocoa cultivation as well as possibilities for conscious consumption decisions were discussed. The young people's reactions were consistently positive; many were deeply impressed by the topic and the associated challenges.

Commitment to fair trade

With this film screening, the Aichach-Friedberg district is continuing its strong commitment to fair trade and is striving to qualify as a “Fair Trade” district. The initiative is part of a broader movement that highlights the importance of social justice, environmental responsibility and sustainable development. Nowadays, sustainability is not just a buzzword, but rather a fundamental principle of action that has the long-term well-being of people and nature in mind. This perspective, anchored in the three-pillar model, emphasizes environmental protection, long-term economics and social justice.

The term sustainability was originally coined by Hans Carl von Carlowitz in 1713 with the aim of using natural resources in such a way that their regeneration is not endangered. Today, sustainability is often seen as a future-oriented goal in politics and business. In particular, the UN's “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, launched in 2015, sets clear standards for overcoming global challenges and improving living conditions on our planet. This agenda focuses on cooperation between all countries to ensure long-term progress, social justice and environmental protection.

Create awareness

Offers such as the current cinema project are also essential to promote sustainability awareness. The distribution of information materials, including from the INKOTA network, helps young people better understand the complex issues of fair trade. The aim is to encourage them to make conscious consumption decisions and to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

The commitment of Michaela Greppmair and the entire team shows how important it is to sensitize young people to these issues and show them ways in which they can actively contribute to a fair and sustainable future. Even today, the word sustainability is still about the balance between human needs and the limits of our planet - there is really something there!