Trade As One

Saturday May 8th marks the ninth WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY and gives us a chance to reflect a little on the impact and exciting potential that is Fair Trade.

Fair Trade is essentially the exchange of goods based on principals of economic and social justice. It goes without saying that Aid and Development work are totally crucial and much needed approaches - but what gets us most excited about Fair Trade is that it is a sustainable and systemic approach that gives people independence and dignity.  It’s not charity, nor pity, but it’s a sustainable way to break cycles of poverty and dependency.

Give a man a fish and you’ll feed him for a day (Aid)
Teach a man to fish and he’ll feed himself (Development)
Buy his fish and he has a sustainable way out of poverty (Fair Trade)

Fair Trade companies operate according to stipulated Fair Trade principles, specifically targeting those people who are traditionally bypassed by the benefits of commerce. It specifically strives to lift people out of poverty, and empowers whole communities.  Buying Fair Trade means that we obtain products with a clear conscience (actually it’s more of a feel good factor- because the effect is way above being merely neutral), and we can buy with confidence knowing that the products have been produced in a way that treats both people and planet fairly.

So, on World Fair Trade Day 2010 you might consider:
Buying a Trade as One gift certificate for instant emailing to your Mom if you haven’t got a gift yet for Mother’s Day!
How you can incorporate regular Fair Trade purchases into your life- whether it be of coffee, tea, chocolate, olive oil, body care products, apparel, gifts, jewelry, bags, home-wares, stationery.
How you can get more involved.

HAPPY (early) WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY! 

Thanks for making the world a little fairer with Fair Trade!