FAIRTRADE

Hi everyone! I have decided to blog about Fairtrade to coincide with

Fairtrade fortnight 25th February - 9th March

Below is a statement by the Fairtrade organization:

OUR VISION

"Our vision is of a world in which justice and sustainable development are at the heart of trade structures and practices so that everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood and develop their full potential.

To achieve this vision, Fairtrade seeks to transform trading structures and practices in favour of the poor and disadvantaged. By facilitating trading partnerships based on equity and transparency, Fairtrade contributes to sustainable development for marginalised producers, workers and their communities. Through demonstration of alternatives to conventional trade and other forms of advocacy, the Fairtrade movement empowers citizens to campaign for an international trade system based on justice and fairness.
Our mission
The Foundation’s mission is to work with businesses, community groups and individuals to improve the trading position of producer organisations in the South and to deliver sustainable livelihoods for farmers, workers and their communities by –

* being a passionate and ambitious development organisation committed to tackling poverty and injustice through trade
* using certification and product labelling, through the FAIRTRADE Mark, as a tool for our development goals
* bringing together producers and consumers in a citizens’ movement for change
* being recognised as the UK’s leading authority on Fairtrade

What we do

Our four key areas of activity are:

* Providing an independent certification of the trade chain, licensing use of the FAIRTRADE Mark as a consumer guarantee on products
* Facilitating the market to grow demand for Fairtrade and enable producers to sell to traders and retailers
* Working with our partners to support producer organisations and their networks
* Raising public awareness of the need for Fairtrade and the importance of the FAIRTRADE Mark

The Foundation works to the definition of Fair Trade agreed by FINE, a working group of the four international Fair Trade networks (Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International, International Fair Trade Association, Network of European World Shops and the European Fair Trade Association):

"Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalised producers and workers – especially in the South".



My commentary:

I have been a supporter of Fairtrade for a few years now and even ran a few events at my former workplace. I believe it to be of most importance to, "think before you drink" and for each individual to have a social conscience. We in the west live a very comfortable lifestyle compared to most of the population living in the developing worlds. The least we can do is to give them some assistance so they can develop their own economy, devise a sustainable infrastructure and therefore lift people out of poverty by providing long time jobs for the future.

Please take the time to watch this VERY important video:

Web links:
FairTrade
Rainforest alliance
Marks and Spencers Fairtrade