Fair Trade Fortnight 22nd Feb - 7th March

[Simon]

What is Fair Trade?

Fair trade seeks to transform the lives of poor producers in the developing world by giving them better prices for the goods they produce. This enables them to use their skills and resources to build sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their communities. Fair trade seeks to challenge injustices in trading structures and practices that lead to the exploitation of poor people.

Producers benefit from good working conditions, a decent wage, access to new markets, regular orders and participation in decision -making. For products carrying the Fair trade mark producers also receive a premium to spend on community development.

The Fairtrade Mark is an independent consumer label awarded in the UK by the Fair trade Foundation. It guarantees that the product fulfils Fairtrade criteria.

For us Fair trade is a win-win situation and a real choice for us all for which we may pay a little more but that cost isn’t overwhelming and consumers can know the profits are used to benefit everyone. The investment into communities and infrastructure guarantees communities can plan for their future and the future of their children and we enjoy quality foods, crafts, clothes and gifts from around the world.

By buying fairtrade products consumers can also send powerful signals to businessmen and governments about their concern for Justice and Ethics in trade. Consumer pressure over the last 20 years has encouraged manufacturers and retails organisations to develop fair trade ranges and challenges businesses to improve their wider impacts on society.

FAIR TRADE FORTNIGHT IS 22nd Feb-7th March and is inviting you to do the BIG SWAP!

For this year's Fairtrade Fortnight the Fair Trade foundations is asking the nation to join us in The Big Swap. For two whole weeks we'll be asking you to swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff. Your usual bananas for Fairtrade bananas, your usual cotton socks for Fairtrade cotton socks, and your usual cuppa for a Fairtrade cuppa. This means that every time you go shopping, you can use you wallet to make a stand.

For more details go to the Fairtrade Foundation website.

Other links: www.traidcraft.org and find out all about the Big Brew

Frequently asked Questions which you may like to explore.

What’s the difference between Fair Trade and Ethical Trading?
How do we know the money goes to the producer?
Do Supermarkets really help Fair trade or just help themselves?
What about the impact of international transportation on the environment?
Shouldn’t we be supporting local production and buying goods made in the UK or can we do both?


www.bananalink.org.uk
www.cafod.org.uk
www.christianaid.org.uk
www.oxfam.org.uk
www.tearfund.org

[Simon]

These are some great links to organisations both local and national that support fair trade. Some of them even run sessions locally with young people!

www.fairtrade.org.uk/resources/links.aspx