by Miles Litvinoff and John Madeley
Miles Litvinoff and John Madeley, of the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice, urge us to be Fairtrade shoppers all year round.
When we arise in the morning we go into the bathroom where we reach for a sponge which is provided for us by a Pacific Islander. We reach for soap that is created for us by a European. Then, at the table we drink coffee which is provided for us by a South American, or tea by a Chinese, or cocoa by a West African. Before we leave for our jobs we are already beholden to more than half the world.
Martin Luther King
We are indebted to people across the world many of them are the very
poorest who supply the products we need. How much do they receive for
their hard work? In most cases they receive a pittance. The majority of
people want to be treated fairly and to treat others fairly. When we
buy low-cost products made abroad, do we ask ourselves how much do the
men, women or children who make their items receive for their work?
Fairtrade
has been called the success story of our time. Fairtrade is the
opposite to Unfairtrade. It is a way for us to help the worlds poorest
people every time we shop. Because of fairtrade, farmers and workers in
poor countries receive a fair and stable price or wage for their
products. In many cases they or the community to which they belong get
extra money a premium to invest in their business or community.
Products
carrying the Fairtrade label offer a guarantee to the consumer that the
goods are produced in a fair and ethical manner. Fairtrade producers
receive a fair minimum price for their goods that covers their
production costs and their basic living costs.
Buying fair
trade goods can help to Make Poverty History. It is a practical way
for each of us to bring about a more just and caring world. This years
Fairtrade Fortnight gave a much needed incentive to begin to buy
fairtrade products if you are not already doing so and if you are
already buying fairtrade goods it is an opportunity to increase the
number and range. For people serious about their desire to bring about
a more just society being an all year round Fairtrade shopper is a
practical way of putting desires into action.
In February 2008
Dublin was awarded Fairtrade Capital City status. At least 120
retailers and 60 catering companies have signed up to sell Fairtrade
products in the past 2 years. Sales of Fairtrade products in Ireland
jumped by 74% last year to more than 20 million, up from 11.5 million
in 2006.
Eleven good reasons to buy Fairtrade goods
In
the first 5 years of this new millennium there has been a 15 fold
increase in the number of fair trade products on sale in Irish shops.
There is a network of 270 Fairtrade organisations in more than 60
countries which promote Fairtrade principles. However the mainstream
international system promotes unfair trade and exploits the worlds
poorest peoples. Wealthy countries, notably the EU countries and the US
refuse to make the necessary changes. Fairtrade is crucial; it is a
viable alternative to the unjust mainstream trading system.
1. Empower women and girls
Women
produce most of the food and craftwork and make most of the clothes in
developing countries. But theyre still often treated as secondclass
citizens. Buying fair trade is a great way to support the fight for
gender equality.
2. Bring hope to coffee growers
An expansion of the market for Fairtrade-certified coffee offers hope for coffee growers not least the basic hope of eating.
3. Be part of a growing global movement
Link up with one of the most exciting developments for years!
4. Say Nuts! to unfair trade
Its
hard to make a living from nuts, whether you grow or gather them. As
with most developing country crops, the terms of trade are simply
unfair. Fair trade nuts offer producers a better deal.
5. Send a child to school
Time
and again, producers and plantation workers say how important fair
trade is in helping their children get a good education.
6. Keep on making poverty history
Buying fair trade helps producers to build more sustainable businesses and overcome poverty.
7. Promote human rights
The
United Nations says that every person is entitled to enjoy development
in which all human rights are fully realised. Fair trade promotes human
dignity, rights and freedom.
8. End child exploitation
Millions
of children worldwide are exploited, trafficked and enslaved by adults
for money, and some are injured or die as a result. Its hard to know
whether children have been exploited in producing your food, drink and
other purchases unless you buy fair trade.
9. Lift the debt burden
Small-scale
farmers and craftspeople are often burdened by heavy debts to
moneylenders. With fair trade, they can borrow what they need at lower
cost.
10. Vote for trade justice
The movement for trade justice is growing all around the world. Fair trade is part of the solution.
11. Keep families and communities together
Family
farms and rural communities are under threat everywhere from global
economic forces. Fair trade helps them survive and thrive.
Acknowledgements: FAIRTRADE Ireland, 50 Reasons to Buy FAIR TRADE
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