What Is Fair Trade? Fair trade is a powerful tool that aims to empower marginalized producers to improve their own living conditions. With the proper resources, capacity, and access to key relationships, disadvantaged producers are able to earn their own means to a better life for themselves and their communities.
Protections versus rights Many internationa l development programs are geared toward establishing protections for workers around the world, yet workers wouldn’t need these protections if they had proper rights to begin with. Fair trade aims to empower producers by ensuring they have access to the rights they deserve. This involves letting them have their say in the issues that affect them.
of fair trade continually meet the challenges of global development. We have the power to make choices that support greater accountability and transparency. By supporting the awareness and availability of fair trade products, we encourage a more responsible vision for the future while contributing to the development of sustainable communities.
Goals for fair trade • Producers
are paid a fair price
that covers costs of production and adequate living standards for hired labour. • Producer
groups ensure high
standards for labour, environmental sustainability, and respect for cultural identity. • Producers
are paid a premium
that supports business development and community initiatives such as improving access to health and education. • Producers,
consumers, and
Process and verification
businesses build stronger
Fair trade products can be just like any other. Because production and trade standards cannot be verified by looking at a final product, certification and labelling systems are used to verify fair practices.
connections, reducing inefficiencies and encouraging direct relationships. • Producers
have access to
credit, markets, resources, and industry knowledge.
The fair trade movement Fair trade offers a vehicle for promoting discussion and awareness around global issues. It’s about rethinking our production and consumption systems, and recognizing the role we play in creating a fair and sustainable world. Despite its long history among niche markets, fair trade is relatively new for mainstream consumers, and it is still evolving. The fair trade of today won’t be the fair trade of tomorrow. It is our responsibility—whether it be as a consumer, business, institution, or certifier—to ensure that our notions
CF TN.C A |
7