Respect ~ empowerment ~sustainability.

When I was going to school  we would occassionaly go on school excursions  to perhaps the local chocolate factory - Darrel Lea or the biscuit company of Arnotts. These outings would be met with a keen possibility that we might be able to taste or at very least enjoy the aroma of the goodies but overall it was mainly fun. 

When children today visit a chocolate factory they are more likely to be told about  the environmental, ethical, economic and social aspects of Fair Trade and I for one think it is great!

Children may learn about the interconnectedness of ecosystems and why organic farming methods are important and the concept of 'fairness' by discussing how farmers work hard and should be  looked after and paid proper wages. These fundamental aspects of human rights are now addressed in the school excursions and children are being made aware and empowered with knowledge early in life. for use later as consumers or future ethical shoppers.  The ubiquitous nature of organic food products have become the norm in our supermarkets and are an integral part of our buying decisions.  The next step in ethical shopping is to become more aware of Fair Trade and to know exactly where our purchases have come from hence the education of young people on a school excursion. 

Whether it is coffee, tea, bananas, chocolate or beautifully coloured homewares it is becoming more common to the discerning shopper to ask the questions. Who benefits from the money I spend and does the money get back to the original producer or farmer? Are the producers or craft workers treated fairly and does my dollar help them stay out of poverty and sustain a livelihood?

Fair Trade is a trading partnership that is based on a mutual respect between the producer or creator of the artworks or handiwork and the person who sells the produce.

Fair Trade ensures that the  prices paid to producers  honestly reflects their work, and that workers have the right to health, safety, and wage laws. Also that products are environmentally sustainable and go towards conserving natural resources. Overall buying Fair trade improves the terms of trade for the artists or producers so they have better wages and improved trade agreements.  Which in turn ensures that livelihoods in developing countries can be improved as often the profits from Fair Trade groups are  reinvested into community projects such as health clinics,  education and chilren's welfare.

According to recent staistics Fair trade benefits more than 1.2 million farming families in 70 developing countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America.  

This is one tangible way that we as shoppers can reduce poverty around the world and show a respect for the person at the end of the supply chain rather than randomly consuming products without awareness of where they came from. If we create the demand from companies that we are ethical shoppers it in turn creates a positive impact. Companies will stand up and take notice when consumers stop buying from them in much the same way that our demand for organic produce has created the organic markets becoming so readily accessible. 

To become an ethical shopper, keep an eye out when shopping and look for the Fair Trade label and keep asking those questions. If you don't your children will for you.

Cheers

Diyu