More than 2 billion people who live in poverty currently rely on
small-scale agriculture for their food and wages. World trade has the
potential to greatly reduce poverty, encourage economic growth and
provide these people with a sustainable livelihood. But the regulations
that currently govern international trade are stacked in favour of
wealthy countries and organisations. As a consequence workers at the
beginning of the supply chain don't always get a fair share of the benefits of trade.
Fairtrade certifies goods that meet an internationally agreed standard, and buying products that carry the #Fairtrade
mark is your independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers are
getting a better deal. It means you can be confident that a fair price
has been paid for your product and that producers have enough money to
reinvest back into their communities.
Farmers
often use the Fairtrade Premium to co-fund climate change projects.
Sireet OEP is working with Fairtrade Africa and an NGO, Vi Agroforesty,
on a project called ADAPTea.
This project aims to assist #Fairtrade certified smallholder tea farmers in Eastern Africa to adapt to climate change and improve quality and crop yield.
At Sireet, over 150,000 trees have been planted using Fairtrade
Premium, which are improving soil fertility and providing shade for tea
crops. Farmers have also received training on reducing deforestation,
safe use of chemicals, organic composting, diversification and other
sustainable agricultural practices.
As we celebrate World Fair Trade Day around the globe, it is helpful to revisit the Fair Trade Principles.
In 2009, Fairtrade International along with the World Fair Trade
Organization adopted the Charter of Fair Trade Principles, which
provides a single international reference point for Fair Trade. The
charter includes our common vision, definition of Fair Trade, core
principles and the distinct approaches to Fair Trade. Fairtrade
International adheres to the principles in creating our standards and
pushing for trade on fairer terms.
Here are the core principles and some examples in action:
Market access for marginalised producers An
important part of Fairtrade’s work is help otherwise marginalized
producers access markets on better terms. In India, small-scale cotton
farmers are at the end of a textile supply chain that often leaves them
trapped in poverty. Access to Fairtrade markets helps them organize and
improve their position. In 2013, farmers’ organizations sold 15,900 MT
of Fairtrade seed cotton on Fairtrade terms. See photos and learn more about Fairtrade cotton farmers in India.
Sustainable & equitable trading relationships
Fairtrade International recently revised the Trader Standard to
strengthen the requirements, increase transparency, and provide a
framework for companies to go above and beyond the standard in dealing
with farmers and workers. Read more about the Trader Standard.
Capacity building & empowerment
The effects of climate change are already evident in producer countries
where rapidly changing weather patterns and shortened growing seasons
are making farming even more unpredictable. Fairtrade tea farmers in
Kenya are working with Fairtrade International and other partners to
share knowledge and adapt to the changes. Read the full story.
Consumer awareness raising & advocacy Everyone
is familiar with Fairtrade in the UK and Australia and North America,
but the new frontier in building awareness and advocating for fairer
trade terms is in producer countries. South Africa joined the Fairtrade
system in 2009, Kenya and India became Fairtrade markets in 2014, and
we’re proud to announce the addition of Brazil this past March. Read about the new organization.
Fairtrade as a “social contract” Karma
Cola, one of the world’s only Fairtrade colas, is made using Fairtrade
certified sugar and vanilla. And, although there isn't currently a
Fairtrade Standard for cola nuts, the company has found a way to make
their trading with Sierra Leone cola nut farmers as fair as possible
working with the communities to implement projects. When the Ebola virus
started spreading there, Karma Cola stepped up their support sending
extra funds to help prevent Ebola infections. Read their full story .
Hugh Jackman journeys to Ethiopia and advocates for fair-trade coffee in the trailer for his upcoming documentary, Dukale's Dream.
On his trip, Jackman meets a local coffee farmer, Dukale, and learns about how he could improve Dukale's life and those of other local growers.
Jackman is shown farming and brewing coffee in Ethiopia as he and his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, who's also featured in the documentary, talk about the struggles of Ethiopian coffee farmers.
"They wake up and basically the agenda for the day is to get food," Furness is shown saying in an interview.
Jackman adds, "Coffee buyers will come in and offer way below market values, and [the growers] can't afford to go anywhere else."
But the actor says he wants to end the "cycle of poverty" that system creates.
"It's not the way things were meant to be and it's not the way things have to be," Jackman says.
As Dukale explains that his kids will be able to go to school, the trailer ends with Jackman spreading the message of fair-trade coffee.
"This is about livelihoods, this is about change, this is about hope," he says.
Dukale's Dream, directed by Josh Rothstein, opens in select theaters on June 5 before its released on VOD on July 14.
