Fair trade is, in essence, an equitable partnership between producers, traders, and consumers. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers. (Source: International Federation for Alternative Trade)
Originating in Europe more than 40 years ago, the fair trade movement has grown widely, with organizations in more than 60 countries around the world.
This growing international movement helps ensure that low-income artisans, farmers, and other producers—the majority of whom live in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean—are adequately compensated for their work. It connects these small producers directly with marketers in developed countries, bypassing the middlemen and multi-national corporations. As a result, the producers of fair trade products are ensured adequate prices for their goods.
"The greatest single virtue of fair trade is that it encourages us to take a closer look, to engage more critically, with the intriguing, sometimes shameful details of everyday human life."
(Source: David Ransom, The No-Nonsense Guide to Fair Trade)
Fair Trade and Tourism
Tourists can promote local economic stability by supporting locally owned businesses and by shopping in local markets. Tourism has the potential to support global sustainable development at a community level in the following ways:
- Job creation
- Educational and professional training opportunities
- Health care benefits
- Infrastructure development and improvement
- Enhanced environmental and cultural heritage protection
More and more tours are becoming available that encourage a constructive interaction between travelers and the communities they visit. Successful fair trade programs that have a responsible travel component recognize the value in having local workers, themselves, educate visitors about how they directly benefit from fair trade.
And by personally interacting with these workers, visitors gain a deep appreciation for the necessity of fair trade. When they return home, they're motivated to discuss this important issue with family and friends.
Purchasing Fair Trade Products
Consumers can play an important role in promoting sustainable practices through their purchasing decisions. Although supporting fair trade can sometimes be a little more expensive, the increased price promotes the well-being of our global community.
Certified "Fair Trade" items should, at a minimum, pay the producers a fair wage that covers the price of production and the cost of living. Beyond that, they might also offer employees opportunities for advancement, provide equal opportunities for all producers, promote environmentally sustainable practices, and provide healthy, safe working conditions.
Some things to consider when making a fair trade purchase include:
- Is the product or service produced or offered locally, or is it labeled "Fair Trade"?
- Is the product produced using environmentally friendly production technique? Does the product or service conserve energy, water, and other natural resources?
- Is the product made from sustainably harvested or recycled materials, or does it contain recycled content? If so, what percentage comes from post-consumer waste?
- Does the manufacturer use renewable energy in processing the product and/or support philanthropic conservation or community development initiatives?
- How does the product or service maintain and celebrate the producers' cultural traditions?
- Does the product or service prevent waste? Is the product durable, reprocessed, re-useable, or recyclable? Is the product or service less hazardous and more biodegradable than the alternative?
Visit the Fair Trade Federation and the World Fair Trade Association (WFTO) to learn more about what qualifies a product or service as Fair Trade.
Online Fair Trade Store
You can shop conveniently online at the Global Exchange Fair Trade Store for verified fair trade products.