A Primer on Fair Trade
The Fair Trade movement is comprised of producers, importers, activists, organizations and consumers working together on a global scale to prove that an equitable international trading system is possible. As the umbrella industry group F.I.N.E -- composed of the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, the International Fair Trade Association, the Network of World Shops, and the European Fair Trade Association – defines it, Fair Trade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency, and respect that contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers, especially those in the global south.
Background Posts on Fair Trade
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Enjoy browsing the internets for different video clips AND learning about Fair Trade? Why, me toooo. Consider this your lucky day -- a list of Fair Trade online videos for your viewing pleasure. Stay fair online tv land.
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Handy check list of how you can make a Fair Trade difference. Do one or two or all of them and you even get extra points if you can do them simultaneously. It can be as simple as ordering Fair Trade coffee at your local cafe or something big as asking your school district to solely use Fair Trade sports equipment. Whichever Fair Trade action you choose, not only will you be making a difference in the world around you, but you will be making a positive difference for many other people the world over.
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Wondering who exactly is behind the Fair Trade certification process? Puzzled about who sets the Fair Trade standards? Can't figure out what the screening process is like? This is the story behind the organizations that work hard to make sure that the product you are buying and the organization you are supporting is absolutely Fair Trade. True life: I'm a Fair Trade Certifying Body.
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Want a quick and easy guide showing you which label to look for when it comes to Fair Trade? Forget the rest, these are the four labels to look out for when looking for a socially conscious & Fair Trade product or organization. Any product or organization donning any of these labels have passed the Fair Trade tests with flying colors.
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Anything and everything you need to know about Fair Trade as told by the experts.
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Selected key figures in Fair Trade.
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What's the Fair Trade fuss? These are a few controversies going on in the Fair Trade world that are helping to shape and mold the future look the movement.
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The Fair Trade Social Premium is proof that Fair Trade is more than just about the price, but it is also a key to empowerment and socioeconomic development. This piece explains what exactly the social premium means and does for the Fair Trade producer.
Blogging for Change. Blogging for Fair Trade.
Top Ten Ways to Make a Fair Trade Difference
Breaking Down Fair Trade Certifying Bodies
Identifying Fair Trade Labels
Beyond the Price: Fair Trade Social Premiums
Buy Local vs. Buy Fair Trade: The Conscience of a Socially Conscious Consumer
A Fair Trade Year in Review
Quit Coffee, Save the Planet?
Fair Trade Editor
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Zarah Patriana
- San Francisco, CA
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Zarah is the Operations Manager for the Global Exchange Fair Trade Online Store, a project of the international human rights organization, Global Exchange. Alongside her work with marginalized communities from all over the world to get their products into the international market, Zarah serves to educate and inform the public about a more just and sustainable trading system. She recently traveled to Nicaragua on behalf of Global Exchange to meet with fair trade coffee farmers and activists. Incidentally during the trip, she was bitten by the travel bug and is currently planning her next fair trade world adventure.
