Fair Trade

My Fair Trade Hopes for Obama

by Zarah Patriana

Published January 20, 2009 @ 08:11AM PT

Hope. Progress. Change. These words have been floating around for several months now and with the new administration on its way, they will become more than words -- they will become realities. But, that is, only if we push Obama and company to do so. Earlier, I posted a video called 'The People Speak'. I wanted to inspire people to speak up and bring change in the world around them. My fellow bloggers have been speaking up and sharing their hopes for Obama. Now, to add to that list of hopes.

I keep talking about business as usual and how we need to break away from it. Currently, the conventional trade system as we know it has focused around trade that has benefit large corporations, leaving the people and the environment behind. I often talk about the micro-level of change to make Fair Trade happen. I've encouraged (and still encourage) Obama and the White House to be a Fair Trade Zone as it would show the country and the world the importance of ethical consumption. The simple act of serving Fair Trade products at the White House will show support and send the message that fair labor practices are of great importance as well as care for the environment. Fair Traders vote with our dollars everyday, let the new administration let us know that they are listening and that Fair Trade can make a difference.

The bigger picture calls for a re-negotiation of trade agreements. Free trade policy that has put the rich and corporations first have not delivered to bring peace and prosperity or any real freedom for those who need it the most. We need a trade policy that puts the people and planet before profit and I urge the Obama administration to bring about a fair trade policy.

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy have come together with other coalitions to support the TRADE (Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment) Act. The TRADE Act is sponsored by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Maine) and backed by several consumer, labor, environmental, faith groups and coalitions including Equal Exchange.

It calls for Congress to review trade agreements that have not worked, insists that provisions to protect worker and human rights, the environment and communities are included in U.S. trade agreements and encourage Congress to re-look and re-negotiate trade agreements such as NAFTA to make sure that they are in compliance with sustainable development goals, thus ensuring a new fair trade policy.

Our trade policy needs to shift to benefit the people, environment and communities and leaving corporate interests behind. Our consumption habits also need to reflect our values to show that we are putting these three pillars first.

A Fair Trade policy leaving 'free trade' behind and encouragement of ethical consumption. This is hope, progress and change I want to see out of the Obama Administration.