Go to – www.fairtrade.com.au/ftfo9 to find out what events are happening in your area.

To Host a Fairtrade Coffee Break – www.fairtrade.com.au

For more info – www.checkoutfairtrade.org.au

Source: www.tribalearth.com.au

Title: Fair Trade Fortnight
Location: Australia Wide Event
Description: Various Events Australia Wide
If you have an event you would like to add please contact us via the contact area on the events page
Start Date: 2009-05-03
End Date: 2009-05-18

Hi I am a Fair Trade business & am asked on many occasions what is Fair Trade, I have heard it mentioned but don’t really know what it means.

IN A NUTSHELL – Fair Trade is a tool used to return more income to producers improving the lives of people in developing countries. Fair Trade has 3 aims. 1 – To alleviate poverty through trade. 2 – To empower small producers. 3 – To support the campaign for trade reform & justice. Fair trade addresses these objectives through a market driven commercial model rather than charity.

The basic principles of Fair Trade 1- to work directly with producers. 2 – to develop a long term trading partnership. 3 – To agree on a price benefiting all parties. 4 – To focus on developmental assistance. Ultimately this empowers producers to develop livelihoods that avoid dependency.

Fair Trade is not controlled or enforced by the government. It is entirely a consumer choice model. It is just another feature like colour or size. Consumers who choose to buy Fair Trade usually have a desire to make the world a better place while enjoying consumer goods. Our system is all about money & freedom of choice. What Fair Trade is saying is make an informed choice, open yourself to the notion of conscience & then make the choice. It is a sustainable system that can have a major impact on Poverty. Fair Trade is a global responsibility with business ethics & ethical consumerism.

Now there are some losers in Fair Trade namely Brokers & Middlemen who have relied on exploitation. With the implementation of Fair Trade everybody can benefit.

May we make a commitment to at least think about what we purchase & see if there is an alternative product available that is Fair Trade then we can make an informed decision. My wish is to have a Fair Trade directory that is simple, to make it easier for consumers to find Fair Trade products…..Lets hope it won’t be too far away.

Article by Mana – Tribal Earth
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Fair Trade Directory Australia is a directory of businesses that supply and distribute Fair Trade products within Australia.

Coming soon – articles and information relating to Fair Trade