Greetings …

Saturday 13 May is World Fair Trade Day.  Held every year since 2004, the day is about promoting the principles and products of fair trade.  The day was initially set aside by the World Trade Fair Organisation with the aim of commemorating progress made around the world with issues relating to fair trade.  Of course these include things like poverty and climate change – all realities that continue to negatively impact our communities.

The concepts that drive Fair Trade enterprises are focussed on ensuring the positive well-being of the planet and those who inhabit it.  All business models promoted by Fair Trade are environmentally sustainable and help at risk groups of people.  These include such things as recycling and upcycling, leadership by women, refugee-focused enterprises, preserving indigenous skills and much more.

The goal is really simple: bring equality back into business.  Fair Trade opposes the ‘greed and destruction’ culture seen in big corporations whose main aim is seeking to extract profits which often happens at the expense of their workers and the environment.  Instead, Fair Trade seeks to build sustainable business models that put people and our planet before profits.  It is the hopeful alternative of the new business world.

There are many different ways that you, as an individual consumer, can support fair trade and be part of this valuable initiative that puts people and our planet first.  You can purchase fair trade consumables … tea, coffee, hot chocolate or sugar.  When you do your weekly shop, purchase anything with the Fair Trade label to know you are supporting ethical products.  You can also talk to your friends about why you choose to support Fair Trade.

For more information about initiatives in Australia and New Zealand you can visit https://fairtradeanz.org/.

Blessings – Heather (she/her).