Panel Overview – Origins and Objectives
Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South.
Fair Trade is more than “just trade” – it proves that greater justice in world trade is possible. Fair Trade highlights the need for change in the rules and practice of conventional trade and shows how a successful business can also put people first. It is a tangible contribution to the fight against poverty, climate change and economic crisis.
We will hear about progress and challenges to promoting this alternative economic model from organizational leaders of the World Fair Trade Organization, the Fair Trade Federation and the Canadian Fair Trade Network. What is fair trade attempting to address?
What are some of the different ways that fair trade is being practiced?
How do we build consumer confidence and verify that what Fair Trade claims – is actually true in the lives of the artisans and farmers involved?
And finally, we hope to provoke healthy discussion around the future of Fair Trade and to describe some of the alternative paths currently being promoted in order to achieve best possible results.
Chris Solt, Fair Trade Federation
Sean McHugh, Canadian Fair Trade Network
