RAISE YOUR HANDS FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE! JOIN OUR WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY 2022 GLOBAL CELEBRATION
The global Fair Trade Enterprises community will lead an awareness raising celebration on Climate Justice on the World Fair Trade Day (14 May 2022). The climate crisis is already a survival issue to those who are experiencing extreme weather conditions and disruptions of livelihoods. Raise your hands and join the photo action together with Fair traders across the globe to promote climate resilience, climate-friendly business models and other sustainable solutions for those badly affected by climate change. Take a selfie with “Climate Justice Now! #LetsDoItFair” on your palms, post on your social media profile and tag @wfto_fairtrade!
REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE BERLIN FAIR TRADE SUMMIT
Save a seat at the world’s largest gathering of Fair Trade entrepreneurs and friends. Tickets for the International Fair Trade Summit (23-26 August 2022) are now available. The summit programme is packed with exciting topics and speakers. Get ready for exposure activities and awards opportunities for your enterprise (MIDA Award, Artisan Expo, and more). This edition will focus on forging new partnerships and creating new commercial opportunities for WFTO members. Buy your tickets here!
BEYOND BEAUTIFUL CLIMATE-FRIENDLY COLLECTION
Inspired by the global slowing down of production and clearing of skies during the lockdown periods, the WFTO’s Beyond Beautiful collection showcases carbon-neutral artisanal products. That means production and materials leave very low carbon footprints using renewable materials and low carbon production techniques.
Gospel House
Gospel House’s adorable toys are made of Albizia and Alstonia wood grown in Sri Lanka, popular sustainable wood material because they are fast growing and have a beautiful smooth finish.
Taller Maya
Made by artisan groups in the Yucatan Peninsula in connection with nature, Taller Maya luminaires are woven with soft cotton threads through a reinterpretation of the hammock warping technique used by Mayan artisans. When you turn it on, fine lattices with patterns that simulate the roots of trees that fall towards the center of a cenote are reflected inside.
FAIR TRADE SHOP: TWINE
This month we are introducing Twine, a Social Enterprise based Taipei, Taiwan. Founded in 2006, Twine started out from the desire to grow the core values of Fair Trade in the country. Passionate about craftsmanship and design, founders Vinka Yang and Elizabeth Tsai, who started out as street-side vendors in small handicraft markets, expanded their business and work in a team of 23 coworkers by running nine (9) shops and partnering with 50 fair Trade suppliers in 25 countries. They specialise in sustainable fashion made with organic materials (especially cotton) and using low-carbon production methods. They have a great collection of apparels, including accessories, stationery and home accessories.
THE CIRCULARITY ECONOMY ACTION PLAN
On 30 March 2022, the European Commission unveiled the first policy package of the Circular Economy Action Plan. The Fair Trade advocacy office welcomed the long-awaited initiative, but it regretted the large focus on environmental sustainability, being blind to the essential role that social and economic sustainability play in the road towards transition to circular economies.
Read this press release to know more about the FTAO’s views on the sustainable products initiative, the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles and the empowering consumers for the green transition proposal for Directive.