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With growing concerns about non-inclusive workplaces and public spaces, global reports outlining rising inequality and #metoo, the World Fair Trade Organization’s (WFTO) studies on gender equality and empowerment comes as a breath of fresh air.
Article
Right from the beginning our approach was to build some strong connections with the communities, a bridge leading eventually to trust each other; then we trained the women in order to make sure they would have the skills to take full responsibility for managing their business; and of course, a strong focus on quality!
Article
As a woman importer I appreciate the commitment to ‘upskill’ that the weavers are undertaking to produce the difficult weave, which uses 6 batons rather than the usual 2/3, ensuring the weaver is paid more for their skill - which can take months to perfect.
It is essential this information is passed onto the consumer, as a women led supply chain is generally more empathetic to the way a product is produced and less likely to drive down the price – hence there needs to be a ‘safeguard’ in place when taking the product to the wider market.
Article
In recent decades, we have seen a decline in international cooperation and solidarity. When we talk about cooperation, we think of donations but not of other ways to cooperate. Small farmers and artisans are appealing “no aid, trade” and calling for more active participation in markets. When producers are able to secure more sales, they are able to support their families, pay their debts, cover their basic needs, save for their future and invest in their health and wellbeing. This means improving life conditions – from just existing to living.
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PRESS RELEASE
FRANKFURT, GERMANY - 9 February - New plans are unveiled today by the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) to expand adoption of upcycling and other circular economy production models by Fair Trade Enterprises. The initiative spans fashion, homewares and accessories and will reach over 50 countries. This is the first global initiative of its kind to work across such a breadth of product categories and countries.
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At its heart, Fair Trade is about people. It shapes trade in order to benefit cocoa and coffee farmers. It transforms business to empower garment workers and artisans.Around the world, it has forged a movement that is about putting producers first. But it turns out that working for people also means working for our planet. When we look across our global community of Fair Trade Enterprises, we see a surge in upcycling waste, organic agriculture, investments in renewable energy and efforts to eliminate water pollution. The heart of Fair Trade is both people and planet.
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Highlights of the summit:
• 300+ Fair Trade leaders and buyers from across the world
• Meet with dozens of importers and retailers (incl. beyond the WFTO community)
• Programme focused on innovation in marketing, design and market access
• Latest market insights and trends
• House of Nations, exhibiting the best of Fair Trade from individual countries
Podcast
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WFTO community has many stars and many have shined brightly on social media in 2018. Here are the top performing posts from the WFTO in 2018:
- Top post overall - the charter launches
Top post (Facebook and Twitter) and most watched event video - International Fair Trade Charter
- Top video about a member - the designer and the Fair Trade Enterprise
Most watched video about a member - Mahaguthi story
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Seventy years ago today, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the world. It is a turning point in world history, spawning other treaties, laws and regulations across our planet that protect the rights of every human. The idea of human rights embodies our collective dignity. It gives us hope.
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The Fair Trade International Symposium Steering Group (SG) invites applications from institutions interested to host the next Fair Trade International Symposium.
Podcast
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Small-scale farmers must be supported in the fight against climate change
The International Fair Trade Movement today called on the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to introduce transparent, fair and binding mechanisms for trade justice in order to achieve climate justice in their negotiations at COP24.
Podcast
Podcast
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Across the globe there exists an endless supply of conscious products created as either a means to lift communities out of a cycle of exploitation or to set an example for sustainable and fair business practice.