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Fairtrade
Fortnight 6th to |
There
has been much calling for trade justice at a global
level, recognising that to see a release from poverty for
the greatest number of people we need to see change in
government policy.
However,
every day we can make a difference to
people’s lives by how we spend our cash. Shopping
ethically is like voting with your purchases. It
sends signals to supermarkets and clothes manufacturers
that we as consumers care about the lives and the
conditions of those living in poverty, and recognise that
we have power to change that by how and what we buy.
MAKE
FAIRTRADE YOUR HABIT!
Fairtrade
Fortnight ( 6th to 19th March) is
an opportunity to remind us all about Fairtrade.Buying
Fairtrade products is a commitment everyone can make to
challenge unfair international trading rules. 50%
of shoppers now recognise the Fairtrade Mark (shown above)
and with the increased awareness of issues surrounding
trade, aid and debt following Make Poverty History, 2006
is an ideal opportunity to be reminded of what Fairtrade
means to the 5 million people – farmers, workers and
their families – who benefit from Fairtrade. This
is why the theme for Fairtrade Fortnight 2006 is ‘Make
Fairtrade Your Habit’. The Fairtrade
Foundation is appealing to everyone to regularly buy a
range of Fairtrade products and adopt a Fairtrade
lifestyle in order to bring even greater benefits to
farmers and workers around the world. A growing
number of churches are making the connection between
trade and poverty and committing to use Fairtrade items
including tea, coffee, sugar and biscuits. Buying
products with the Fairtrade Mark guarantees:
·
a fair and stable price for their products
· extra income
for farmers and estate workers to improve their lives
· a greater
respect for the environment
· farmers a
stronger position in world markets
· a closer
link between consumers and producers.
There are
now over 1,300 Fairtrade certified products available and
an increasing number are stocked by supermarkets. It
is by purchasing these that each of us can make a
practical difference. If you are not doing so
already please consider buying the Fairtrade alternative
in the March fortnight and then develop the “fair-trade
habit”.
( The
Fairtrade Foundation and Tearfund are the sources of this
article)