As today is World Fair Trade Day, I wanted to revisit what Fairtrade is and why it’s important. I’ve directly taken copy from their website as it really encapsulates why it exists and why it matters right now.

 “The Fair Trade world is suffering. Trade has halted, shops are closed and livelihoods are threatened. The pain is large but the will is bigger.”

 “We stand together to get Fair Trade back on its feet, so we can continue our journey to #PlanetFairTrade. This World Fair Trade Day is about perseverance and solidarity.”

Community challenges

“The pandemic has made it clear the world needs Fair Trade more than ever. Lockdowns are happening the world over, with many communities fending for themselves. Economically marginalised communities face a particular challenge, with the combined threat of the pandemic, alongside the destruction of their livelihoods.”

“Fair Trade Enterprises remain deeply committed to these communities. To support them, Fair Trade Enterprises are innovating and persevering. They are paying their workers, making masks, creating new plans and connecting the world over. During the pandemic and beyond, they put artisans, farmers and workers first.” 

 “The global economy was already broken. A climate and ecological crisis was already brewing, alongside spiralling inequality and entrenched poverty. The pandemic has shaken the economic system, and we can together create a better world. Fair Trade Enterprises are helping create an economy based on human and planetary well-being, a world where no one is left behind.”

For me, ethical businesses have always had a focus on people and the planet. I’ve particularly been interested in how FairTrade gives 20% back to the communities who need it the most, (the increased fee I pay for Fairtrade gold in my collection, for example) and I know my clients value this, too.

Another organisation was launched, Delve, a global collaboration of governments, NGOs, focussing on artisanal and small-scale mining, exists to try to improve the lives of artisanal miners, to make their work safer and more sustainable, and to formalise the sector so it can play an even bigger role in global development. You can read more about their pandemic data gather here if you’re interested.

Re-set

The pandemic has forced us, society, organisations, government, to re-think and re-imagine how we put purpose and values at the centre of what we do. 

So, on this World FairTrade Day in 2020, I’d urge you to consider how you can put people and the planet first in your everyday actions. Everything from packaging, plastic, coffee, materials, clothes … everything we buy and indeed consume has originated from somewhere and has an impact on those working and creating in those countries.

Remember, we’re #InItTogether.