Fairtrade Fortnight: 25 Feb - 9 March
Fairtrade fortnight is running from 25 February to 9 March. This fortnight happens every year to highlight the availability and benefits of Fairtrade products.
There are a number of local events around Fraidtrade Fortnight, depending on where you are. In Republic of Ireland click here, if you are in the UK click here.
Tell us what your thoughts on Fairtrade or if you are doing any special for the fortnight itself.
According to the Fairtade Foundation; “Fairtrade is a tool for development that ensures disadvantaged farmers and workers in developing countries get a better deal through the use of the international Fairtrade Mark. For a product to display the Fairtrade Mark it must meet international Fairtrade standards which are set by the international certification body Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO).
These standards are agreed through a process of research and consultation with key participants in the Fairtrade scheme, including producers themselves, traders, NGOs, academic institutions and labelling organisations such as the Fairtrade Foundation.”
Comments
I have been a long time supporter of Fair trade products but was very disappointed to learn that Nestle received the Fair trade accreditation for their partners blend coffee. Fairtrade should be a bit more wary of the type of company it allows itself to be associated with. Unethical companies like Nestle should not be allowed to use the Fairtrade brand to gloss up their corporate image. I will continue to support Fairtrade products but I don
Thank you for your comment Niamh, and yes you raise a very valid point. With Fairtrade accreditation, the mark is awarded to the product - not the company - and there are very stringent criteria to be adhered to, in every case. The crucial issue is that consumers create continued demand for more fairtrade products, which will encourage companies to broaden their range of fairtrade produce. This will guarantee a fair price for farmers in the developing world .
I will continue to buy Fairtrade products even if the majority of products stocked are not ethically sourced. As Ghandi Said: Be the change you want to see in the world. :)
hi i am trying to find a way to go over to Africa to help for a month or two please help me to try and do this my boyfriend is from there and knowing his past i would love to help
Are all fairtrade products child labour free?
Thanks for your questions Ross; it is an important one. Fairtrade mark is totally against the use of child labour. When farmers are paid a fair price, they can afford to employ adults instead of children and send their own children to school.
Hello Lily, For short term volunteer opportunities with other organisations you may wish to explore vacancies listed on www.volunteeringoptions.ie This site lists over 100 organisations that accept volunteers to work overseas in development using a variety of recruitment criteria. Generally, it is a very useful site and has some good advice to offer!
Concern do not send volunteers abroad for short periods as almost all of our staff deployed are on a professional contract basis, usually for a minimum of one or two years and all have to have professional qualifications. Our policy is to recruit and train staff and volunteers locally and to seek expatriate staff where the appropriate skills are not available. You will get a good idea of the skills and experience required from our website www.concern.net/jobs
I am absolutely confused about the term child labour and want to know if it only relates to developing worlds.My reason for saying this is that so many children are often used for various children's product adverts and other
commercial/social publications in the so-called developed worlds which they're paid for ,in other words they are equally working. So what the craze about children in the developing world who for reasons of international unfairness and injustices become victims without voice and choice fending for themselves?
I buy Fairtrade because not only does it help the poorest farmers get out of the poverty trap but it also encourages environmentally friendly methods of agriculture. I was very impressed to hear a South American coffee producer talk about his new bio oven (from the UK) that used husks for fuel. No waste husk dumping, no tree cutting! And that was just one comment of many on how a regular, fair income helps.
Leaving aside the imperfections and the anomolies mentioned as in the case of Nestle, I still believe that history will view the progress of fair trade as a promising emergence from very dark ages, and as such sustaining a beacon of hope for civilisation
Thanks for your questions Ross; it is an important one. Fairtrade mark is totally against the use of child labour. When farmers are paid a fair price, they can afford to employ adults instead of children and send their own children to school.
hi i am trying to find a way to go over to Africa to help for a month or two please help me to try and do this my boyfriend is from there and knowing his past i would love to help
Hi, please check out our get involved section for opportunities to support Concern's work overseas.
Post new comment