Opinion
It just doesn’t seem fair
Perhaps one way of solving this dilemma is to continue raising the profile of fairtrade so that farmers can increase the amount of produce to be sold into the fairtrade market. But how long will that take? And what should be done about it in the meantime?
Fairtrade Chocolates, Oranges and Christmas Memories
I remember always getting an orange in the bottom of my stocking. My sister would often ‘swap’ me hers for some of my chocolate coins. I’m not quite sure why I agreed to this as although I really like oranges, I prefer chocolate any day! I will be filling my sister’s stocking this year, and [...]
Social Responsibility in Banking: An Oxymoron?
Last night this was the hot question at CABE’s annual Hugh Kay lecture. John Varley of Barclays addressed the question and through this and the following conversation it was concluded that this is not an oxymoron. The lecture began by addressing the concept that circumstances present choices but choices must be made responsibly. I believe [...]
Its time for Fairtrade 2.0
This is taken from a lively fair trade discussion with some of my fair trade Twitter friends: @angryafrican @Kon_Ioannidis @otherdiscovery @gentlemandad @fairtradelu @rhyminsimon
Here are some things that I believe.
Business will always act in its own self interest – profit driven. Therefore the onus is on the consumer to dictate what is in business’ best [...]
Locals supporting Locals
An issue that comes up time and time again within debates of fair trade and local produce is that of ‘Do I buy local or do I buy fair trade?’ My approach to this has always been if it can be fair trade buy that, so things like tea, coffee and flowers (all of which [...]
Making Fair Trade Fair for all
My recent visit to South Africa provided me with a number of opportunities to meet those involved and those wishing to become involved in the South African fair trade movement. Whilst in Johannesburg and Cape Town the Shared Interest Foundation ran a number of training days giving those interested in learning more about fair trade [...]
Initial thoughts of Fair Trade in South Africa
My last visit to South Africa was over ten years ago and involved me spending four out of five weeks of my visit there in a compound house with the family friend I was staying with during my school summer holidays when I was sixteen. The other week was spent in Kruger Park witnessing the [...]
Wear Fair
People and Planet, the UK’s largest student network, are urging more education institutions to deal ethically with producers. Their campaign ‘Wear Fair’ calls for students to encourage their schools, colleges and univerisites to source fairtrade cotton uniforms. Also as part of their campaign, they will be targeting a major supermarket retailer to increase the pressure [...]
Is Corporate Social Responsibility a ‘fashion trend’ for businesses?
With growing interest in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), generally the actions and activities undertaken by businesses to monitor their contribution to social and ethical issues, fair trade is a relevant and important issue. Businesses looking to act responsibly should be looking at fair trade as one way to realise this goal precisely because of the [...]
Labelling a Threat to Fair Trade
In an attempt to get a foothold into the green and ethical consumer movements, there have been a spate of new ethical certification labelling schemes that have been introduced – fairly traded, organic, shade grown, rainforest friendly are but just a few examples. So, does the introduction of these new ethical labels lead to a [...]