Fair Trade and Unitarian Universalism

Source: http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/nov/04/multinations-development-fairtrade-report

  
What is Fair Trade?
"Fair trade is an approach to business and to development based on dialogue, transparency, and respect that seeks to create greater equity in the international trading system." www.fairtradefederation.org   Fair trade promotes safe working conditions, environmental responsibility, and economic growth

There are many different organizations that certify and label goods as fair trade.  
In this area, I most commonly see the Fair Trade USA label.  Products that are certified fair trade by Fair Trade USA must meet the following requirements:

• Fair prices
• No GMOs (genetically modified organisms)
• No hazardous chemicals
• No child labor 

Each label may have slightly different requirements, but all have at their heart financial, environmental, and community fairness.

My Alter Eco chocolate bar is certified by Fair Trade USA

Fair Trade and the UU Principles
Buying fair trade items is one way to practice several of the UU principles:

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Many of the goods we buy may have come from workers who work in horrible conditions, and/or make so little that they cannot support themselves and their families.  Child labor still exists (as does slavery, but that is a post for another day.)  In buying goods labeled fair trade you know that a fair portion of that money is going to the person who deserves it.  It also encourages farmers and manufacturers to behave responsibly in terms of the environment - working within the interconnected web instead of fighting or poisoning it.  You can learn about how the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee promotes fair trade here.  

How to buy fair trade?
The most common fair trade items are coffee and chocolate, but there is also jewelry, home decor, body care, olive oil, and more.  When shopping in your local grocery store, you can look for one of the many fair trade labels.

Alternatively, you can shop at a store (in person or online) that carries fair trade goods, such as Ten Thousand Villages or Serrv.  You can search the online directory at Fair Trade Federation to find businesses and products that are fair trade.

Buying fair trade is truly one small way you can contribute to creating a world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.