BUILDING CHANGE:  THE FAIR TRADE MOVEMENT FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL

By:

WHY FAIR TRADE? Because:

In a matter of years there will be 9 billion people on this planet

Social issues and poverty continue to dominate the landscape globally

Environmental degradation continues to increase at astounding rates

Our economic model is collapsing beneath us We need a new business model and approach to

global trade

A FEW REASONS FOR THIS STATE We are stuck in a rut We are hemmed in by old ways of thinking

and old ways of trading, doing business, manufacturing and producing

Our governments refuse to address the realities of today, nor the realities of tomorrow

We now view the world for what it can’t be rather than for what it can

WHAT FAIR TRADE IS TRYING TO DO ABOUT IT Empower producers to take a stance Empower consumers to make informed

choices Bring business in line with the realities of our

social and environmental world Drive change from the bottom up

GOALS FAIR TRADE IS SEEKING TO ACHIEVE Equalized global trading system Equal opportunity

Access to health, safety and fair pay Economic stability Environmental sustainability

BARRIERS FAIR TRADE SEEKS TO OVERCOMEFor producers Access to markets and global pricing Access to tools and resourcesFor Consumers Access to information - Addressed through

traceability, allowing individuals to vote with their dollar

For businesses Instability, uncertainty and risk - Providing

stability and assurance

HOW DOES IT DO THIS?

STEP 1 – BY CREATING STABILITY

STEP 2 – BY SIMPLIFYING SUPPLY CHAINS BYCREATING DIRECT RELATIONSHIPS WITH PRODUCERS

Conventional

Local Farmers

Transporter

Exporter

Broker

Importer

Roaster

Distributor

Retailer

Local Farmers

Cooperative

Importer

Roaster

Retailer

Fair Trade

STEP 3 – BY STRENGTHENING THE VOICE OF PRODUCERS THROUGH THE COOPERATIVE SYSTEM

STEP 4 – BY ENSURING THAT THE PRINCIPLES OF PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY ARE ADHERED TO

The cooperative system means each member has a voice

Decisions and plans for the community are made democratically

Opportunities for capacity building are created

STEP 5 – BY BUILDING DIRECT & LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS BACK INTO THE SYSTEM

STEP 6 – BY PROTECTING WORKERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND FARMING METHODS

STEP 7 – BY STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES THROUGH SOCIAL PREMIUMS

20 cents per pound of coffee $1 premium per box of bananas

that benefit the communities

WHERE COOPS INVEST IN EDUCATION

WHERE COOPS INVEST IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS

WHERE COOPS INVEST IN TRAINING

WHERE COOPS INVEST IN EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY

HOW DID ALL OF THIS GET STARTED?

HISTORY OF THE SOCIAL MOVEMENT 40’s/50’s - Handicrafts 60’s – Trade not aid campaigns – Oxfam UK 70’s – Alternate trading models established

between buyer and seller 80’s/90’s - Gradual shift into agricultural goods

begins – Labeling and certification become established

2000’s – Grass roots continues to be driving force behind Fair Trade Business begins to see increased demand from

consumers While view Fair Trade as a more stable way to do

business

EVENTUALLY LEADING TO AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PRODUCTS AVAILABLE

WHAT ASSURANCES ARE THERE?

HISTORY OF LABELLING AND CERTIFICATION 88 – The Max Havelaar labelling Initiative

begins in the Netherlands 90’s – Other Labelling Initiatives spring up in

different parts of the world 97/98 – Labelling Initiatives come together as

global partnership – International Fair Trade Label Organization (FLO) created

2002 – Fairtrade International Mark launched

THE GLOBAL FAIR TRADE SYSTEM

Companies

Products

There are now 27 Organizations – 19 Labelling Initiatives, 3 Associate Members and 5 Marketing Organizations

There are now 3 Producer Networks made up of over 1.2 Million producers in 64 countries

CERTIFICATION Supply Chain Verification

Transparency, traceability and accountability Providing risk management

Opportunity to buy and conduct business in an ethical and Fair way

Become part of a global system Use of the worlds most globally recognized

ethical seal

STANDARDS Fair Trade Minimum Price Pre-Harvest Credit  Payment of a Fair Trade Premium Fair and Safe Working Conditions Stability and Guarantee:

Direct Relationship Long term relationships  Contracts: 

Transparency, accountability and Traceability Environmental sustainability:

Safeguarding of natural resources Environmental responsibility

Opportunity: Creating economic opportunity  Capacity building 

Gender Equity

WHAT ROLE DOES CIVIL SOCIETY PLAY IN ALL OF THIS?

CIVIL SOCIETY HAS BEEN THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SOCIAL MOVEMENT Partnerships, relationships, networking and

making connections Building, organizing and coordinating the

movement Driving the demand – Creating the markets

TAKING TANGIBLE STEPS FORWARD

BY TAKING A DIVERSE APPROACH

Vancouver

Toronto

Montreal

Calgary

Edmonton

Winnipeg

Ottawa

Regina

Saskatoon

Quebec

St. John

FrederictonHalifax

Charlottetown

Canadian Fair Trade Network

BY GETTING ORGANIZED

BY LOOKING FOR STRATEGIC INPUTS THAT CREATE SYSTEMIC OR CASCADING CHANGE

BY UTILIZING LEVERAGE POINTS

BY PUSHING, SUPPORTING AND CREATING NEW BUSINESS MODELS

FINAL REMARKS Change is possible

Working together will ensure we will get to where we need to get to

Thank you for your time