What is Fair Trade? Do you know the word, Fair Trade?
It is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South. The growth of fair trade has astounded even the most optimistic. In Europe and North America, fair trade products are ubiquitous. Britain's Fair Trade Foundation, tapping into the enthusiasm that fair trade was creating, set up a system whereby towns, workplaces and cities could become fair trade places or organizations. Criteria included official meetings serving only fair trade products, setting up a fair trade promotion committee and selling fair trade products. Most recently London has been declared the biggest fair trade town in the world.
Scotland is poised on the brink of becoming the world's first fair trade country. Scotland's eight cities are now fair trade and it is working on making 55% of its towns’ fair trade too. The Scottish Parliament serves fair trade refreshments and is a main supporter of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum.
Canada has a lots of fare trade products and those are available throughout here, for example: coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar, fruit (bananas and mangos), cereals, (rice and quinoa), spices, cotton garments, wine, roses, shea butter and sports balls. TransFair Canada organizes and coordinates several events every year to promote fair trade in Canada, most notably the Fair Trade Weeks (or the Quinzaine du Commerce Équitable in French) which typically run in May, and the Canadian Fair Trade Town campaign.
In Vancouver, we can find the store easily that is dealing with fare trade products. One of famous store called “Ten Thousand Villages” along at Denman St., Commercial Dr. and so on. In addition, we can buy some coffee beans that is fare trade in、Capers Community Market, Choices Market, Marketplace IGA or London Drugs.
A sign is at Wolfville's (Nova Scotia, Canada). There’s the one of famous Fair Trade Town status in the world.
Japan is another matter. Awareness of fair trade is minimal comparing with the other largest trading countries. Fair trade products are usually only found in specialty shops, local co-operatives or online. The market has been recently showing slight signs of growth. Despite Japan lagging behind Europe and North America in terms of quantitative commitment, the dedication among those who are involved in fair trade in Japan is very inspiring. Nowadays, the activities of fare trade in Japan started to spread a little by little. Starbucks are sold fare trade coffee beans since 2002, MUJI is also sold some fare trade products since 2006. Fair Trade is more than just trading, now.
Why not give a gift that supports them? By giving fair trade gifts, you not only give to friends and acquaintances, you also give to farmers in Africa, Asia or South America. You help farmers or artisans to chart their own course out of poverty into a relationship of dignity and justice. Can you think of a better gift?
[Footnote for Japanese]
Fare trade = フェアトレード: 貧困な生活に苦しむ途上国の人たちと差別的扱いをせず『公平な貿易』をすること。そしてその権利を守ることによって、持続可能な発展を支援し, 経済的自立を促す社会運動。別名Alternative Trade.