Fair trade emphasizes social justice over profits

In a port city that's been engaged in global commerce for centuries, the spotlight is shifting to fair trade.

Today is World Fair Trade Day, when supporters locally and the world over hold events to promote the work of craftsmen and producers in "minority worlds."

The goal of the global network is to help ensure a living wage for workers who produce goods and commodities many consumers take for granted, such as coffee, tea and clothing.

Global Awakening, a King Street store that sells fair trade merchandise, is among the event hosts.

The shop showcases one-of-kind goods sourced from an international and growing network of fair trade co-operatives. The store's inventory includes recycled glassware, wall art, jewelry, organic textiles and pottery.

Like-minded stores market the handicrafts of third-world craftspeople, helping them to pay for food, education, health care and housing.

Fair trade is a different way of doing business, said Maren Anderson, owner of Global Awakening. The principles are based on economics and social justice rather than maximizing profits. A core component of the fair trade movement is eradicating child labor.

"The children are able to start school and they're not under a tree weaving baskets," Anderson said.

Now in it's third year, the theme of this year's event is fair trade and ecology.

The International Fair Trade Association, or IFAT, is made up of more than 250 organizations from more than 60 countries. The group promotes measures that protect the environment and encourage sustainable development.

IFAT, through its network of suppliers, farmers and traders, is in favor of "hand production" and organic agriculture. Its members buy from artisans who provide healthy and safe working conditions for workers.

Ireland native Carol Bergin of Mount Pleasant said she has seen first-hand during more than a dozen visits to Africa how the fair trade movement helps communities achieve basic needs, such as health care, literacy and housing. Bergin helped organize the 1991 international fair trade conference in her homeland, and is founder of the Irish Fair Trade Network.

She has worked with producers of chocolate, for example, to ensure that they use only raw materials that come from fair trade suppliers, who in turn are paid a fair price for their goods.

By making a few simple lifestyle changes, such as buying greeting cards or tea from fair trade outlets, Bergin said it's easy to make a difference.

"People don't realize where their products come from, and they don't realize the issues involved," she said.

Reach Peter Hull at 937-5594 or phull@postandcourier.com.