Viewpoint: Lutheran World Relief
Many people of faith ask these questions. The texts of all major religions call for justice, especially for the vulnerable and impoverished. Under the conventional trading system, however, it is often the most vulnerable that are exploited and held in poverty. In conventional trade big companies often buy from producers at prices that are below production costs, and sell the products for enormous profit. Fair trade, by ensuring that producers earn a fair price and offering long-term trading relationships, allows them to build a better life for themselves, their families, and their communities. It affirms the basic human right to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural, and political development. By choosing to buy fairly traded products, we know that our purchase is helping to provide a decent livelihood for the people behind the products. Take Muakure Mathilda, a basket maker living in a refugee camp in Tanzania. She has lived in Tanzania, with her husband and three children, since fleeing her native Burundi in 1993 after many of her relatives were killed in rioting. In the refugee camp where she now lives, Muakure is able to put her basket-weaving skills to use and earn a living. She sells each basket through a fair trade outlet—like Lutheran World Relief’s Handcraft Project. This means more money for her family to start over when it is safe for them to return to Burundi. Lutheran World Relief (LWR) has been a leader in the fair trade movement in the U.S. since launching the LWR Coffee Project in 1996. Since then, other faith-based and secular groups have learned about the benefits of fair trade and the idea has gained momentum. Lutherans have purchased more than 400 tons of coffee, tea, and cocoa products through the LWR Coffee Project since its inception. Our more recently launched Chocolate Project and Handcraft Project are also growing. Ultimately, fair trade is a moral issue—and one that people of faith are taking more and more seriously. In 2002, LWR joined more than 40 other organizations in issuing the Interfaith Statement on International Trade and Investment, an ecumenical statement on the need for trade systems that respect human dignity and advance the common good. This effort recognizes that people want to live their lives in a just way and not exploit others. As we have introduced the concept of fair trade to the Lutheran community, we have found that people leap at the chance to put their faith into action and to “do good” with their consumer dollars. As people of faith learn more about the international trade system, our hope is that they will feel compelled to take action beyond just buying fairly traded products—learning more about trade justice and encouraging their elected officials to work for U.S. trade policies that really work for the poor. Kathryn Wolford, President Lutheran World Relief |
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