Working for Trade Justice

Tue., Dec. 6, 2005

Want to join a growing movement for fair trade? OneWorld.net offers some ways that you can get involved to ensure that producers in poor countries get a fair deal. Here are some ideas.

Activities of OneWorld�s U.S. Partners:

In its Make Trade Fair Campaign, Oxfam offers a number of ways to get involved, including sending a message of support to leaders in the developing world, emailing President George W. Bush, contacting the world's four biggest coffee companies to demand that they pay a decent price to producers, buying fair trade t-shirts, and more!

You can also join Oxfam in �The Big Noise,� which is bringing together people around the world to call for trade justice. This global petition already has millions of signatures. Add your voice to make trade fair!

Global Exchange asks for your support in �Taking Action for Fair Trade.� Their coffee and chocolate campaigns can help you to demand more fair trade from large corporations such as M&M, Mars, and Starbucks. Use the site to learn how to ask for local organic and union-labeled produce in your local supermarket.

By supporting fair trade, Lutheran World Relief makes choices in line with their religious beliefs. They offer a guide to

coordinating Fair Trade Coffee Projects in your church, but the information can be adapted for any fair trade awareness-raising effort. You can also take part in their Fair Trade Chocolate fundraising project as a great way to raise money and awareness!

The American Friends Service Committee offers ways to take action to promote trade justice, learn about trade, and find fair trade alternatives. Suggestions range from calling or writing a letter to your Congressman to inviting AFSC Trade Matters staff to speak in your community.

Other Fair Trade Campaigns:

Learn about Focus on the Global South�s Trade Campaign as it lobbies governments in Geneva, provides research and analysis, coordinates with national social movements, and helps organize global demonstrations.

The Trade Justice Program calls on the U.K. government to ensure trade justice. It�s part of the Trade Justice Movement, which is a fast growing group of 60 member organizations with over 9 million members. These include aid agencies, environment and human rights campaigns, fair trade organizations, and faith and consumer groups. Use their site to Vote for Trade Justice.

Mail Order Chickens uses comedy and satire to wake the world up to trade injustice. The stories and images illustrate trade injustice in Ghana and draw on a number of real-life case studies. This project, supported by Christian Aid, allows you to adopt your very own chicken!

To ensure that there is as much demand for fair trade coffee as supply, check out Free the Planet and get your college to switch to fair trade certified coffee. The organization works with students to make sure that protecting the environment is part of trade agreements. Become a member and receive access to materials for local and national campaigns.

Join the Free Trade Resource Network, a growing group of students mobilizing for social and environmental justice through the promotion of fair trade products, principles, and policies. Make plans to attend the 2006 United Students for Fair Trade Convergence in Denver in February 2006.

Check out Co-op America�s Fair Trade Alliance, a growing group of workplaces, community organizations, schools, yoga studios, peace centers, faith congregations, and more. Find out how you can work to educate others about fair trade products and serve these products at meetings, events, and social gatherings.