Article 13 Supports Fairtrade Fortnight
As part of our United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) commitments to respect human rights and labour rights, Article 13 supports Fairtrade Fortnight.
Fairtrade advocates fairer conditions for workers, suppliers and producers in less developed areas, has a critical role in alleviating poverty and working towards a more sustainable and fairer world. Article 13 have made it a priority to regularly purchase Fairtrade products and raise awareness of the difference fairtrade can make.
Why Fairtrade?
It has been reported that a third of humanity still survive on less
than $2 a day (http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/). Unfair trade is said to
undercut producers in developing countries, which leads to farmers
being driven further into poverty. Unfair trade also plays a large role
in increased poverty within developing countries, with farmers and
producers having their human rights infringed and not receiving nearly
enough compensation for their long work hours.
Fairtrade refers to the promotion of sustainability and social
empowerment of producers, primarily within developing countries.
Fairtrade Fortnight is a social movement which aims… “to tip the
balance of trade in favour of poor producers.” Through choosing to purchase fairtrade
products individuals can have a beneficial impact on the fairer
treatment of the farmers and producers who operate mostly at the bottom
of the supply chain.
Fairtrade Fortnight
Fairtrade Fortnight (2009) is an important campaign to encourage people
to purchase Fairtrade. The campaign is titled “Make it happen. Choose
Fairtrade”. This campaign aims to encourage individuals, retailers,
businesses, producers and campaigners to organise fairtrade events,
promote awareness and incorporate fairtrade in their purchasing
decisions. Through a collective response to this campaign from a huge
range of stakeholders, we have the power to potentially change the
livelihoods of farmers, sustainably benefit areas of the developing
world and on a larger scale help reduce world poverty. This Fairtrade
Fortnight (2009) will hopefully culminate in a sales world record for
the purchase of fairtrade products, despite the recession.
What we can do?
Below is a list of examples how we can make a difference:
- Make fairtrade a part of your purchasing decisions.
- Start a fairtrade event, e.g. run a fairtrade breakfast club or set up a fairtrade stall.
- Businesses can promote greater awareness of their full range of
fairtrade products and make their products more visible in store. - Increase media coverage of fairtrade and wider trade justice issues, e.g. magazine and newspaper articles.
For more ideas and information visit http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/.
Contact information
Please contact Fiona Banyard on fionab@article13.com or call 020 8840 4450
Please also see Article 13’s website www.article13.com
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