An article by Anna Weir |
We have as a Church been involved with Traidcraft for a number of years. Traidcraft is the UK's largest fair trade organisation. It was set up by a group of Christians in 1979 to challenge the manner in which international trade works, denying poor countries the right to compete. For example, unfair trade rules prevent Africa, the world's poorest region, obtaining maximum value for the export of coffee beans. If Ghana's farmers export raw cocoa beans into the E.U they pay a tariff of 3%. If they export processed chocolate they face a tariff of 27%. Tariffs and quotas limit how much they can sell, as does lack of money and credit. Unpredictable world prices and unreasonable demands can result in selling at a loss. Lack of knowledge is also a factor.
Traidcraft operates on the principle that we can make a difference:
- By paying a fair price to the producer, whereby he can cover his costs and make a profit. The "fair trade fair price" system pays a minimum price however low world prices fall, with percentage increases as they rise. Producers decide how profits will be spent. E.g.: a weaver in Bangladesh found his wages rise by 40% when he moved from a commercial company to a fair trade one.
- By selling food, beverages, wine, crafts, paper etc through an extensive network of fairtraders, retailers, and catalogues. The 2003 Christmas catalogue is available now.
By receiving a fair wage for their products, whole communities will benefit from cleaner water, better health care, an improved diet, education and housing.
 Traidcraft is growing very fast year by year, and making a difference.
The gap between rich and poor in the developed world is growing.
We have consumer power. We can make a difference by the way we shop.
St Margaret's Fair Traders sell Traidcraft goods within the Church, via a charity shop, and to individuals in the community. We are also prepared to carry out special events and talks to groups, including schools, to explain how Fair Trade works.
On November 1st we shall have a large selection of Traidcraft goods on sale in the Church of Scotland hall in Lochgilphead from 11am-4pm. This will be an opportunity both to do some early Christmas shopping and to help the developing world.
Soon we hope to be linked to the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, broadening and pulling together the various strands of work we do, or hope to do, in the area.
A verse from the scripture sums up our motivation; “what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 68).
Recommended Reading: "The Dignity of Difference" by Jonathan Sacks - The Chief Rabbi’s Clear and brilliant critique of the politics and economics of globalisation and their effects. A warning on avoiding “the clash of civilisations”.
Related websites: Traidcraft
|
Traidcraft
