| FAIR TRADE: VERY USEFUL WEBSITES |
INTRODUCTION
Fair Trade is a different approach to conducting trade between nations that focuses on developing local markets and
providing a fair price to producers. In other words, it attempts to address the impoverishment of the world’s producers.
The movement had its beginning in 1946 when Edna Ruth Byler, an American Mennonite volunteer, went to Puerto
Rico to work with poor female artisans. After first selling their needlework products in the USA from the trunk of her car,
she founded Ten Thousand Villages. Her work to lift artisans out of poverty by finding markets for their products
sparked a global movement to eradicate poverty through market-based solutions.
Learn more about the history of the Fair Trade global movement here.
Fair Trade producers of items such as coffee, tea, chocolate, wine, flowers, and craft are organized democratically.
They are paid a living wage, have safe working conditions, and use environmentally sustainable means of production.
To make these changes possible, consumers of fair trade products must be willing to pay a bit more, thereby
contributing towards reducing global poverty.
The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) defines Fair Trade as “a trading partnership, based on dialogue,
transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by
offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the
South… Fair Trade is more than just trading: it proves that greater justice in world trade is possible. It highlights the
need for change in the rules and practice of conventional trade and shows how a successful business can also put
people first.”
WORLD FAIR TRADE ORGANIZATION (WFTO)
Created in 1989, with its Head Office in The Netherlands, the WFTO – formerly known as the International Fair Trade
Association (IFTA) – is the authentic voice of Fair Trade and a guardian of Fair Trade values. It is a global
representative body of over 450 organizations committed to 100% Fair Trade. It operates in 75 countries across Africa,
Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America and the Pacific Rim. Over a million small-scale producers and workers
in the South are organized in more than 3,000 cooperatives. Their products are sold mainly in the North – USA,
Canada, and Europe – in thousands of World-shops or Fair Trade shops, supermarkets, and many other sales outlets.
The goal of the WFTO is to enable small producers to improve their livelihoods and communities through sustainable
Fair Trade. It achieves this through direct market access not available to small producers. Learn more.
The WFTO prescribes ten principles that Fair Trade Organizations must follow in their day-to-day operations and
monitor members to ensure that these principles are observed. Learn more about these ten principles.
WFTO REGIONAL OFFICES
Asia World Fair Trade Organization
Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa (COFTA)
European Chapter of the World Fair Trade Organization
Latin America International Fair Trade Association
Pacific Rim World Trade Organization
WFTO LOGO & FAIRTRADE LABEL
Fair Trade is a different approach to conducting trade between nations that focuses on developing local markets and
providing a fair price to producers. In other words, it attempts to address the impoverishment of the world’s producers.
The movement had its beginning in 1946 when Edna Ruth Byler, an American Mennonite volunteer, went to Puerto
Rico to work with poor female artisans. After first selling their needlework products in the USA from the trunk of her car,
she founded Ten Thousand Villages. Her work to lift artisans out of poverty by finding markets for their products
sparked a global movement to eradicate poverty through market-based solutions.
Learn more about the history of the Fair Trade global movement here.
Fair Trade producers of items such as coffee, tea, chocolate, wine, flowers, and craft are organized democratically.
They are paid a living wage, have safe working conditions, and use environmentally sustainable means of production.
To make these changes possible, consumers of fair trade products must be willing to pay a bit more, thereby
contributing towards reducing global poverty.
The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) defines Fair Trade as “a trading partnership, based on dialogue,
transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by
offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the
South… Fair Trade is more than just trading: it proves that greater justice in world trade is possible. It highlights the
need for change in the rules and practice of conventional trade and shows how a successful business can also put
people first.”
WORLD FAIR TRADE ORGANIZATION (WFTO)
Created in 1989, with its Head Office in The Netherlands, the WFTO – formerly known as the International Fair Trade
Association (IFTA) – is the authentic voice of Fair Trade and a guardian of Fair Trade values. It is a global
representative body of over 450 organizations committed to 100% Fair Trade. It operates in 75 countries across Africa,
Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America and the Pacific Rim. Over a million small-scale producers and workers
in the South are organized in more than 3,000 cooperatives. Their products are sold mainly in the North – USA,
Canada, and Europe – in thousands of World-shops or Fair Trade shops, supermarkets, and many other sales outlets.
The goal of the WFTO is to enable small producers to improve their livelihoods and communities through sustainable
Fair Trade. It achieves this through direct market access not available to small producers. Learn more.
The WFTO prescribes ten principles that Fair Trade Organizations must follow in their day-to-day operations and
monitor members to ensure that these principles are observed. Learn more about these ten principles.
WFTO REGIONAL OFFICES
Asia World Fair Trade Organization
Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa (COFTA)
European Chapter of the World Fair Trade Organization
Latin America International Fair Trade Association
Pacific Rim World Trade Organization
WFTO LOGO & FAIRTRADE LABEL
DISCLAIMER: Links to other websites are provided for informational purposes only. Rosaliene Bacchus is not responsible
for the information contained in articles and sites nor should it be construed that Rosaliene Bacchus endorses the views
contained therein.
for the information contained in articles and sites nor should it be construed that Rosaliene Bacchus endorses the views
contained therein.
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The WFTO logo or FTO Mark, as it is known,
is displayed by authorized members who are
100 percent committed to Fair Trade. As at
October 2011, the WFTO advised that they will
be transitioning to a new logo. It is not a
product label.
is displayed by authorized members who are
100 percent committed to Fair Trade. As at
October 2011, the WFTO advised that they will
be transitioning to a new logo. It is not a
product label.
The Fairtrade Label, used to identify Fair
Trade products, is issued by the Fairtrade
Labelling Organisation (FLO). When a
product carries the Fairtrade Label, it means
that the producers and traders have met Fair
Trade standards.
Trade products, is issued by the Fairtrade
Labelling Organisation (FLO). When a
product carries the Fairtrade Label, it means
that the producers and traders have met Fair
Trade standards.