“Fair trade is an agent of change. It promotes a way of living.” ~ by Raul de Aguila
Today’s radical and versatile society has given birth to various popular notions. One of such extravagance is the conceptualisation and adaption of fair trade. Fair trade is an important aspect and essence to the working, marketing ploy. Which initialises the consumer to make-believe over the fact that the goods purchased are one of worth and are good to consume upon. Fair trade is an assessment designed to aid the producers of developing countries in order to flourish and achieve sustainable, equitable trade relationships. It is a partnership which is firmly based on the dialogue, transparency, and respect that seeks greater ownership in International Trade. This network works on the belief in sustainable development by holding out better trade conditions with improved social and environmental standards. It further endorses the marginalised producers and workers by securing their rights and by withholding their commitment towards these workers. The members of this organisation improve the cost of the production for the exporters so as to benefit the producers. The organisations and agencies working under have their pure allegiance towards the expression of fair trade. Fair trade is more than just trading. Its sole purpose is to uplift the people and planet before profit. It works for the eradication of poverty, climate change, and injustice. The basic structure of the theme of Fair trade revolves around the enterprise models of the new economy. To understand fair trade better, let's start from the beginning when the fair trade vision was first seen. It was in the early 1950s when the fair trade was essentially started. The Europeans and Americans travelled overseas to come across artisans and farmers who were struggling to conjure enough money to cover the cost of their business. Most of these traders would sell their products at higher cost in their homeland and benefit these workers by bringing them back the profit. But it was in the 1990s when fair trade became a certification. It was when Paul Rice, the founder of US fair trade, was working with the coffee farmers in Nicaragua wanted to create standards that would govern fair trade across the globe and involve a globalised foundation to the base. Later, around 1997, Mr. Rice brought certification to large companies that sold commodities like cocoa, bananas, and tea. The organization began educating corporations on the importance of selling ethical products under fair-trade but also educated the consumers on the relevance of these products so as to increase awareness in the 21-century era, where all areas of societal norms are taking a diverse and modern form. It is only conventional that we adapt the ideology of fair trade more and indulge in taking up steps empowering fair trade to a higher level of proficiency. With the changing times, the need to give equal and fair chance to all is a necessity. Fair trade acts as a means of communication through which we can do numerous deeds to support each other. It provides clarity towards abolishing poverty by giving adequate profits to the rightful producers, with little but no chance, of exploitation and misuse of the hard-earned profits, through the corrupting ways gained by the workers by virtue of their product.
Further, more fair trade assists the farmers through climate change. Fairtrade’s unique approach helps farmers become more resilient to climate change, whilst at the same time giving consumers, retailers and traders the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint. Fairtrade helps farmers adapt, mitigate and become more flexible, and supports businesses and consumers to be part of a more sustainable supply chain. Moving on, it helps us fight inequality by giving them the rightful margin of their profit. By no means, cheating only trade, done in its own fair play, with ethical follow-ups.
Our foundation, Giri where we believe that every girl and woman of the mountain should get an adequate opportunity to showcase their skill and earn their deserved percentage. It not only helps in empowering today's women but also endeavours to boost their confidence thus proposing full utilisation of their skill. Hence by motivating the women in today’s society by challenging the practice of inferiority. Giving a firm fight to the patriarchal system, dysfunctioning old societal norms and old disregarded narrow-minded values existing in our society, through the system of Matriarchy.
So hence, in conclusion, I would like to say that, here at Giri, we firmly believe that it is essential to indulge in the practice of the anatomy of fair trade and to abide by this system for all our future operations.
Image credits: Hans Foundation