Building Change: the Fair Trade movement from local to global

1. Building Change:  the Fair Trade movementfrom local to global By:

2. Why Fair Trade? • Because: • In a matter of years there will be 9 billion people on this planet • Social issues and poverty continue to dominate the landscape globally • Environmental degradation continues to increase at astounding rates • Our economic model is collapsing beneath us • We need a new business model and approach to global trade

3. A few reasons for this state • We are stuck in a rut • We are hemmed in by old ways of thinking and old ways of trading, doing business, manufacturing and producing • Our governments refuse to address the realities of today, nor the realities of tomorrow • We now view the world for what it can’t be rather than for what it can

4. What Fair Trade is trying to do about it • Empower producers to take a stance • Empower consumers to make informed choices • Bring business in line with the realities of our social and environmental world • Drive change from the bottom up

5. Goals Fair Trade is seeking to achieve • Equalized global trading system • Equal opportunity • Access to health, safety and fair pay • Economic stability • Environmental sustainability

6. Barriers Fair Trade seeks to overcome For producers • Access to markets and global pricing • Access to tools and resources For Consumers • Access to information - Addressed through traceability, allowing individuals to vote with their dollar For businesses • Instability, uncertainty and risk - Providing stability and assurance

7. How does it do this?

8. Step 1 – By creating stability

9. Retailer Distributor Retailer Roaster Roaster Importer Importer Broker Exporter Cooperative Transporter Local Farmers Local Farmers Step 2 – By simplifying supply chains byCreating direct relationships with producers Fair Trade Conventional

10. Step 3 – By strengthening the voice of producers through the Cooperative System

11. Step 4 – By ensuring that the principles of Participatory Democracy are adhered to • The cooperative system means each member has a voice • Decisions and plans for the community are made democratically • Opportunities for capacity building are created

12. Step 5 – By building direct & long-term relationships back into the system

13. Step 6 – By protecting workers and the environment through Sustainable agriculture and farming methods

14. Step 7 – By Strengthening communities Through Social premiums 20 cents per pound of coffee $1 premium per box of bananas that benefit the communities

15. Where Coops Invest in Education

16. Where Coops Invest in health and social programs

17. WherecoopsInvest in training

18. Where coops Invest in equipment & Technology

19. How did all of this get started?

20. History of the social movement • 40’s/50’s - Handicrafts • 60’s – Trade not aid campaigns – Oxfam UK • 70’s – Alternate trading models established between buyer and seller • 80’s/90’s - Gradual shift into agricultural goods begins – Labeling and certification become established • 2000’s – Grass roots continues to be driving force behind Fair Trade • Business begins to see increased demand from consumers • While view Fair Trade as a more stable way to do business

21. Eventually leading to an Increase in the number of Products available

22. What assurances are there?

23. History of Labelling and certification • 88 – The Max Havelaar labelling Initiative begins in the Netherlands • 90’s – Other Labelling Initiatives spring up in different parts of the world • 97/98 – Labelling Initiatives come together as global partnership – International Fair Trade Label Organization (FLO) created • 2002 – Fairtrade International Mark launched

24. The Global Fair Trade System There are now 3 Producer Networks made up of over 1.2 Million producers in 64 countries There are now 27 Organizations – 19 Labelling Initiatives, 3 Associate Members and 5 Marketing Organizations Companies Products

25. Certification • Supply Chain Verification • Transparency, traceability and accountability • Providing risk management • Opportunity to buy and conduct business in an ethical and Fair way • Become part of a global system • Use of the worlds most globally recognized ethical seal

26. Standards • Fair Trade Minimum Price • Pre-Harvest Credit • Payment of a Fair Trade Premium • Fair and Safe Working Conditions • Stability and Guarantee: • Direct Relationship • Long term relationships  • Contracts:  • Transparency, accountability and Traceability • Environmental sustainability: • Safeguarding of natural resources • Environmental responsibility • Opportunity: • Creating economic opportunity  • Capacity building  • Gender Equity

27. What role does civil society play in all of this?

28. Civil Society has been the driving force behind the development of this social movement • Partnerships, relationships, networking and making connections • Building, organizing and coordinating the movement • Driving the demand – Creating the markets

29. Taking Tangible Steps Forward

30. By taking a diverse Approach

31. By Getting Organized Canadian Fair Trade Network St. John Edmonton Saskatoon Charlottetown Calgary Vancouver Fredericton Regina Winnipeg Quebec Halifax Ottawa Montreal Toronto

32. By looking for strategic inputs that Create systemic or cascading change

33. By Utilizing Leverage Points

34. By pushing, supporting and creating new business models

35. Final remarks • Change is possible • Working together will ensure we will get to where we need to get to Thank you for your time