What is Fair Trade?
Fair Trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help disadvantaged producers in developing countries. Fair trade is founded on a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that advocates the payment of fair wages to producers as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of a wide variety of goods. It contributes to social development and economic stability by offering a means to a fair wage and securing the rights of marginalized producers and workers - especially in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Fair Trade Federation Criteria
- Paying a fair wage in the local context.
- Offering employees opportunities for advancement.
- Engaging in environmentally sustainable practices.
- Being open to public accountability.
- Building long-term trade relationships.
- Providing healthy and safe working conditions within the local context.
- Providing financial and technical assistance to producers whenever possible.
- Ensuring that there is no abuse of child labor.
Why Buy Fair Trade?
Our mission at Seven Hopes United is to provide a globally conscious alternative in a market where profits rule and where exploited workers are often left without a voice or resources to provide basic human needs for their families. In this unfair market, children are left hungry and without an education, women are being exploited for money, and producers are working under inhumane conditions. Our hope at Seven Hopes United is to change all of that.
We hope to educate consumers on how their choices affect people's lives around the world. Fair trade offers exploited producers dignity, respect, and a means to a fair wage. We want to promote products that come from producers that protect the dignity and worth of all people, provide a living wage for their artisans, and are committed to investing in the community and their environment.
Why is Buying Fair Trade Important?
Beyond providing a living wage for disadvantaged producers around the world, revenues from fair trade cooperatives are invested back into producer communities in a variety of ways, including training producers in organic and sustainable farming techniques (which helps offset worldly carbon emissions), building houses, schools, and clinics that are able to provide health care for the entire community.
Unfortunately, an average of only 20% of producer goods are sold under fair trade terms; the rest goes through the world market at much lower prices. You can support fair trade by buying gifts, jewelry, home decor, and more through Seven Hopes United. Please help us in developing a globally conscious market and enriching the lives of thousands of artisans worldwide. You can make a difference and impact lives!
