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Saturday, May 13, 2006
Alter Trade joins World Fair Day
THE Alter Trade Group of Negros joins the people all over the world in commemorating the 5th World Fair Trade Day on Saturday.
This year's theme "Fair Trade Organizations Now" calls on world consumers to do their share in making World Trade fairer especially for the small producers in developing countries.
Fair Trade Organizations (FTOs) in the Philippines such as Alter Trade Corporation (Bacolod), Social Action Foundation for Rural and Urban Development Inc. (SAFRUDI-Manila, Southern Partners and Fair Trade Corporation (SPFTC-Cebu), PREDA Fair Trade (Metro Manila) among others, will voice out their call for alternative trading to help improve the lives of small producers in the country.
These organizations are involved in the export of Fair Trade products such as organic mascobado sugar, natural bananas, processed products and handicrafts to global shops.
Radio-TV talk shows, symposia, alternative bazaars, gallery displays, grand store openings and product launchings will highlight RP celebration.
Over the past 50 years, the Fair Trade concept has been developing and expanding in north countries particularly in Western Europe, United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
It came from a growing recognition that benefits from international trade are not equally shared among all countries; rather it merely enriched further the already rich countries.
Anja Osterhaus, a known European Fair Trade advocate said that after several rounds of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, "the world trading system still deeply unfair and needs to drastically change if it is to contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction."
On the other hand, Fair Trade seeks to increase the share of disadvantage producers from poor countries in international trade.
It is concerned not only with market access for small producers but it is equally concerned with increasing consumer awareness and policy advocacy.
Fair Trade registered 20 percent yearly growth in global trade since the beginning of the 21st century. More and more consumers want to be sure that producers receive a fair deal for their products.
This is called "socially responsible consumption."
Europe accounts for the biggest market for Fair Trade products with an estimated 60-70 percent of total global sales.
In the Philippines, Fair Trade movement is still in its infancy stage.
However, it has gained a dynamic growth that also increased opportunities for marginalized producers to have a better future. This includes a substantial section of agrarian reform beneficiaries in Negros who produce organic mascobado and Balangon bananas.
The World Fair Trade Day, the consumers, public authorities and private companies are all invited to join the festivities as Fair Trade Organizations speak in one loud voice to make trade fair and just. (Press release)
(May 13, 2006 issue)
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