Fair Trade must remember Europe

This World Fair Trade Day, 12th May, we would like to bring some focus on Europe’s poorest country, Georgia.

Most consumers in western countries first and foremost associate Fair Trade with ethically responsible production of food, e.g. coffee and bananas, in some of the world’s poorest countries in Africa, South America and Asia.

But Fair Trade is much more than that. Fair Trade is also involved in the European production of Christmas Trees, which is collectively a billion dollar business. Here we need to put in a special effort in Georgia, Europe’s poorest country, where every year many tons of Christmas tree seeds are collected.

“It is important to let people know that Fair Trade is not only about sustainability and wage and working conditions in Africa and Asia. There is also a battle to be fought in Europe”, says Marianne Bols, owner of Bols Forstplanteskole, who, five years ago, introduced a new way of producing Christmas trees under the name Fair Trees.

The new concept is certified by Fair Trade Denmark and is based on the 10 central principles of Fair Trade. Among other things, Fair Trees guarantees a fair wage for poor Georgian cone pickers, as well as proper safety gear when they climb to a height of 30 metres to collect cones.

Investing in GeorgiaFor every Christmas tree sold Bols Forstplanteskole donates a part of the money to investment in the local area of Georgia where seeds are gathered. On World Fair Trade Day more than 600 children in the region of Ambrolauri can look forward to a visit to the dentist and medical examinations in mobile medical clinics. Furthermore, a donation of £10,000 will go toward a renovation of the local school, and the children will receive school bags with writing implements and paper.

“As a western producer we have a responsibility for ensuring that the countries we work and trade with are developing. By contributing to schooling and education in Georgia, we are helping to secure ways for the countries to conduct sound business in the future – which in turn will benefit us in the West”, says Marianne Bols.

“Fair Trade is not simply a matter of the manufacturers donating a bag of money. We have to constantly look at how we are able to further business and create production forms and deals to the advantage of both the environment and people working in the Christmas tree business”, Marianne Bols concludes.

FACTS: Christmas tree production and Fair Trees®More than 80% of Christmas trees sold in Europe are based on seeds from the Ambrolauri-Tlugi province in Georgia. Fair Trees owns 25% of the harvest rights in Tlugi proportional to 16 tons of seeds.

Fair Trees® is a concept developed under Fair Trade Denmark with the aim of ensuring a sustainable production, decent wage and working conditions, while at the same time focusing on quality.  Fair Trees® makes use of impartial, outside auditing to control working conditions, cone picking and production. Fair Trees® is a member of WFTO.

Fairwind is an active member of Ethical Junction

2012 dates

Community Orchard Training 19 May, 21 May & 22 May

Introduction to Photovoltaics 2 June

Self building an Earthship 15-17 June

Introduction to Permaculture 23-24 June

Forest Gardening 30 June-1 July

Fruit Tree Grafting 4 August

Introduction to Permaculture 9-10 Aug

Scything 11-12 August

Apple Day at Stanmer Park 30 September

Practical Permaculture Gardening 6-7 October

Building with Rammed Earth and Chalk 13-14 October

Eco Open Houses 25-28 October

Planning and Planting a Small Orchard 1 & 3 December

2013 dates

Pruning Old Fruit Trees 12-13 & 15-16 Jan 2013

Full details and bookings: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

Brighton Permaculture Trust is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The Big MuLondon Giveaway is now on!

For the next few months you will be able to win some exclusive MuLondon organic skincare prizes, and there will be a grand winner getting a treat that money can’t buy! This giveaway is open WORLDWIDE.

Prizes

Every month there will be five winners:

5 x MuLondon organic skincare products (choose from any one full-size product or two trial-size products)
5 x MuLondon cosmetic bags

Each winner will get a MuLondon product of their choice and a limited-edition MuLondon cosmetic bag, shipped free to anywhere in the World!

Grand prize for one winner at the end of the competition:

6 jars of custom-made MuLondon moisturiser, MuLondon cosmetic bag, shopping bag, T-shirt and 5 existing MuLondon products of your choice.

Extra Prizes and Surprises

In addition to the prizes above, there will be some surprises each month for the best and most original entries and for those of you that go the extra mile

More surprises and special tasks will be posted on Facebook, twitter, Google+ and in the monthly MuLondon newsletter.

Tasks

For each task you complete, you will be entered into the competition once. The more task you complete, the more entries you get.

For this month’s task and more information on prizes, head over to

http://www.MuLondon.com/BIG

MuLondon – Natural Organic Skincare is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Does your business use plastic bags? Many countries have already banned plastic bags or implemented a bag tax and more will follow suit over the coming years. There’s no news on what will happen in England yet and the jury is still out on how any changes will affect business.

Wales also introduced a bag tax in 2011 and Northern Ireland is bringing one in in 2013. The BBC has reported that six months since the introduction of a minimum 5p charge per bag that supermarkets in Wales have seen a reduction in their use of up to 90%.

I recently wrote a blog on this subject and you can read it here:
What does the future hold for plastic bags?

What would you do about plastic bags? Are you in favour of an outright ban or would you prefer to see a bag tax or more recycling?

Smart Bags is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Afgnaistan is part of the orginal “hippy trail” and has a great history of textiles, arts and crafts. But war and conflict have meant that in modern times it’s become a difficult place to visit, and Afghan products like handmade textiles, clothing and accessories are difficult to find in the West, compared to those from other countries in Asia. From The Source are working with Zardozi, an Afghan non-governmental organisation, to bring fair trade products to the UK and enable women in Aghanistan to generate income through skilled work. Fair Trade in Afghanistan can help tackle poverty, empower women and gennerate sustainable and long term international economic relationships built on trust and respect.

We currently have a range of beautiful, hand-embroidered cases and bags from Zardozi in Afganistan available online, and are planning to bring on new lines of fair trade products from Afghanistan this year. The fabric glasses cases with zangeera (“chain stitch”) embroiderey are particularly stunning!

Bringing small products such as these to the international market is a step towards building new relationships with Afghanistan and helping people to overcome poverty in conflict-affected areas.

read more about Zardozi on our blog

From The Source is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

An idyllic shepherd’s hut on a beautiful organic Derbyshire Dales farm. Breakfast provisions are included in the price. Shepherds huts are a traditional part of the farming landscape and fit well within our organic farm environment. The hut is built in a traditional style but with good insulation and a lovely wood burning stove for cosy evenings. The accommodation sleeps two people and includes a double bed with luxury bed linen and throws made from our organic rare breed sheep wool, antique furniture and period china. There is an outside cooking and dining area with beautiful views. We will provide produce from the farm for you to make breakfast, and you will be able to buy seasonal organic produce from us for other meals if you wish. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/3104.htm

Organic Holidays is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Fair Trade has been a hugely successful campaign that has proved resilient to the recession, unlike the organic movement. According to the Fairtrade Foundation UK sales of Fairtrade products exceeded £1.3 billion in 2011, a 12% increase on 2010. And these figures only include Fairtrade “agricultural” products certified under the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO), they don’t include figures for gifts and handicrafts that are certified by the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO), like the gifts Fairwind sells.

So why has it been so successful? Well apart from the general change in attitudes in the UK as people become more aware of international issues and the sourcing of products, it must be because fairly traded products are good. No-one buys a product unless they feel a benefit from doing so! And fairly traded products are no more expensive than other good quality products.

Certainly Fair Trade gifts are stunning these days. Not only are they beautifully handmade but they are made for our markets. UK Fair Trade organisations work with producers in the developing world to design products that use traditional skills to make well-designed products that we all want to buy here in the UK.

So what is a fair trade gift?

If you buy a gift from a member of the British Association of Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS) or WFTO then you can be sure of 10 key things, the 10 Principles of Fair Trade:

1. Fair Trade creates opportunities for ecomically disadvantaged producers, enabling them to move from income insecurity and poverty to economic self-sufficiency and ownership.
2. Management and commercial relationships are transparent, relevant information is provided to all trading partners in open and honest relationships.
3. Fair trading practices ensure that profit is not maximised at the expense of marginalised producers. Long term relationships based on solidarity, trust and mutual respect are developed between producers and buyers. Advance interest-free payments are made for all orders, of at least 50%, to ensure that producers are not out of pocket and can meet their obligations.
4. A fair price is always paid for products. This means that a mutually agreeable price is set that is socially acceptable in the producer’s country and which takes into account equal pay for all workers and supports capacity building and investment by the producer.
5. No child labour or forced labour is used to make fair trade products. This doesn’t mean that the children of family producers don’t help out in the business, but it does ensure they are safe, go to school and are not exploited.
6. Producers do not discriminate against existing and prospective employees based on race, caste, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union membership, political affiliation, HIV/Aids status or age.
7. Good working conditions are provided for all workers. This doesn’t just mean a safe and healthy workplace but also ensure working hours and holidays are reasonable.
8. Producers are given support, training and advice to help them invest in their businesses and grow.
9. Fair Trade retailers and importers are passionate about Fair Trade and will try to raise awareness of Fair Trade and international trade issues wherever they can. Fair Trade is not a marketing gimmick for BAFTS and WFTO members, it is a true belief in the right way to do business.
10. Fair Trade organisations respect the environment by using raw materials from sustainably managed sources wherever possible and by minimising energy consumption as much as possible. The impact of waste is minimised through recycling and responsible disposal.

Fair Trade has changed many lives in the developing world and we hope to bring you some heart warming examples over the next few weeks. Women in particular have benefitted from Fair Trade as it opens up equal opportunities for them and gives them independence and confidence. Children get to go to school and have access to healthcare which raises their life expectancy and education levels such that the whole country starts to benefit over time.

The future of developing countries lies in Fair Trade not aid, creating independence and prosperity from grass roots levels, thus bringing change.

Buy fair trade gifts at http://www.fairwindonline.com/

Fairwind is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

There’s no better way to treat your tired and dull skin than by applying a natural face cream. It seems such a small thing, but by applying a moisturiser twice daily to your face and neck, your skin looks healthy, radiant and hydrated which is key in the fight against the signs of aging.

It is important to use a natural face cream within your daily skin care regime in order to keep skin supple and soft, helping you to avoid irritable dry skin. A natural moisturiser will help in three ways, to hydrate skin, provide it with oils to keep it soft and also feeds skin with beneficial ingredients to keep it healthy and firm.

Hydrating your skin is important on the outside to retain your beautiful appearance, but also on the inside, as the body is mostly made up of water. Skin is approximately 70% water and it needs a little help as it struggles to regulate itself. Weather, pollution and heating conspire to sap the skin of its moisture. A natural moisturiser will help provide the skin with a much needed hydration boost.

A good moisturiser will provide oil for your skin, but without clogging your pores or making your skin oily. This is why natural face creams provide the best care for your skin, as they will melt into the skin, skin can absorb all the nutrients, unlike many high street moisturizing products which have a tendency to sit on the skin. A natural face cream will also help to protect your skin from environmental pollution.

Natural moisturizers are packed full of ingredients which will help fight free radicals that can damage skin cells. Anti-oxidants help fight these free radicals and repair skin cells, ingredients like vitamin E which has been proven to improve skin and is said to improve the elasticity of your skin. Other ingredients that you might look for in a facial moisturizing product include avocado as it is packed with vitamin E and is a rich source of anti-oxidants which will help skin improve its collagen production.

As known lovers of all natural ingredients, ONG has a wide range of natural facial creams which will help your skin look beautiful on the outside, feel beautiful on the inside and boost your confidence. You can feel assured that we only sell creams we feel happy are beneficial to skin, so have a browse of our different brands, scents and ingredients knowing that they all have our seal of approval. We can guarantee that once your skin has been treated to the luxuriance of a natural face cream you will never want to use anything else!

ONG Natural Bodycare Limited is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

“This is a time of incredible courage” says John Perkins, an insider in the global financial system committed to a new form of global economics. He comes to world renowned Schumacher College in the UK to talk about how we can create a world that will “make our children proud of us.”  Course participants will be looking at the collapse of the economic system, personal journey and the engagement needed by each of us to transform the world we live in.

John Perkins’s classic exposé, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, spent over 70 weeks in the New York Times bestseller lists and is published in more than 30 languages. His two follow-up books – New York Times bestseller, The Secret History of the American Empire, and Hoodwinked – provide a plan for creating a better world.  John Perkins comes to Schumacher College May 21-25, 2012 to lead Hoodwinked! What Wrecked our Economy and How to Fix It to explore this plan and how it relates to each of us.

Uniquely well placed to explore with us how we can address the collapsing economic system, John Perkins worked in the 1970s as the chief economist of a major consulting firm. With participants he will discuss how predatory capitalism has expanded across the globe, and where the potential is to transform our destructive economic system, detailing specific steps each of us can take to create a sustainable, just, and peaceful world.

John Perkins is also  the author of Shapeshifting, The World Is As You Dream It, and other books on indigenous cultures; founder and board member of Dream Change and The Pachamama Alliance. Participants on his course at Schumacher College will be invited to follow their passions and use their talents to alter energy patterns on individual and global levels.

John Perkins at Schumacher College May 21-25, 2012: Hoodwinked! What Wrecked our Economy and How to Fix It

http://www.schumachercollege.org.uk/courses/hoodwinked-what-wrecked-our-economy-and-how-to-fix-it

Tel: +44 (0)1803 865934
Email: admin@schumachercollege.org.uk

Schumacher College: With a focus on interactive, experiential and participatory learning, Schumacher College offers the practical skills and strategic thinking required to face the ecological, economic and social challenges of the 21st Century. www.schumachercollege.org.uk

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Renowned leather satchel makers Scaramanga have launched a leather saddle bag to add to their range of handmade vintage inspired women’s leather satchels and travel bags. Crafted from a unique quality brown distressed  leather tanned especially for Scaramanga.

Scaramanga’s vintage leather saddle bag has been designed for women who want a functional classic looking leather bag for their daily essentials that could be used for going out, shopping and work.

Each bag comprises a large main compartment and a spacious front pocket with a flap.

Carl Morenikeji, founder of Scaramanga, said: ‘we had quite a few customers ask us if we could create a smaller handbag styled bag, but keep same finish and look of our smaller vintage leather satchels. We immediately thought of leather vintage saddle bag.

Scaramanga is a business based in Fife, Scotland specialising in vintage inspired leather bags and authentic vintage and retro furniture and interiors.

supplying stylish vintage fashion accessories and interiors. Ranging from antique wooden chests and trunks, old kitchen cabinets and
cupboards and vintage styled leather satchels and messenger bags.

Scaramanga sources individual items which are exclusive to the company, so customers can rest assured their accessories and home furnishings are one of a kind.

The leather saddle bag is priced at £42.50 and is available exclusively online at: www.scaramangashop.co.uk
or at Scaramanga’s Cupar store.

Scaramanga is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more