What is Fair Trade?   Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair Trade organisations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising, and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.  Visit our About Fair Trade page for more information and resources regarding Fair Trade

Why should YOU support Fair Trade?  Supporting Fair Trade thru advocacy and awareness activities and thru purchasing Fair Trade products is something you can do today that has real impact on the lives of millions of marginalized producers and farmers in developing countries. Some other reasons Fair Trade is awesome include:

      It is a business model to improve livelihoods. 

o       Provides a fair wage

o       Encourages sustainability and capacity building (long-term trading contracts, prepayment and credit terms, technical assistance)

o       Creates empowerment (helps to establish democratically run cooperatives)

o       Cooperatives allow for collective bargaining and scales of economy  (cheaper products, shared resources, joint marketing)

      Protects human rights (social justice, economic security, environmental responsibility).

      Nurtures communities, a portion of profits are put back into the community for health, education, sanitation etc.

      Includes standards for quality

      Demands transparency

      Is an impetus for change, puts ethics on the agenda (Starbucks)

      Provides a civic/consumer platform for campaigning

How can I get involved?  First and foremost, buy Fair Trade products whenever you have a choice! Visit our Where to Buy page for more information. Next, get personally involved in fairtrade.sg! 

For more information on Fair Trade you can view the presentation made by Footprint Singapore at the 1 Degree Festival.

You can also visit the following web-sites:

fairtrade.sg
http://www.fairtrade.sg

villagexchange
http://www.villagexchange.org/

International Federation of Alternative Trade
http://www.ifat.org

Fairtrade Labelling Organisations Int’l
http://www.fairtrade.net/