Things you can do
About the WFTD 2007 theme

What is World Fair Trade Day?

World Fair Trade Day is the world’s annual celebration of fair trade. It is the first global campaign that connects fair trade producers and consumers around the world.

On and around the second Saturday of May every year, fair trade organizations, stores, consumers, and supporters based in 70 countries campaign for justice in trade and host events promoting fair trade. The days and weeks around May 12 offer the opportunity for people worldwide to help to spread the word about fair trade. People around the world host events, such as

1. fair trade breakfasts and talks
2. house parties and music concerts
3. photo exhibitions and crafts sales
4. fair trade soccer games and much more…

Others use World Fair Trade Day to launch longer-term initiatives. This year in the United States, with a special focus on children and fair trade, some fair traders will launch campaigns in their communities to bring fair trade to their schools – whether through fundraisers using fair trade chocolate, buying fair trade uniforms, or playing sports with fair trade soccer and volleyballs. Others will use WFTD as an opportunity to open new fair trade retail locations or inaugurate efforts to make their municipality a “Fair Trade Town”.

World Fair Trade Day was initiated in Europe by members of the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT), which held its first World Fair Trade Day celebrations in 2002. Since then, World Fair Trade Day has taken off worldwide. More people in the US are celebrating World Fair Trade Day every year. In 2006, over 81 communities were involved in various activities and celebrations, a 51% increase in events from 2005. Let’s do our best to double that number this year. Together we can change the world.

Things YOU Can Do to Promote Fair Trade:

1. Buy fair trade products

Be informed when buying products. By buying fair trade, you ensure that the artisans and farmers that make your food, clothing, and other goods are involved in a commercial exchange that is not exploitative. If you buy non-fair trade products, you may unknowingly be buying something made in unfair conditions or supporting the deterioration of the environment.

Fair trade only works if empowered consumers buy Fair Trade! So whenever possible, seek out companies that are dedicated to producing 100% fair trade products.

To learn more about where to buy fair trade, check out:
• This year’s WFTD partners
• Fair Trade Federation
• Transfair
• Coop America

2. Take part in this year’s World Fair Trade Day events

Join in the fun! The fair trade movement will be celebrated worldwide throughout May 2007. Learn more about fair trade events near you and how you can make a difference.

3. Organize a World Fair Trade Day event in your community

Access the World Fair Trade Day Resource Kit for ideas for some great events and activities. The resource kit is designed for use by all kinds of people. Whether you are thinking about doing something big or small, short- or long-term, in your school or in your faith community, there are ideas there for you.

4. Spread the word!

Tell all your friends about World Fair Trade Day and the great events that are taking place! Download or order the 2007 World Fair Trade Day poster. Bring a copy to every coffee shop you know or post one in your church hall or your synagogue’s community space. Wherever! Just get the word out – “Buy Fair Trade.”

5. Send your message to stores and companies!

As a consumer you are influential. Ask your favorite retail stores to stock fair trade products. Write to brand name companies to show you care about producers’ rights and the environment. Apply pressure on them to make products in a fairer way, which protects producers and the environment. Once manufacturers have been made aware of their customers’ expectations, their products and business ethics will change to reflect these. See Oxfam America’s Check Out Fair Trade Campaign

6. Contribute to FTRN

Fair Trade Resource Network (FTRN) has helped tens of thousands of consumers understand the benefits of Fair Trade, with a ripple effect that’s helped many more thousands of farmers and artisans worldwide. Thanks to donors like you, FTRN will continue to educate Americans about the impact of their buying decisions - and how each of us can make a difference - with the promise of lasting benefits for working families around the world.  Donate now.

About the WFTD 2007 Theme: “Kids Need Fair Trade”

Fair trade aims to change the economic and social structures of our world, and empowers marginalized people to avoid or escape the poverty trap. If adults are paid a fair price for their work, their children are able to go to school and live a healthy and full life, rather than having to work. Fair trade not only benefits adults - it helps kids too!

In 2004, 246 million children aged between five and seventeen were child workers, 73 million working children were less than 10 years old, 180 million worked in extremely dangerous conditions and 6.4 million children were trapped in slavery, trafficking, debt bondage, prostitution, pornography and other illicit activities (Network of European World Shops [NEWS]).

Governmental programs to stop child labor and bring children back to school are having some impact on addressing these issues. But these cannot be effective without addressing the root cause of child labor: poverty.

The unfair terms of trade for raw materials, crippling import tariffs in industrial countries, and heavily subsidized goods from industrial countries are all practices that exclude and marginalize millions of people in the rural South. Fair trade makes a concrete contribution to the reduction of poverty and therefore has the potential to significantly reduce the incidence of child labor.

This section is based on information provided by:

• International Fair Trade Association (IFAT)
• Network of European Worldshops (NEWs)
• Global Village (Japanese language site)
• People Tree

For more about World Fair Trade Day in Europe and elsewhere in the world, access http://www.wftday.org/.