Submitted by Jacqueline DeCarlo, Senior Program Advisor to Catholic Relief Services and author of “Fair Trade: A Beginner’s Guide.”

Sharing Messages of Environmental Stewardship through Fair Trade

“Solidarity will transform the world” is the motto of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and in pursuit of that vision we provide U.S. Catholics opportunities to participate in the Fair Trade movement through crafts, chocolate and coffee projects. Many of the principles of Fair Trade-such as “promoting environmental sustainability”-match principles of Catholic Social Teaching, in this case “stewardship of God’s creation.” On World Fair Trade Day and throughout the year, CRS’s Fair Trade program provides resources and action opportunities to promote solidarity. One initiative we are particularly proud of is linking our craft partners at A Greater Gift with participants in CRS nutrition programs in Madagascar.

Since November 2005, A Greater Gift (AGG) and CRS have worked to build Fair Trade relationships with local Malagasy artisans. AGG design experts conduct intensive trainings with women that CRS has organized in two communities in Madagascar. Sharing their own skills and learning about product trends-such as a growing interest in recycled materials in the American market-better prepares artisans to export their products to the United States. Already one item has been added to A Greater Gift’s inventory: a school bag that is made from reclaimed denim. In the United States, CRS promotes the bag as a way for students to learn the importance of reusing materials and as a learning tool about the country of Madagascar. The artisans of Association Zazakely have embroidered happy school-day scenes on the bag, and teachers can guide the students in their understanding of what life is like in Madagascar, where only 1/3 of the children complete primary school.

Unique items like the school bag are a timely addition to the range of products U.S. Catholics find in the CRS crafts project. As more and more Americans gain a commitment to confronting global warming, the bag is an easy way to build understanding about the power of Fair Trade. The message of reusing denim not only to protect the planet but also to promote educational opportunities for the children of artisans resonates with young people growing in their commitment to environmental stewardship.

As sponsor of World Fair Trade Day in the United States, CRS is distributing posters, postcards and other materials created by the Fair Trade Resource Network to parishes, schools and individuals. Our grassroots staff is assisting in the planning of events on and around May 10. The opportunity to act in communities throughout the United States, while promoting the concerns of our brothers and sisters across the globe, is building enthusiasm for Fair Trade at CRS and beyond. We thank the organizers for their help and we look forward to being inspired by the ideas and activities of other Fair Traders!