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Fair Trade Federation Conference: A Growing Network of Fair Traders |
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By Andrew Kessel, Natural Foods Sales Representative
I just returned from Portland, Ore., where six of us from Equal Exchange attended the Fair Trade Federation’s annual conference. The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is a group of like-minded companies (wholesalers, retailers, and all points in-between) that operate the majority of their business according to Fair Trade principles and practices (see fairtradefederation.org for a list of those principles). Equal Exchange is a founding member of the FTF. This year, the FTF turns 15 and now boasts membership of over 270 organizations. One hundred percent Fair Traders like Peace Coffee, Alter Eco, and Equal Exchange were just a few of the 165 participants who traveled from three continents to Portland last week.
The purpose of this conference was twofold. One, to bring together a group of people who could share ideas, discussions, practical advice, and questions about problems we faced and how we’ve overcome them; and two, to provide a forum to promote our network of solidarity.
One of the reasons I wanted to go to this conference was to see how other people in the small, but growing, world of Fair Trade viewed Equal Exchange. While we are one of the largest Fair Trade companies in the U.S. (as well as one of the oldest), it was surprising how much conference attendees looked to Equal Exchange for leadership, inspiration, and courage in starting and/or continuing to develop their own businesses. This reminded me of how businesses, in addition to working co-operatively, can also feed off each others’ energies and gain motivation and inspiration.
During the conference, we won an award for “best public education program,” specifically for our work with interfaith communities, and just missed winning a second award for “most positive change created in a producer community in 2008.”
The nominations for the awards came from friends, members, and partners of the FTF. Comments about our work included, "[Equal Exchange gives] consumers full access to all of the details of their transactions with farmers,” “Their blogs, articles, curriculum guides and other tools help us educate our public here as well as visitors to their site,” and "Even their packaging has great tips on how to aid Fair Trade and get involved!"
Looking back at the conference, I realize we can’t do this alone and our 20 Year Vision involves a community of committed participants well beyond people who enjoy our Fair Trade coffee, tea, chocolate and snacks. Attending FTF conferences 15 years after their inception (and 24 years after our inception) is a mark of loyalty and devotion that is recognized by people in the Fair Trade community, and hopefully, we can continue to inspire and challenge others to think more about global trade and joining the Fair Trade movement.
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