The Fair Trade Story: Doing the Right Thing!
Do you know about fair trade? Fair trade is the only ethical form of trading, helping farmers and artisans develop business skills and sustainability, by creating a global farmer's market! Be fair, be just and be globally minded for all.
Fair Trade & Equality for All
I finally got around to adding the Fair Trade Federation member logo on this site, after applying, getting approved and paying my annual dues. I've been so busy with my new day job (as a director for an educational company), that I've not had time to blog or update my websites.
Globally Minded can now be found on the Fair Trade Federation directory. Being a part of a growing movement of socially conscious buyers and consumers is very gratifying because I know fair trade works, improving and empowering artisans and families we support.
Globally Minded fair trade and handcrafted jewelry is available for wholesale and retail. We really prefer to market our jewelry in retail brick and mortar stores. Sales of our products benefits Globally Minded Works, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit, supporting women and children in Guatemala.
Although we live in a world of injustice and inequality, fair trade and equality for all are worthy causes to support. Join our efforts to make life better for all; commit to buying fair trade handcrafts, gifts and products.
Go Green on Little Things: Shopping
Go Green on the Little Things is a 7 part series, providing various tidbits and advice about green living and choices for the following: home living, office spaces, school, shopping, health and beauty, money and finance, and buildings.
Today, let's discuss Go Green on the Little Things: Shopping. Even as the US economy is shaking, we are still the world's top consumer nation. With 6.6 billion people on this small planet, just imagine the amount of refuse collected on a daily basis. Manufacturers require a vast amount of energy and water for production, as well as waste, and this is long before the products reach you and me, the consumers. Along with buying tons of products a year, we also produce tons of waste (literally) as a result of packaging and discarding used products and other.
Grocery shopping
Before you begin your grocery shopping, make sure you buy an eco-friendly, reusable bag(s). When you buy your food, consider this: less is more. Less packaging is much better for the environment and will help to make the planet greener. Also, shop for your fruits and vegetables at your local farmer's market. Buying bulk foods will also help to reduce packaging waste.
Natural Colors and Cotton
Did you know that the process of dyeing fabric is highly toxic? Therefore, consider natural colors. Also, buy organic cotton clothing, thereby eliminating the use of toxic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
Fair Trade & Eco-Friendly Gifts, Coffee, Clothing
Buy fair trade clothing, accessories, coffee, tea and other fair trade goodies. Visit the Fair Trade Federation or Trans Fair for additional fair trade information. Also, use Co-op America's Business Network Directory to find green products.
Second Hand Shopping
Buying used goods is a fantastic idea to curb waste, while taking hold of a unique items and saving money. Indeed, you can find used and almost new products for a fraction of the cost of a new item. In addition, used items usually come without the packaging, another way to reduce waste and green the planet. So the next time you need to buy something, consider shopping at a thrift store, garage sale, eBay, Craigslist, local want ads, and other. You may be delightfully surprised with the price, product and one-of-a-kind gift for you or your loved one!
Health
Homeopathic medication is an eco-friendly alternative to over-the-counter medication. Not only are homeopathic treatments better for the body, they are also better for the environment as the production of drugs emits toxins, negatively impacting our water, soil, and air.
So these ideas, if applied, will help you become an eco-friendly, socially responsible, and savvy consumer!
Happy shopping and making a difference in and for the world at the same time!
Fair Trade: Equitable Empowerment for the Poor
Immigration, or border crossing, into the US is becoming a hot political issue. Republicans are intent upon closing the borders and enforcing immigration law, while democrats discuss guest worker programs and citizenship for illegal immigrants. Mexico and Central America account for 3/4 of the 12 million undocumented people in the US. To the shame of Mexico and other Central American countries, they fail to create enough jobs for the population. As a result, its citizens cross borders to work in the US to send money home to their families. Although both sides of the border must work on the issue of migration, Mexico and Central America must build a better economic situation so people don't feel the need to migrate the US.
Paul Rice, the founder and president of Transfair (the only fair trade certifying organization in the US), promotes fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate, bananas, rice, flowers, and other agricultural products from Mexico and other developing nations. Rice states that Transfair's goal is to to "give people the tools and market access to lift themselves out of poverty."
Globalization has increased trade and economic growth, but often the poor receive no benefit. A viable means for economic development in impoverished nations is fair trade, the equitable empowerment for the poor. Fair trade helps to make free trade more just for farmers and artisans living in poverty. When you buy fair trade products, including handcrafts, you can rest assured that the farmers and/or artisans are receiving a livable wage for their work.
With Valentine's Day coming, buy Globally Minded fair trade jewelry on Amazon and fair trade flowers for your loved ones!
Fair Trade Federation Approved our Application!
Excerpt from our acceptance email:
"Congratulations! I am delighted to welcome Globally Minded as a new member of the Fair Trade Federation. Your membership with FTF is an annual contract. FTF agrees to promote your business and your business agrees to adhere to each of our Fair Trade criteria. In accepting this membership, you're committing to following FTF's fair trade criteria in your business transactions. If you begin to work with any new suppliers, you are obligated to follow these same criteria, including establishing long-term rather than one-time trade partnerships, ensuring producers earn fair wages and have healthy working conditions, supporting environmental sustainability, and offering fair employment opportunities."
Globally Minded Fair Trade Contest for BloggersUnite!
So what are you doing for BloggersUnite?
Rules: 1) one gift per household, 2) post a comment our Globally Minded Blog between now and 12/24/07, 3) drawing will be held on on 12/26/07, 4) 5 winners will be selected and notified on 12/27/07, 5) winners will be highlighted in a future blog post, 6) names of the winners (and, if applicable, website/blog) will be required to disclose winners, 7) mailing addresses will be required so we can send your Globally Minded prize, 8) prizes will be shipped anywhere in the continental US via regular mail, 9) prizes are not necessarily shown in our catalogue, and 10) comment as much as you'd like (genuine comments only, no spamming).
Fair Trade = Globally Minded Ethical Sourcing
It was not until 1997 that I understood the difference between "free trade" and "fair trade". Don't confuse the two; they are radically different. When I first came to Guatemala and saw the gorgeous textiles and quality handcrafts, my capitalistic and opportunistic mentality kicked in. The low prices combined with my "gringa" bargaining power were intoxicating: I saw huge margins and profits. Taking care of the economic rights of the poor were shamefully far from me. However, soon the narcissistic infatuation with bargaining dissipated as I became more aware of the plight of the Guatemalan poor and the gross injustices committed against the Guatemalan artisans. Like many artisans in emerging markets, Guatemalan artisans are continuously oppressed by the incessant price negotiation and pushiness of greedy, capitalistic buyers. There is often no concern for the poor as self-absorbed buyers demand a cheaper and cheaper price.
Free trade promotes economic growth, often at the expense of the poor. Fair trade, on the other hand, promotes economic growth, empowering the poor through transparent and just trading relationships. Supporting and buying fair trade products really does improve the lives of artisans and farmers. Fair trade is the only ethical form of sourcing for globally minded, socially conscious buyers and consumers.
Globally Minded works with artisans in Guatemala to design and produce beautiful, fair trade, eco-friendly, handmade necklaces, bracelets and brooches. Buy our fair trade jewelry on Amazon for your loved one and save 10% until the end of 2007. Free Super Saver Shipping also available. We support artisans and children with every purchase. We give a portion of our profits to Globally Minded Works, to support education in Guatemala.
Start shopping for fair trade jewelry now and remember: buy fair and be globally minded all the time.
Globally Minded Jewelry on Sale at Amazon
Save 10% when you buy our Globally Minded jewelry on Amazon (thru 12/31/2007). Also, save even more money through FREE Super Saver Shipping! We give 15% of our profits to Globally Minded Works to support the education of children in Guatemala. Thanks in advance for buying Globally Minded fair trade jewelry. Happy shopping!
Globally Minded: Co-op America Green Business Network
It's official! Globally Minded is now a member of Co-op America's Green Business Network! We received our approval letter yesterday: "Your application to the Co-op America Business Network (CABN) has been approved. You are among CABN’s year 2008 progressive business leaders who are solving today’s tough social and environmental problems."
Thanks for joining us to make life better for all. Remember, the holidays are around the corner, so please remember to be globally minded and buy fair trade and socially responsible gifts for your loved ones!
If you are interested in joining Co-op America as an individual, you can do so here.
Globalization and Fair Trade
As a result of living and working in remote villages in Guatemala, I became keenly aware of the need for ethical sourcing, also known as empowering the poor through fair trade. We all know that globalization is making the world smaller, providing the opportunity for the developing world to more actively participate in global trade. What some don't know is that many products imported into the US are unethically sourced. What does unethical sourcing mean? In short, it is the concept of profits over people. Too often in the trade transaction we see businesses (large and small) demand lower and lower prices for a product, at the expense of the producers, farmers and communities where the product is sourced. Another way to look at it, in practical terms, is making money at the expense of human dignity: the utilization of child labor, poorly ventilated and lit facilities, use of known toxic chemicals, withholding pay or paying late, long working hours without breaks, and so forth.
Globally minded people care about those at "the bottom of the pyramid" and advocate for justice for the oppressed. It is the act of being a global citizen, knowing that we are all a part of the whole. We must take responsibility to ensure that people everywhere, in the US and the world, are treated with dignity and respect. Certainly, our world is far from utopia, however, we can and should make the world better by caring for the poor through ethical trading. Globally Minded is concerned for the rights of artisans in Guatemala; we care for the artisans and communities we support and abide by fair trade principles. Globalization and fair trade must go hand in hand to promote justice for all.
Support fair trade. Help the poor. Make a difference. Be globally minded.
Fair Trade: Treating Artisans with Dignity
Have you ever wondered where your bracelets, necklaces, accessories, gifts, household items and other products were made? Better yet, have you ever wondered who made them? Globalization has resulted in the outsourcing of production of goods and services to such countries as China, Thailand, India, Guatemala, Mexico and beyond - so that companies can seek a greater financial return. The love of money has sadly seduced many companies to cut their costs at the expense of human dignity. The treatment of artisans, workers, and employees anywhere must be monitored, evaluated and improved so that dignity, respect and value are nurtured. Have you ever considered that although cutting costs at the expense of human dignity may result in a short term financial increase, the long haul may be more costly? How you ask? Higher absenteeism, lower productivity, greater turnover, gossip. Indeed, the translation of financial losses goes on and on when there is an absence of value for people.
Let's be honest. Think of your own responses when you were treated unjustly versus when you were valued, appreciated and rewarded in the workplace. Feel the difference? We all like credit - monetary or other rewards - that validate our work and human-ness. So why do we treat employees, workers, and artisans overseas with such little concern or regard? Sadly, because many are short-sighted, valuing profit over people. The exciting news is that although globalization is making the world smaller and more competitive, more and more companies are embracing corporate social responsibility (CSR). CSR is a growing movement, radically challenging the course of old business methods, while championing for better stewardship of our environment and the ethical treatment of all workers - globally.
We've all heard of one of Jesus' saying to "treat others as you would have others treat you". This is true in every relationship, including business relationships. Globally Minded seeks to make the world a better place by treating its artisans through fair trade, or dignity and value. We only partner with organizations and cooperatives that value the treatment of its producers through fair trade business practices. Although we make sure that our producers are paid a fair wage, many of our producer groups are small and have not yet gone through the lengthy certification process. However, when you buy from Globally Minded you can have peace of mind because we honor our artisans with fair rewards. Indeed, we exist to improve lives, build more equitable communities through business and education, and to promote beauty and goodness through each purchase.