Globalization and Fair Trade
November 17, 2007 | Category: Fair Trade
By Kat Vaughan
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.
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.
|