Is Fair Trade really fair?

The Green Chamber are putting together a networking opportunity for Brighton and Hove Green businesses.

‘Why Fair Trade? Is it fair?’ is the next event held by the Green Collective from Brighton Chamber and is in partnership with Fair Trade Brighton and Hove. It is a great opportunity for green and sustainable businesses across the city to meet new people, network and enjoy themselves. Chair of the collective, Danni Craker will be interviewing three experts in the Fair Trade business, getting to the important issues that surround Fair Trade.

The Green Chamber Collective is a group of like-minded businesses from across the city, brought together with their passion to create a sustainable city. The collective is hugely diverse, with members from profit-making businesses, charities, social enterprises, energy and even fashion.

The events held by the collective are fantastic opportunities to network and meet the various sectors but all with a common goal. They strongly believe that a sustainable business encompasses economic and social responsibilities as well as environmental.

This is why the topic of Fair Trade will be a tough one. With the collective typically pursuing sustainability, looking at Fair Trade options could be seen as undermining their usual goals.

‘Why Fair Trade? Is it fair?’ will be looking at the tough questions surrounding Fair trade with plenty of time for the audience to ask their own too. It is a relaxed ‘couch interview’ event, one of questioning, learning and interacting. Danni Craker and Bryan Van Namen will be asking; Is Fair Trade really fair? How does Fair Trade benefit your business? Can you actually make money out of Fair Trade? Is it better to buy local or Fair Trade?

The three guests each have their own impressive backgrounds in Fair Trade.

Siobhan Wilson sells Fair Trade products made in Kolkata, India. Originally from America, she opened FAIR in 2008, an ethical clothing and home ware shop in Brighton after working with two refugee organisations. FAIR was set up to sell products created from a farmers involved in a previous project she set up with 11 NGO’s in 2005. FAIR has been shortlisted for the Best Independent Boutique in the Global Source Award and currently work with 13 local charities and businesses, generating income in Asia, Africa and South America as well as 15 national Fair Trade brands. In 2012 FAIR was recognised as one of the first 100 pioneers of change in the Global Fashion industry as one of the few independent boutiques offering clothing whose source could be fully disclosed and working towards global economic equality through Fair Trade ethics.

Christine Gent MCSD, MA is a designer and expert on Fair Trade craftwork. Fairly Covered is her Brighton based business. She currently advises PeopleTree and is working on two Fair Trade projects, one with DFID and one with Brighton University. Christine has a lengthy CV, having worked for WFTO, IRIS, a European network for sustainable business, the Body Shop as Ethical Trade Development Manager and as a consultant for the UN and Fair trade since 1986. Christine has worked across the Indian sub-continent, Central America and Asia with suppliers on product development and production planning and has just finished working with Pakka, a Swiss company, on the Geo Fair Trade project.

Christine says: "We work in a globalised trading system where almost every transaction impacts others around the world.  Fair Trade is about being conscious about the most marginalised in our trading activities and following a set of guidelines which enables us to proactively engage in working with specific grass roots communities.  Every business has an  opportunity to work with Fair Trade come and learn what that might be?"

Jamie Lloyd launched the VELECO brand in October 2012, sustainable and Fair Trade cycle wear. He has set up The Fair Corporation Ltd to distribute Fair Trade sports balls in the UK, which he originally set up with Dr. Martin Kunz. They started Fair Deal Trading in the UK to import Fair Trade certified footballs  going to produce the world’s first Fair Trade certified trainers and set up fair trade rubber projects in India and Sri Lanka.

To book your place visit http://whyfairtrade.eventbrite.co.uk/# or call 01273 719097

By Rozie Apps, student at Brighton Journalist Works

@Veil_of_Rozie



 

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