The Fair Trade Organization (FTO) Mark
Successfully Launched in Mumbai
The
new Fair Trade Organisation (FTO) Mark
was successfully launched from Dharavi in central Mumbai, India, the
biggest slum area in Asia with some 700,000 inhabitants – many of whom
joined in the celebrations. Fair Traders, social activists, officials,
celebrities and well-wishers gathered to introduce the new FTO Mark to
the world. This is the first Global Mark for Fair Trade Organizations
to be used in both the North and the South.
The
Mark recognizes and unites Fair Trade Organizations, enabling them to
campaign for Trade Justice with greater power. The Mark is supported by
a global definition of a Fair Trade Organization as defined by FINE*
(“Fair Trade Organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in
supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes
in the rules and practice of international Trade”
Dec.2001).
It is underpinned by global Fair Trade standards and monitoring.
The
Fair Trade Organization Mark was developed by the International Fair
Trade Association (IFAT) and is available to IFAT members meeting the
requirements of the IFAT standards and monitoring system. Already 130
IFAT members in 42 countries have been through the monitoring process
and are registered to use the Mark. IFAT members include Fair Trade
marketing organizations across the world and producer associations in
Latin America, Africa and Asia. The FTO Mark is a global mark that can
be used in the all the 59 countries in which IFAT has members. It
distinguishes Fair Trade Organizations from
other commercial organizations that are involved in Fair Trade through
the purchase of products labeled under the FLO certification system.
It is a Mark to identify Fair Trade Organizations. It is not a product
label.
The
new Mark was unveiled in Mumbai piece by piece. Celebrities (including
Gilda Ferrat of The European Council and Mahesh Bhatt film producer)
assembled the Mark in the form of a giant jigsaw puzzle! The programme
of activities included an update from Joachim Arputham, (Magsaysay Award
Winner and President of the National Slum Dwellers Federation of India)
on the activities in Dharavi. The programme concluded with the reading
of the Fair Trade message by Carola Reintjes of IDEAS, a member of the
International Council of The World Social Forum,
Quote: “International
trade far too often allows the strong to exploit the weak, and the rich
to become richer at the expense of the poor. The result is poverty and
suffering on a huge scale. That must change. That is why we are
launching our Mark and setting on our global journey for Fair Trade and
Trade Justice.”
The Global Journey then started, the banner carrying the FTO Mark, accompanied by the Trade Justice banner has begun its journey around the world taking the Fair Trade message of justice for all to more than 50 countries. There was an Elephant to lead the journey out of Dharavi and street plays along the route, but it was sent home by the police for disturbing the traffic. The first stop for the banner is at the Asha Handicrafts Association.
NOTE: IFAT is working with FLO (Fair Trade Labelling Organizations International) to develop a system for labeling non-food Fair Trade products, in particular handcrafts, that will significantly expand the market for such products, in particular for small-scale producers, with the ultimate aim of substantial additional impact in terms of empowerment and sustainable development. We expect to make further announcements on these developments at the end of 2004.
19th Jan 2004
IFAT GLOBAL JOURNEY MESSAGE
(As read out on 19th January 2004)
It’s
wonderful to see so many people here. Thank you so much for
joining us.
Today we are starting a journey. A journey for Fair Trade and Trade Justice.
Not justice for the few. Justice for all.
At the moment, international trade far, far too often allows the strong to exploit the weak. The rich to become richer at the expense of the poor. Profits for multinational corporations are considered more important than decent working conditions and fair pay for people.
The result is poverty and suffering on a huge scale.
That must change. That’s why we’re here.
That’s why we’re launching our Mark and setting out today on a Global Journey for Fair Trade and Trade Justice.
The Mark you see here (indicate) is a symbol for that justice. It is the Global Mark for Fair Trade Organizations to be used in both the South and the North. The Mark recognizes and unites Fair Trade Organizations, enabling them to campaign for Trade Justice with greater power.
Fair Trade Organizations care for people. We work together in a partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect.
We offer fair trading conditions to producers and farmers.
We help them to secure their basic rights.
When you see this Mark you will know that the organization using it is registered as a Fair Trade Organization with IFAT, the International Fair Trade Association.
To be registered as a Fair Trade Organization you must prove that you:
-
trade honestly
-
pay a fair price
-
work with people who are marginalised
-
exchange and build skills
-
promote greater equality and empowerment for all
-
protect children’s rights
-
respect the environment
We are taking this message and our banner round the world to tell everyone, everywhere, that we truly believe that a better world really is possible.
We, Fair Trade Organisations are united in our fight against poverty and for fairer world trading rules. We work together, determined to overcome the injustice that threatens the very future of our planet. We are taking this message and our banner around the world to tell everyone everywhere that we truly believe that another world is possible. Be with us! Speak out for trade justice! Support Fair Trade!
Launching of the Fair Trade Organization Mark
At
the World Social Forum at Mumbai, India in January 2003, the world-wide
launch of the FAIR TRADE ORGANIZATION MARK
will take place. Celebrities supporting Fair Trade will launch the Mark
at a special
ceremony, to which the press will be invited. They will
then start the Global journey, by accompanying it on foot for the first
leg of the journey, the journey will then continue over India and then
on over 50 countries of the world across Asia,
the
Pacific Rim, Australasia, North and South America, Africa and Europe.
Setting off from one of the poorest districts in Mumbai, members of the International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT) will carry a banner all the way around the world. There will also be a message, which will be read out by well-known champions of Fair Trade as it is carried from country to country. These champions will be photographed with the banner in prominent venues as it travels around the world. There will be a supporting website that follows the journey and the images will be posted on it.
The message will be one of support for the poor and will promote the ideals of Fair Trade in supporting poor and marginalised producers and calling for greater equity in international trade.
IFAT has over 200 members worldwide, from producers through to retailers - Koperattiva Kummerċ Ġust has been a member of IFAT since 1999. These members will carry the banner on its global journey, on foot, by bicycle and by public transport.
Fair Trade Organizations all over the world will be able to display the FAIR TRADE ORGANIZATION MARK, to show that they believe in the principles of Fair Trade.
In order to use the Mark, organizations will have to demonstrate that they are following the IFAT (International Federation for Alternative Trade) standards for Fair Trade Organizations in their day to day work and will have to agree to a strict system of monitoring by IFAT.
What is a Fair Trade Organization?
The internationally accepted definition of a Fair Trade Organization is as follows:
"Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South.
Fair Trade Organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of conventional trade."
The
International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT) has more than 200
members in 59 countires worldwide, encompassing approximately 1 million
people. Some members have worked in Fair Trade for over 40 years. These
Fair Trade Organizations are: local businesses and organizations working
for Fair Trade, from producers through to retailers. The Fair Trade
definition above was developed by FINE (Fair Trade Labelling
Oranisation, IFAT, Network of European World Shops, and European Fair
Trade Association). IFAT have expanded the definition of a Fair Trade
Organization and have agreed upon 9 rigorous standards which they must
follow in their day to day work.
Fair Trade Organizations that follow the 9 standards and are registered by IFAT may use the FAIR TRADE ORGANIZATION MARK on websites, catalogues and promotional literature. In return for the right to use the Mark, the Fair Trade Organization must agree to adhere to IFAT's strict monitoring system. IFAT will carry out continuous monitoring of Fair Trade Organizations, to ensure they continue to follow the 9 standards.
IFAT December, 2003
