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The fortnight we have all been waiting for has finally arrived! Fair trade Fortnight, a 2 week period designed to promote awareness of ethical consumerism began this weekend. I'm celebrating this week by packing my bags and heading to Adelaide and Brisbane to meet with VGenners and attend their STIR sessions on ethical consumerism. I can't wait! VGenners across the country have been running events and initiatives in their community to raise awareness of ethical consumerism and human trafficking - the successes of the campaign indicate that local action by VGenners across Australia is having a positive impact - and therefore there really are glimmers of hope from the grassroots in regards to the Don't Trade Lives campaign!
I've been working with my Vision Group (which consists of some of
I've been working with my Vision Group (which consists of some of
my best mates who I happen to play netball with) on Fair-trading the supply chain at our local netball association. You may recall that we approached them late last year about ordering their next lot of netballs from Etiko, a company that specialises in fair trade balls. They agreed!! The official launch of the Etiko balls was last night - and the netball ladies were not only impressed with the ethics behind the balls, but the balls' ability to bounce! Apparently these balls have great grip too. haha I must ring Etiko and let them know!!
Did you know that your local council could be part of the fair trade campaign too? You may have met with your local federal MP already - but have you contacted your council? I hadn't until just recently...and after being inspired by the efforts of VGenners in Adelaide and Sydney to fair trade their councils, I was very inspired! Check out the Fair Trade Association to find out how you can influence your council to be part of the campaign. I'm only just beginning to meet with councillors...but so far, so good!!
There have been some very exciting developments as far as World Vision's Don't Trade Lives campaign is concerned. Susan Mizrahi, the campaign leader for the Don’t Trade Lives campaign said that many of these recent developments can be attributed both directly and indirectly to the committed and ongoing campaign efforts of VGen/World Vision campaigners….
Rainforest Alliance with Mars - your favourite chocolate bar is getting ethical!
Like Fairtrade certification, Rainforest Alliance has a "do not harm" philosophy and certifies against child labour. Fairtrade is a stronger scheme as it pays farmers a premium for their commodity and uses democratic structures, like cooperatives, to empower the farmers. Still, we classify Rainforest Alliance certified chocolate as "ethical chocolate" so it's a very positive development. Check it out here.
Coles & Cocolo
In early April, Cocolo advised that Coles have requested stock of Cocolo Fairtrade Chocolate for all their stores. With Coles being the only retail member of the CMA and a target of the DTL campaign in recent months, this is excellent news! Coles will stock two varieties in all 750 stores and four varieties in 400 of its stores. For a small Fairtrade company like Cocolo, this is a massive deal and one which they seek to meet by May/June 2009. Cocolo attributed Coles’ decision directly to the DTL campaign.
Cadbury Australia (update)
Cadbury Australia has been sending out the message that "it’s a matter of when and not if" they will transition their products here to the Fairtrade system.
City of Adelaide – fair trade council!
Adelaide City Council has become the first Fairtrade Council in South Australia and the first Capital City Council in Australia to officially embrace Fairtrade principals as a direct result of lobbying through the Don't Trade Lives campaign.
What is your story? Share with everyone your fair trade story!
Did you know that your local council could be part of the fair trade campaign too? You may have met with your local federal MP already - but have you contacted your council? I hadn't until just recently...and after being inspired by the efforts of VGenners in Adelaide and Sydney to fair trade their councils, I was very inspired! Check out the Fair Trade Association to find out how you can influence your council to be part of the campaign. I'm only just beginning to meet with councillors...but so far, so good!!
There have been some very exciting developments as far as World Vision's Don't Trade Lives campaign is concerned. Susan Mizrahi, the campaign leader for the Don’t Trade Lives campaign said that many of these recent developments can be attributed both directly and indirectly to the committed and ongoing campaign efforts of VGen/World Vision campaigners….
Rainforest Alliance with Mars - your favourite chocolate bar is getting ethical!
Like Fairtrade certification, Rainforest Alliance has a "do not harm" philosophy and certifies against child labour. Fairtrade is a stronger scheme as it pays farmers a premium for their commodity and uses democratic structures, like cooperatives, to empower the farmers. Still, we classify Rainforest Alliance certified chocolate as "ethical chocolate" so it's a very positive development. Check it out here.
Coles & Cocolo
In early April, Cocolo advised that Coles have requested stock of Cocolo Fairtrade Chocolate for all their stores. With Coles being the only retail member of the CMA and a target of the DTL campaign in recent months, this is excellent news! Coles will stock two varieties in all 750 stores and four varieties in 400 of its stores. For a small Fairtrade company like Cocolo, this is a massive deal and one which they seek to meet by May/June 2009. Cocolo attributed Coles’ decision directly to the DTL campaign.
Cadbury Australia (update)
Cadbury Australia has been sending out the message that "it’s a matter of when and not if" they will transition their products here to the Fairtrade system.
City of Adelaide – fair trade council!
Adelaide City Council has become the first Fairtrade Council in South Australia and the first Capital City Council in Australia to officially embrace Fairtrade principals as a direct result of lobbying through the Don't Trade Lives campaign.
What is your story? Share with everyone your fair trade story!
cheers,
Alana @ VGen HQ
1 comments:
That's such a great idea Alana. I'm going to see if my rugby team can do the same with their balls! Forest rugby here we come!
I also managed to lobby my local council - Warringah; and they passed the motion this week to work towads becoming an accredited Fair Trade Council so this will fit in perfectly!
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