Learn more about Fair Trade

Children selling candy in a small town east of Yangoon, Burma.

Photo: Peter Williams/WCC

An Interfaith Statement on International Trade and Investment

The Interfaith Working Group on Trade and Investment includes representatives of a broad spectrum of religious institutions and faith-based organizations in the United States including Church World Service. We believe that international trade and investment policies and practices present a serious moral challenge because of their profound effect upon the lives of people around the world and upon creation.

Consequently, the Working Group seeks to encourage and facilitate deeper involvement by communities of faith in the public debate on trade and investment policies. The development of these principles is a first step towards that goal. The principles have two purposes: to help people analyze and critique trade and investment policies and then envision more just and sustainable alternatives.

Read the Interfaith Principles (PDF file, 100 kb)

What is Fair Trade?

Fair Trade involves the following principles:

Producers receive a fair price - a living wage. For commodities, farmers receive a stable, minimum price.
Forced labor and exploitative child labor are not allowed
Buyers and producers trade under direct long-term relationships
Producers have access to financial and technical assistance
Sustainable production techniques are encouraged
Working conditions are healthy and safe
Equal employment opportunities are provided for all
All aspects of trade and production are open to public accountability

Fair Trade commodities are certified by non-profit organizations in 17 different countries, all of which are affiliated with Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International. Fair Trade Certified commodities bear the seal of the certifying agency, providing a guarantee that fair trade practices were followed.

In the US, an organization called TransFair USA certifies coffee, cocoa, and tea (see our Links page for more information). The Fair Trade coffee system benefits over 350,000 farmers organized into over 300 cooperatives in 22 countries. The Fair Trade cocoa system benefits over 42,000 farmers organized into eight cooperatives in eight different countries. Fair Trade has helped farmers earn enough income to provide for their families' basic needs and invest in community development. However, these farmers are still selling most of their crop outside of the Fair Trade system because not enough companies are buying at Fair Trade prices. Help increase the demand for Fair Trade among companies, retailers, and consumers!

Fair Trade handcrafts are purchased through a number of different Alternative Trading networks, such as the Fair Trade Federation and the International Federation for Alternative Trade.

Fair Trade provides a sustainable model of international trade based on economic justice. It means an equitable and fair partnership between consumers in the Global North and producers in the Global South -- and is an alternative to sweatshop production. Please join us in supporting Fair Trade and using our consumer power to create a better world for all!

What do the scales symbolize?

The world’s in the balance:

The global Trade Justice Movement has adopted the symbol of the unbalanced scales. Scales are recognized as a symbol of trade but also as a symbol of justice. The unbalanced scale highlights the imbalance of global trade today. The person at the center is a sign of hope – it is people, taking action in solidarity together. In this way we can bring about change.

Learn More • Jubilee Debt Relief • Fair Trade Products • Fair Trade Petition • Related Links