Fair Trade Links
Ecumenical and Interfaith Partners
MESA (www.ccc-cce.ca/mesa/english/index.htm) is a common table where Canadian, Mexican and US churches can share information on globalization and trade, analyze political and economic developments, and offer practical solutions for constructing an economy in the service of life in the Americas."
The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (www.e-alliance.ch/) is a new and broadly ecumenical network for international cooperation in advocacy on HIV/AIDS and global trade. More than 85 churches and church-related organizations have joined the Alliance by committing themselves to "speak out with one voice against injustice, to confront structures of power, practices and attitudes which deprive human beings of dignity and to offer alternative visions based on the Gospel".
The U.S. Interfaith Trade Justice Campaign, is working to mobilize
and facilitate an active engagement of faith communities in educational
activities, policy advocacy and Fair Trade efforts.
(www.tradejusticeusa.org/)
American Friends Service Committee (www.afsc.org/trade-matters/default.htm) Website includes information on the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas and the Central America Free Trade Agreement
Church of the Brethren Website for information on their fair trade coffee project (www.brethren.org/genbd/witness/Peace/EqualExchange.htm)
The Episcopal Church Economic Justice website (www.episcopalchurch.org/peace-justice/)
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Fair trade website – “Café: Stirring the Spirit Within" (www.womenoftheelca.org/cafe/issue001/internet_cafe.html)
Lutheran World Relief Website on fair trade advocacy (www.lwr.org/coffee/justice.asp)
Mennonite Central Committee (www.mcc.org/us/globalization/): Website on economic globalization. Website on MCC U.S. Coffee Project: www.mcc.org/us/washington/coffee/index.html
Presbyterian Church (USA) (www.pcusa.org/acswp/wwd/wwd-global.htm): Globalization and World Trade website includes links to several study guides prepared for denominational use in preparation for a possible resolution in 2004. The website of Presbyterian Hunger Program includes resources on fair trade coffee and sweat-free t-shirts: www.pcusa.org/pcusa/wmd/hunger/
United Church of Christ Economic globalization webpage www.ucc.org/justice/issues/globalization/
United Methodist Church “The UMCOR Coffee Project: Good Coffee for a Good Cause” http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/hunger/coffee.cfm
Other
U.S. Organizations& Coalitions
With City Kid Java, urban kids sell exotic, organic, and fairly traded coffees to raise money for their youth groups and schools. www.citykidjava.com
Equal Exchange was founded in 1986 to create a new approach to trade, one that includes informed consumers, honest and fair trade relationships and cooperative principles. www.equalexchange.com/
The Fair Trade Federation gives a state-by-state list of fair trade retail stores and resources. www.fairtradefederation.com/
Global Exchange offers a wealth of resources, information, and opportunities for any Fair Trade cause. www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/
SERRV International’s Certified Fair Trade “Gifts that Make a Difference.” www.serrv.org/
TransFair USA promotes Fair Trade Certified products in the United States. www.transfairusa.org/
Ten Thousand Villages sells fairly traded handicrafts from around the world. Jewelry, art, tableware, rugs, toys, instruments, and great information.www.tenthousandvillages.com
The Citizens Trade Campaign is a national coalition of environmental, labor, consumer, family farm, religious, and other civil society groups. www.citizenstrade.org/
People's Consultation Activist center, calendar, resolutions, and information focused on the FTAA. http://peoplesconsultation.org/
International Campaigns & Programs
Global Week of Action www.april2005.org
Christian Aid, UK /www.christianaid.org.uk/campaign/index.htm
Trade Justice Movement, UK www.tradejusticemovement.org.uk/
Kairos: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Ministries www.kairoscanada.org/e/economic/trade/index.asp
Trade and Investment Programme, Ecumenical Service for Socioeconomic Transformation, South Africa www.esset.org.za/
Government & Business Interest
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) www.ustr.gov/
The World Trade Organization (WTO) www.wto.org/
Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) www.ftaa-alca.org/
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) www.nafta-sec-alena.org/
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) www.agoa.gov/
More Trade-Related Readings
- Christian Aid, UK:
Trade for life: making trade work for poor people November 2001
Book from Christian Aid, November 2001 Mark Curtis.
www.christian-aid.org.uk/indepth/0111trbk/t4life.htm
Download book as PDF (1.25Mb):
www.christian-aid.org.uk/indepth/0111trbk/Trade_for_Life.pdf
- Lifting the burden, weighting the rules: faith foundations
for the Trade Justice Campaign
This booklet explores the Christian and biblical basis of the Trade Justice Campaign. It examines what Christians believe about poverty, trade and campaigning, concluding with an urgent call for action to change God's world. Essential reading for church campaigners and a valuable resource for planning Bible studies, talks or sermons.
Download as PDF (271KB): www.christian-aid.org.uk/campaign/trade/0305trade_theology.pdf
- Episcopal Church
Diamond Mines in Sierra Leone, Resolution, June 18, 2002 http://arc.episcopalchurch.org/peace-justice/resolution_21.asp
- Urge Improved Diplomatic Relations Between U.S. and Cuba,
Resolution, 1991 www.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts_new/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=1991-D021
- Request Restoration of Diplomatic Relations Between the
U.S. and Cuba, Resolution, 2000 www.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts_new/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=2000-C045
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor, A Social Statement on health, healing, and health care adopted August 11-17, 2003 www.elca.org/socialstatements/health/
- Sufficient,
Sustainable Livelihood for All, A Social
Statement on economic life adopted August 1999 www.elca.org/socialstatements/economiclife/
- Lutheran
World Relief – Office of Public Policy
AIDS in Africa: Affordable Access to Quality Medicines www.lwr.org/advocacy/africa/afadv2.pdf
- Mennonite Central Committee
Biblical Values and Principles for Global Economic Policies
www.mcc.org/economicglobalization/values/
- Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
On Opposing the Free Trade Area of the Americas in Its Current Form, May 2003 www.pcusa.org/ga215/business/overtures/ovt0333.pdf
- United Church of Christ
UCC Coffee Project www.ucc.org/justice/issues/coffee-project/
- Fact
sheet for Strong Roots, Fragile Farms www.ucc.org/fragile-farms/
- Justice
and Peace Action Network: Issues briefing book 2002 www.ucc.org/justice/book02.htm
- Worldwide
movement rallies against ‘tyranny’ of
free trade, June 2001 www.ucc.org/ucnews/jun01/tyranny.htm
- United Methodist Church
United Methodist Women’s Division Speaks Out on Trade Issues, April 24, 2001 http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/newsreleases/trade.htm
- Video: WTO:
In Whose Hands, a 20-minute video
and study guide, $5.00 http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/wto.html
- Women and Trade: Waking Up in Seattle, by Marilyn Clement http://gbgm-umc.org/Response/articles/wto.html
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