The emergence and continued growth of fair trade as a social and economic movement has been a breath of fresh air for many of us.
While this movement still represents a small percentage of the global marketplace it has a very significant message, and, consequently, a huge potential.
With this in mind it is well worth our time to consider the future of this movement, paying special attention to the ways we might continue to improve the organization and image of fair trade overall.
As we near the middle of the second decade of the current millennium we are faced with indisputable evidence of impending environmental and social crises.
Movements must, therefore, address these potential crises with forethought and depth.
Since fair trade relies upon conscientious involvement of consumers and producers there is implicitly more depth involved than other approaches that ignore social and cultural consequences.
People engage in this movement because they believe in it.
The consequences are too severe if we do not address environmental, social and cultural issues in the entire world.
The reliance on cheap factory produced goods has enabled a hyper-consumer culture with little regard for the impending crises before us.
The power of this movement is that it is a conscious statement by all investors to halt the march toward blind consumerism.
Placing value on the means of production, compensating workers fairly, upholding traditional techniques and protecting the environment are stated clearly in principles and standards.
Certifying organizations maintain the integrity of the certification designation by insisting that such standards are met.
Looking to the future, we can ask if fair trade could possibly become a concept without need for certifying organizations.
The likelihood of this appears quite low at this time, but it is still worth considering what it would take to achieve this.
First of all, the values outlined in fair trade certification would need to be so widely accepted that certifying organizations would not be necessary.
Imagine if our political systems were able to take on the role currently occupied by these certifying organizations.
Would we see a more potent movement, or a duller, more watered down version sapping energy from the movement? Another useful question is whether the movement can gain more momentum with each new generation.
Our success goes hand in hand with our success in promoting deeper critical thinking in our education and child raising overall.
We need to promote deeper thinking about the world to our children, students, coworkers, friends and acquaintances.
We are required to take the movement seriously enough so that it can grow to its potential.
While this movement still represents a small percentage of the global marketplace it has a very significant message, and, consequently, a huge potential.
With this in mind it is well worth our time to consider the future of this movement, paying special attention to the ways we might continue to improve the organization and image of fair trade overall.
As we near the middle of the second decade of the current millennium we are faced with indisputable evidence of impending environmental and social crises.
Movements must, therefore, address these potential crises with forethought and depth.
Since fair trade relies upon conscientious involvement of consumers and producers there is implicitly more depth involved than other approaches that ignore social and cultural consequences.
People engage in this movement because they believe in it.
The consequences are too severe if we do not address environmental, social and cultural issues in the entire world.
The reliance on cheap factory produced goods has enabled a hyper-consumer culture with little regard for the impending crises before us.
The power of this movement is that it is a conscious statement by all investors to halt the march toward blind consumerism.
Placing value on the means of production, compensating workers fairly, upholding traditional techniques and protecting the environment are stated clearly in principles and standards.
Certifying organizations maintain the integrity of the certification designation by insisting that such standards are met.
Looking to the future, we can ask if fair trade could possibly become a concept without need for certifying organizations.
The likelihood of this appears quite low at this time, but it is still worth considering what it would take to achieve this.
First of all, the values outlined in fair trade certification would need to be so widely accepted that certifying organizations would not be necessary.
Imagine if our political systems were able to take on the role currently occupied by these certifying organizations.
Would we see a more potent movement, or a duller, more watered down version sapping energy from the movement? Another useful question is whether the movement can gain more momentum with each new generation.
Our success goes hand in hand with our success in promoting deeper critical thinking in our education and child raising overall.
We need to promote deeper thinking about the world to our children, students, coworkers, friends and acquaintances.
We are required to take the movement seriously enough so that it can grow to its potential.
SHARE
