WFTO celebrated World Fair Trade day with human chains for change

On 14 May 2016, it was World Fair Trade Day. This is an initiative of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)that takes place on the second Saturday of May of each year. It is an inclusive worldwide festival of events celebrating Fair Trade as a tangible contribution to the fight against poverty and exploitation, climate change and the economic crisis that have the greatest impact on the world’s most vulnerable populations. The global crisis confirms the need for a fair and sustainable economy locally and globally. Trade must benefit the most vulnerable and deliver sustainable livelihoods by developing opportunities for small and disadvantaged producers. Millions of producers and traders, businesses and policy-makers, supporting organizations and volunteers have contributed to the substantial growth of Fair Trade globally.

For that occasion, WFTO encouraged all supporters, buyers and consumers of Fair Trade to form a human chain. The Fair Trade Day was not only for fair traders. It was for everyone who believes in positive change through Fair Trade. This day was to highlight Fair Trade as a tangible contribution in eradicating poverty and trade injustices, and as a tool for economic empowerment of the marginalised.

WFTO members led this celebration. More than 350 organisations in over 70 countries across the globe celebrated Fair Trade and formed human chains to show their Agents for Change.

“Here, in the refugee frontiers of Thailand, we celebrate Fair Trade because it empowers refugees displaced by conflict and wars. We show our producers, who are the very people making a difference in their lives and communities. They are our Agents for Change and we are proud to be part of a growing movement. We form a human chain in solidarity with fair traders and Fair Trade supporters around the world” Mitos Urgel, WEAVE Thailand.

WFTO encouraged people to organize a World Fair Trade Day Event and to use their webapp to spread their human chain photo among social networks using the hashtags #FairTradeDay and #AgentForChange.

In Brussels, a Fair Trade Fashion Show was organized to celebrate the day. It was actually the second edition of the fashion show. This was the occasion to get to see ethical clothes collection and also to participate in a charity auction at the end of the show.

Also read the full WFTO Press release.