The Brussels-based Fair Trade Advocacy Office and UNCTAD are joining forces to improve the living and working conditions of artisans, workers and smallholder farmers and producers in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The two organizations, which have both been calling for a more equitable trading system for decades, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 19 October in Madrid.
Many people use the term “fair trade”, but what does it actually mean? Today, more than 250 organizations around the world are uniting to launch an International Fair Trade Charter that sets down the fundamental values of Fair Trade and defines a common vision towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Fair Trade Movement warmly congratulates Ghent on being awarded today the first ‘EU City for Fair and Ethical Trade Award’ by the European Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström. Congratulations are extended also to Dortmund, Saarbrücken, Lyon and Madrid who received special mentions for education and co mmunity participation, inspiring procurement practice, innovation and global partnerships respectively.
27 June (16:30-18:00) – 28 June (9:00-16:00)
European Committee of the Regions (Brussels, Van Maerlant Building)
Please note – if you can´t make it to the full conference, you are most welcome to join the Picture Opportunity and the Fair Trade cocktail on the evening of 27 June, to celebrate the first edition of the EU Cities for Fair and Ethical Trade Award with Members of the European Parliament and the Fair Trade movement and supporters. (Please register via the link below).
A broad coalition consisting of AIM, CEJA, Copa and Cogeca, EFFAT, Fair Trade Advocacy Office (FTAO), FoodDrinksEurope, and Oxfam International has sent a call to the European Commission demanding that “Now is the time for action to combat unfair trading practices”.