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Fair Trade is a term that is often used in the green community, and you have probably seen your favorite organic chocolate, coffee, tea, etc. labeled as fair trade certified. The concept behind fair trade is simple: to create a sustainable and just global economic system through fair trade (Fair Trade Federation). This goal is accomplished by supporting seven principles identified by the Fair Trade Federation:

1. Fair wages in a local context,
2. Participatory workplaces,
3. Environmental sustainability,
4. Financial and Technical Support,
5. Consumer education,
6. Respect for cultural identity, and
7. Public accountability.

As consumers in a “developed” nation, most of our goods are produced overseas. Fair trade targets these exports from developing countries to North America and Europe. As a parent, I become especially appalled when I hear about products manufactured by children in unsafe working conditions, such as Gap Kids clothing made by children in third world countries. Fair trade certification gives the consumer some peace of mind that children were not exploited in the production of the goods they are purchasing. Fortunately, fair trade is moving beyond coffee, chocolate, and tea to encompass toys, sports equipment, musical instruments, clothing, etc. for children.

In 1996, Life Magazine published an article about child labor in Pakistan titled “The SLAVE CHILDREN Who Make Our Kids’ Toys.” The article featured a 12-year-old boy who stitched soccer balls all day long for 60 cents a day, which sparked an international movement to boycott Nike products. Children as young as four and five years of age were involved in the production of soccer balls, most of which are produced in Pakistan. Nike has since ceased buying soccer balls from Saga Sports of Pakistan causing the unemployment of 14,000 people. The situation for child laborers in other countries are not better; however, fair trade soccer balls are now available!

Washington based Fair Trade Sports offers gear and apparel made by adults earning fair wages in healthy working conditions in Pakistan. The latex used in the production of the balls is Forest Stewardship Council certified, guaranteeing the latex comes from an appropriately managed forest in India. In addition, all after-tax profits go to children’s charities around the world. Buy purchasing Fair Trade Sports products, “Together we can break this cycle of poverty and oppression.”

Alicia Erickson of Green Options has written extensively on fair trade issues. She owns and operates Two Hands Worldshop, which offers many beautifully crafted fair trade goods. As Alicia explains, “Children are deeply affected by unfair trade policies. They become trapped in the cycle of poverty with little to no access to healthcare or education. Children in poor households are forced to work simply to eat. The World Fair Trade Day website claims ‘Coffee, cocoa (chocolate), bananas, oranges and sugar are among the food sectors that most exploit child labour.’ Most of these products have a Fair Trade alternative.”

Educating consumers is one of the principles of fair trade, and our children are consumers too. There are many resources available on the web to help teach your child about the importance of fair trade. Marilyn Anderson has created a coloring book guide for teachers and parents to help children better understand fair trade. Global Exchange provides a list of action steps for families to take to promote education and social justice for all, as well as K-12 curricula to bring fair trade into the classroom. In addition, Oxfam’s Cool Planet for Teachers provides a lesson plan on fair trade for children ages 7-12, including Fair Trade Stories. Learning about fair trade not only benefits our children, but the world’s children will profit too.

Editor’s Note: A big tip o’ the cap to Jennifer Lance, who is participating in a Green article swap between GNMParents and Green Options. Jennifer is a regular over at Green Options, a great site which succeeds in their efforts to “provide a place where you can sort out the flash from the trash, and make informed decisions that allow you to live a responsible, healthy and abundant life.” GNMParents contributor, Heike, will have her article posted at this Green Options link. Thanks for visiting, Jennifer!

[tags]parenting, kids, a little greener, child labor, fair trade[/tags]
Photo graciously provided by J e n n i f e r_ L e, through a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved