Upload
mitch-teberg
View
220
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
8/3/2019 Fair Trade, Empowerment and Human Rights
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/fair-trade-empowerment-and-human-rights 1/4
Mitch Teberg, MAAssociate Member
World Fair Trade Organization:
Fair Trade, Empowerment and Human Rights
1 December 2011
"Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of
residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. We areall equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated,
interdependent and indivisible" - UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Examine the Principles of Fair Trade and it quickly
becomes apparent the intention of Fair Trade is to
EMPOWER disadvantaged producers and their
communities. The principles reflect business practices
free from exploitation; are based on respect for universal
human rights, women's rights, child rights, minority and
migrant rights, rights of the disabled, and labour rights;
embrace gender equality; and incorporate
environmentally sound practices. However, the factremains that for many of our producers their rights are not
well known; the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
remains an abstract idea, an international convention far
from their immediate reality.
When our producers are unaware of their rights, there is opportunity for exploitation. In the field
of International Development, programs and projects are often designed to target root causes.
One increasingly popular approach is a Rights-Based Approach (RBA) which recognizes
poverty as injustice and includes marginalization, discrimination, and exploitation as central
causes.
As Fair Trade supporters and advocates, it is nice to believe that we are leading the way in
making ethical consumer choices a reality in the global marketplace. Admittedly, many of our
producers reside in countries which are not well known for upholding those rights. However,
unless we support our producers with knowledge of their rights, we fail to follow the principles of
Fair Trade. Look at this from the perspective of our producers:
8/3/2019 Fair Trade, Empowerment and Human Rights
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/fair-trade-empowerment-and-human-rights 2/4
Mitch Teberg, MAAssociate Member
Fair Trade is a partnership, not a charity. As set out in our shared Principles, Fair Trade
importers, wholesalers, buyers, and retailers are required to provide for the development of
producer groups in order that they are empowered, self-sufficient trade partners capable of
conducting international trade in ways which are beneficial to them and their community freefrom any form of exploitation. To integrate a Rights-Based Approach is to strengthen our trade
partners not only in trade relations, but in their quality of life; to enjoy the freedoms
internationally recognized as inherent to all human beings. Taking a closer look at our Shared
Principles we see that our principles are based on UN Human Rights Declarations and
Conventions, and the ILO Conventions. For a comprehensive analysis read Journey for Fair
Trade: Human Rights Framework.
Saturday, December 10, 2011 is Human Rights Day (http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Pages/WelcomePage.aspx).
This year, let’s make it a point as a global Fair Trade movement, to not only join the celebration,
but integrate a Rights-Based Approach into Fair Trade; Join together in an effort to raise
awareness of Universal Human Rights with our trade partners and their communities!
Here is an idea for Fair Traders regardless of where you reside – empower your trade partners
directly: the United Nations has translated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into 131
languages. Download and print a copy in the language of your trade partner, take an extra step
8/3/2019 Fair Trade, Empowerment and Human Rights
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/fair-trade-empowerment-and-human-rights 3/4
Mitch Teberg, MAAssociate Member
to creatively decorate it, and mail it to them. What a great way to personalize your trade
relationship:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/UDHR/Pages/SearchByLang.aspx.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has been translated into 58 languages
and is available from UNICEF on their child-friendly page. UNICEF has made the CRC available
in an easy to read English poster which is quite colorful and attractive. If you have trade
partners whose first language is not English, download a copy and take the extra step to print it
out in their language on a poster size paper, decorate and laminate it, and mail it to them! What
a terrific way to let them know you support and care for their children:
http://www.unicef.org/magic/briefing/uncorc.html
To advocate for a Rights-Based Approach to Fair Trade it is vitally important that Fair Traders
know what the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women (CEDAW) is and how it works, particularly when it impacts 51% of the global
population, yet women are often considered to be in the minority. To see how this conventionworks to empower women, read Journey for Fair Trade: Understanding CEDAW. The national
UNIFEM offices have translations of CEDAW in printed locally available - they have a budget for
printed materials, so don't hesitate to make a request!
To promote Gender Equality
is to promote the Universal Rights of Women.
Gender Equality is not a religious issue;
Gender Equality is not a cultural issue;
Gender Equality is not a concept introduced from the outside…
Gender Equality is about a principle we all very much believe in:
Representation and Participation in a Democratic System
8/3/2019 Fair Trade, Empowerment and Human Rights
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/fair-trade-empowerment-and-human-rights 4/4
Mitch Teberg, MAAssociate Member
For those who have trade partners in developing nations, I encourage you to do some online
research of Women's Rights Organizations, to include Rights-Based Non-Government
Organizations (NGOs) in their country and put them in touch with your trade partner. Contact
the UNIFEM national office if you need a referral to a local NGO which conducts workshops in
women’s rights. It is important that as Fair Traders we unite with the Rights-Based
Organizations in their efforts to make change happen and put an end to gender inequality and
social injustice.
To read CEDAW in English, http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm
To read CEDAW in Spanish, http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/sconvention.htm
To read CEDAW in French, http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/fconvention.htm
To read CEDAW in Arabic, http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/0360793A.pdf
To read CEDAW in Chinese, http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/0360794c.pdf To read CEDAW in Russian, http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/0360795R.pdf
To integrate a Rights-Based Approach to Fair Trade begins by raising awareness of the rights
we are all entitled to enjoy; the rights which form the very foundation of our Shared Principles.
Take a stand for human rights and begin raising awareness with a celebration on Human Rights
Day, December 10th, 2011. For ideas and information read Journey for Fair Trade: Fair Trade
Celebrates Human Rights Day.
Mitch Teberg, MA
WFTO Associate Member
Sustainable Development / Fair Trade / Women's Rights and Gender
Researcher / Trainer / Consultantwww.journeyforfairtrade.blogspot.com
Posted on:
http://www.wfto.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1618&Itemid=314