Lead for Change Blog
Fair Trade and Human Rights: A Celebration of Human Rights Day
December 7, 2018Human Rights Day is celebrated on December 10 each year to commemorate the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which this year marks its 70th anniversary. This document was the first enunciation of the inherent and inalienable rights due to each person simply because she or he is a human being. “Recognition […]
Get to Know Mayan Hands
June 28, 2016When we think about Fair Trade, we often think of the physical products – the coffee, tea, sugar, or handicrafts. However, we often forget the stories behind these beautiful creations and the bigger meaning of Fair Trade. If you are involved in the Fair Trade movement, you have likely heard about a wonderful organization called Mayan Hands. I recently […]
My Experience with the Nonprofit Leaders of Tomorrow
January 13, 2016By Rosalie Plofchan This month, I attended the Alliance Management Institute in Houston, Texas along with Fair Trade Campaigns Staff. Since 1948, the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA) has worked to strengthen the social sector and prepare students for careers at nonprofit organizations. Alliance Management Institute (AMI) is an annual conference hosted by NLA, a partner of Fair Trade Campaigns. This year’s […]
February Fair Trade Achievements: Campaigns with Heart
March 12, 2015Our campaigners’ hearts were in the right place this February! Let’s show a little love for those who took their campaigns to the next level… Campaign Badges and Declarations 18 Badges Earned! 1. Cleveland Heights, OH – Engage Your Town 2. Marquette University, WI – Commit to Fair Trade Education 3. Saint Mary’s University, MN – Pass a Fair Trade […]
Bring Fair Trade To Your Faith Community!
March 3, 2015Did you know that your church, synagogue, mosque or other place of worship can be recognized as a leader in the Fair Trade movement? Use Fair Trade products at your congregation and incorporate Fair Trade into social teachings – build solidarity among your fellow congregants! How it all Began . . . The concept of […]
Bring Fair Trade to Schools in 2015
February 27, 2015Help the Next Generation Combat Child Slave Labor Every child deserves an education. But, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), child labor is a reality for 168 million boys and girls in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Can you imagine your child, brother, sister, neighbor or YOU picking cocoa beans instead of going to […]
Share the Love this Valentine’s Day
January 22, 2015Here are 3 ways (including discounts!) for an easy and impactful Valentine’s Day. 1) Valentines to Farmers and Artisans Wouldn’t it be great if you could send a note of personal thanks and gratitude to Fair Trade Farmers and Artisans? Well now you can! We are partnering with three companies and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF (more about them […]
3 Ways to Support Mexican Farmworkers
December 19, 2014Last week, the Los Angeles Times revealed a wrenching four-part documentary series called “Product of Mexico,” in which two reporters traveled throughout Mexico to interview farmworkers at produce farms many American retailers source from. They found living conditions were oftentimes bleak, and food, ironically, scarce. These intimate stories capture the day-to-day trials of our farmworkers; the […]
UNIVERSITY TIP #1: Build Your Team
November 20, 2014Work Your Way Through Goal #1: Build Your Team Goal #1 focuses on building a Fair trade Network on campus. To reach this goal you will need to: Create a team of at least 4 students and 1 non-student (faculty, staff, dining services) leaders on campus The Obstacles The Solutions Generating Interest Find allies across […]
‘Fuel Up’ by Fair Trading Your Finals
November 11, 2014Share Your Plans and get Rewarded Here’s your chance to get hooked up with some great, free materials for that final Fair Trade Event of the year! A number of generous donations have allowed us to support campaigns hosting a Fair Trade Study Break. Provide a short explanation of your plans in the comment section below and receive the following event package […]
October Campaign Achievements: Our Campaigns are Going Strong
November 7, 2014Let’s hear it for October! We’d like to take a moment to reflect on the success of our campaigns throughout the month. Campaign Badges 11 Badges Earned! 1. Houston, TX – Engage Your Town 2. Lawrence, KS – Engage Your Town 3. Chelsea, MI – Get Some Love from the Media & Reach out to Retailers 4. […]
Town Tip #2: Engaging Your Local Government
November 5, 2014Reaching Goal #5: Engaging Your Local Government Goal #5 is about citizen engagement. To reach this goal you will need to complete the following: Pass a Fair Trade resolution, or even better a more formal procurement policy. There may be instances where passing something is not immediately possible, but this must be discussed with the National Organizer. […]
Join us in the Skoll Challenge!
October 24, 2014We have been invited to participate in the Skoll Foundation Social Entrepreneurs Challenge! Each year the Skoll Foundation invites a select number of organizations to fund-raise over the course of one month and in turn commits to matching (up to a set amount) donations made over that time. This year we are pleased to announce that […]
SCHOOL TIP #2: Committing to Fair Trade Education & Events
October 20, 2014Reaching Goal #2: Commit to Fair Trade Education & Events Goal #2 is all about Fair Trade education and events at your school. To reach this goal you will need to complete the following: Bring Fair Trade into at least two classrooms or events. Empower students to be conscious consumers. The Obstacles The Solutions Making connections with […]
UNIVERSITY TIP #4: Committing to Fair Trade Education
October 1, 2014Reaching Goal #4: Commit to Fair Trade Education Goal #4 is all about Fair Trade education on your campus. To reach this goal you will need to complete the following: Sponsor Fair Trade educational events and activities on campus and work with faculty to bring Fair Trade into the classroom. The Obstacles The Solutions Knowing […]
Back to School Photo Contest
August 30, 2014Kick the year off with the Back to School Photo Contest – participating campaigns will receive FREE CHOCOLATE! Last year we had over 3,000 students, faculty and staff participate – this year let’s aim for 5,000! This Year’s Theme: Cocoa While the cocoa industry generates $16 billion dollars each year, cocoa farmers annually earn $30 – 110 dollars. In addition, […]
Q&A With The Fair Trade Campaigns Interns!
July 10, 2014They’re here! We’ve got a great and talented bunch of interns working with Fair Trade Campaigns this Summer. Take a look below to familiarize yourself with the folks who work to keep us connected, prepared, and moving forward. Fair Trade Campaigns’ Summer 2014 interns! (Left to right: Stephanie, Lena, Alison) Lena Crown (Washington University): Social Media Intern […]
Fair Trade in Costa Rica – A Student’s Perspective
May 8, 2014About our Guest Blogger: Suzi Kondic is a Sophomore at Tulane University. She spent the Spring 2014 semester in Costa Rica through Tulane’s study abroad program and had the opportunity to visit a Fair Trade Coffee Cooperative (CoopeTarrazu). Below she shares some of what she learned through the experience. “I have always thought of myself […]