World Fair Trade Day – How can Fair Trade recognise the diversity in trade and can help us move from a ‘Brown Economy’ to a ‘Green Economy’

Economist, business commenter and one of Japans leading climate change experts Mr  Sueyoshi kicked off People Tree World Fair Trade Day event in Tokyo with a keynote speech that made everyone sit up straight and the hairs on their arms bristle…

He explained:

“The current crisis of climate change, poverty and the faster than ever growing gap between rich and poor, is a consequence of the ‘Brown Economy. For the last 100 years we have based our economy on oil and businesses needs to make quick profits and short term gains is completely at odds with sustainability.”

“We need to invent and invest in a ‘Green Economy’“ he went on. “On a recent visit to meet People Tree’s Fair Trade project Swallows in Bangladesh early this year I was thrilled to see a thriving and sustainable economy and community – one that uses natural materials sustainably, doesn’t pollute and offers employment to villages, schooling, health care and social development. Fair Trade is often handmade and carbon neutral, it works in long term partnership with suppliers, so environmental protection and people can share the benefits of Fair Trade. If we take a view to make things sustainable and think about how to make profits in 10, 20, 30 years from now, our way of doing business will change to a more sustainable one. That’s the ‘Green Economy’ and I see what People Tree and Fair Trade is doing is the beginning of this ‘Green Economy.” He called on 700 Japanese people, university students to people in their 70s to be part of the solution and support Fair Trade to usher in the values of a ‘Green economy.’

Rika Sueyoshi his daughter and a TV presenter also discussed her recent visit to Bangladesh and how three generations were benefitting from Fair Trade and how much freer they are with the economic independence, skills and confidence it brings.

Fair Trade – the next generation:

The launch of Emma Watson’s collection with People Tree has helped build strong networks of students in schools and universities. Sarah Tolley talked about how Bedales, Bristol, Coventry and Birmingham had organised fashion shows to promote Fair Trade Fashion and organic cotton. “If 93% of young people think it’s important to learn about issues affecting other people lives in different parts of the world (according to the Development Education Association in the UK). Then clearly there is a big interest amongst young people about getting involved, they want to be part of the solution: students from Japanese universities reported on their activities as well.

Love From Emma Collection – watch the fashion show!

Summer collection – watch the fashion show!

Message from the producers:

Raihan Ali, Director of Swallows, Bangladesh and Marcia of  Bombolulu, Kenya reported back on the change that Fair Trade brings.

In Swallows people have electricity in their homes, fresh water and earn often twice as much as if they were working in a garment factory. People Tree is 65% of Swallows sales.

Marcia noted “People Tree has helped by giving so many orders and help with product design and quality training – and we use this to help design new products.”

We had a lively debate about how to promote Fair Trade in Japan. The students felt it was important to bring people in with great clothes and fun – where as Maekita, a leading advertising and publishing expert, and I felt we should try to tell the ugly truth about the real cost of unfair trade to shock people into action and to learn more about how our present economic system is rotten and what we all need to do to change it. After all time is running out. We agreed we could be more direct in communication the problems, issues and brands that violate human rights.