How are Fair Trade groups in Nepal rising to meet the challenges and opportunities?Safia Minney facilitates a debate with members of Fair Trade Group Nepal in February 2008.People in the Fair Trade movement have argued that environmental issues and meeting high environmental standards presents a further barrier to international trade for handicraft Fair Trade organisations in the South. However, I have tended to see environmentally friendly production methods used widely throughout Fair Trade as an opportunity to expand their sales and social impact. Here are a few examples of challenges and opportunities that empower Fair Trade groups in Nepal. Hear from Chitra of New Sadle, Milan of Get Paper Industries and Meera of Associated Craft Producers. 2/15/2008 WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY 2008!FAIR TRADE + EcologyFair Trade is a force for protecting the environment while promoting sustainable development. Fair Trade favours the sustainable use of natural resources and production methods that are not capital and oil intensive, favouring hand production and organic agriculture - to reduce the carbon footprint. Because Fair Trade is committed to paying a living wage and works in long-term partnerships, it enables producer partners to invest in environmentally friendly production. In turn, these initiatives promote environmental awareness locally and 2/8/2008
|