World Fair Trade Day with Corporate Lunch

Asha Handicrafts Association, INDIA

This Year's Theme: “Kids Need Fair Trade”

For 31 years of working with and for the children of the artisans and communities across the country, we've learnt that permanent change in the lives of children is only possible when we tackle the root causes of Child Labour that continue to keep the children uneducated, hungry and vulnerable. We believe that all children are equal, with equal rights guaranteed to them in the Constitution of India. Asha is all about children's Rights.

On the occasion of World Fair Trade Day, 12th May 2007, Asha Handicrafts Association took a concrete step to reach out to the Corporate sector to make corporate leaders aware of their social responsibility and to show them through how Fair Trade is making an impact in the lives of thousands of artisans and their children throughout the country. Around 45 to 50 top managements from the corporate sector attended the function, which was organized at Hotel Ramada Plaza Palm Grove, Mumbai.

The stage was set for a wonderful afternoon to celebrate World Fair Trade Day. As our Chief Guest what better person could we have than Ms. Moumita Sen Sarma, Vice-president of ABN Amro Bank. Other special invitees and guests included Governing Body Members of Asha, Corporates, and artisans.

The event began with a warm welcome to the participants and a short introduction of the theme “Kids need Fair Trade”. Following this Our Chief Guest, Ms. Moumita Sen Sarma, addressed the gathering on how Fair Trade is the best model for improving the livelihood and sustainable Development of artisans in our country and worldwide. She said “The unique aspect about Asha's model is that the profits that are generated from the sale of the artisans' products are ploughed back into welfare & development initiatives for the same artisans. Hence it is an approach, which provides both economic livelihood and social development with minimal amount of dependence on charity & donations”. Hence, I feel, Fair Trade is the best model, which offers part of the solution in eradicating the problem of Child Labour and promotes holistic Development. It is the need of the hour for all of us to come together and promote the cause of Fair Trade in India.

Fair Trade A Movement for Poverty Alleviation:

Mr. Adidas Jacob, Director (Operations), Asha Handicrafts briefed the participants on Fair Trade A movement for Poverty Alleviation. In his presentation, he informed the participants about the Fair Trade Movement in India and Worldwide and how Asha, as one of the Fair Trade Organisations in India is working towards uplifting Indian artisans and providing them with economic and social support through Fair Trade Practices. The presentation of Mr. Adidas Jacob, educated the Participants on Role and Responsibility of Fair Trade.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Fair Trade:

Following this, Mr. Darryl Braganza, Director (DP world) P & O Ports, shared the possibilities of corporate social responsibility towards Fair Trade. He explained to the Participants how these two separate concepts “Corporate Social Responsibility” and “Fair Trade” are both like-minded towards the development of underprivileged sections of society. There is a need for corporate leaders to join hands along with Fair Trade Organisations to provide economic support to the poor artisans by consuming the Fair Trade products and helping them to live with dignity.

Adding to this, Mr. Darryl Braganza, further said, many corporates in the US are now selling Fair Trade products and many consumers are choosing to buy Fair Trade products. This is indeed the best way to bring about permanent social change because the principles of Fair Trade automatically ensure that the lives of the producers are holistically transformed by the Fair Trade organizations marketing their products. Mr. Braganza ended his speech by exploring the various ways in which corporates can join hands with Fair Trade Organisations to bring out social change and transform the lives of disadvantaged producers.

Fair Trade Impact A Testimony:

Mr. Sanjay Prajapati (Pink City), an artisan from Jaipur, demonstrated art of Blue Pottery during the function along with two other artisans from Sahaj (Gujarat) demonstrating the craft of Beadwork. Mr. Sanjay Prajapati, one of the artisans benefited through Fair Trade shared his experience working along with Asha Handicrafts. He Said, “I love to work with Asha, because Asha has not only helped me to develop my business but also looks into our Family matters. The Educational Assistance and Medical Assistance provided to my artisans, and me, helps us to educate our children in better school and have good health, which, otherwise we were unable to do. We are glad to be part of this Association.” Through Mr. Sanjay's testimony, the participants appreciated the impact that Fair Trade has in the lives of Indian artisans.

Fashion Show of Fairly Traded Products:

Thus far the audience was exposed to the history of Fair Trade and Asha, the producers and the artisans, but it would have been a pity if the audience had left without looking at the wonderful products created by the artisans of India. Various products from different state produced by artisans were presented in the form of a Fashion show, which was the highpoint of the day. A group of students had volunteered to do the fashion show for us because they felt the need to contribute towards the social cause.

Finally, it was time to thank all the people who were actively involved in the programme. All good things have to come to an end. The month long preparation for the World Fair Trade Day finally came to an end. But not everything ended with the programme. Many corporate representatives and leaders came forward and showed their positive response to support the worthy cause of Fair Trade (Such as ABN Amro Bank, Kotak Bank, TCS, L & T, Magic Eye, VSNL etc.). It was heartening to see that so many responded positively. And we hope that many will chip in to keep the flame of justice and love burning brightly.

Thank You.

VENUE: Jaipur, Rajasthan
DATE: 6th May 2007
DURATION: 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
NO. OF ATTENDEES: 115

World Fair Trade Day is celebrated worldwide, every year on the second Saturday in May. This auspicious day calls on us to celebrate all that is Fair Trade. The theme chosen for 2007 was ‘Kids Need Fair Trade’. This day presented an opportunity for every individual to take a stand against exploitive child labour. 

With 217 million children (14%), worldwide working under circumstances that are dangerous to their safety, health and development, ‘Kids Need Fair Trade’ was much needed to throw light on the issue of exploitive child labour.

With this in mind, Asha Handicrafts organized a World Fair Trade Day program in Jaipur, Rajasthan on the 6th of May, 2007 to kick start its WFT Day celebrations.  The WFT Day program- ‘Kids Need Fair Trade’ was attended by 115 children, from the ages of 5-17! Some of the children present were from the Toy Library Project in Bagru, some from the Tuition Project and most of them artisans’ children. A day of ‘fun n learning’ was in store for them.

The kids enthusiasm levels were sky high as a brightly colored ‘Kids Need Fair Trade’ bus, with Mahendra Kumar and 10 volunteers picked them up from 2 different locations. On entering the bus they were each given a ‘Kids Need Fair Trade’ cap and a name tag with ‘ I need Fair Trade’ and a space to write their names on it, in addition to a matching hand band made by our producer Patwa. Geared with their caps, name tags, hand bands and an unlimited amount of energy and excitement, the children entered Kanak Gati Garden in Jaipur.

Mr. Mahendra Kumar introduced the children to the ‘Kids Need Fair Trade’ program and also explained the concept of fair trade to them.
The children were then divided into groups each with 2 volunteers. As part of the post card competition all the children were encouraged to capture their ideas about Fair Trade in pictures and drawings. The post card competition lasted an hour and the children were at their creative best. They drew pictures and wrote a few lines on what Fair Trade meant to them on the post cards. Ms. Shweta Philip aged 7, wrote “The children’s must not do work anywhere e.g. Dhabas, tea shops. We know that children are the future of our country. In this day and age children must go to play and go to school.” The post cards prepared by the children were precious and each of them went out of their way to make their post card look the best and express their feelings about Fair Trade to the best of their ability.

The post card competition was followed by a healthy lunch that was thoroughly enjoyed by the children. Following which, they all participated in the ever popular game of Antakshari, which brought out everyone’s competitive side. The children were bitten by the singing bug and couldn’t get enough. They soon after participated in a singing competition. There were smiles all around, as everyone joined in some of the most popular tunes, music has always managed to transcend borders and draw people together.

The program was however, sadly cut short due unexpected rain showers. Winners of the post card competition and Antakshari were picked and gifted. The children still wanted to make the most of their day but were soon ushered into their brightly colored bus.

Overall, the program enjoyed great success and went a long way in teaching children what Fair Trade truly is and how it has made a difference in each of their lives.

‘KIDS NEED FAIR TRADE’