World Fair Trade Day
Join the world’s largest drumming circle in support of sustainable trade.
This Saturday, May 9th, 2009 marks World Fair Trade Day, and the world is planning to celebrate—one beat of the drum at a time. Supporters include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, musician Annie Lennox, comedian Eddie Izzard, Icelandic rockers Sigur Ros, and more.
The meaning of the term ‘fair trade’ may be vague to many of us, but it’s actually something that should be at the forefront of our thinking, as we go about our daily spending, more than just one day of the year.
When you buy a product, your purchase has consequences far beyond feeding your family and pets or furnishing your home. Whether the product has been handmade by an individual or is the result of a line of machines in a factory, it is a vote for the organization that provided you with the product.
“From the moment we wake up we can contribute to the betterment of life for people across the globe simply through the products we use and the businesses we choose to support”, says Bob Berg, CEO for Ten Thousand Villages Canada, a fair trade retailer of handmade jewelry, home décor, gifts and other items.
What is Fair Trade?
While the focus of fair trade is mostly on social justice (fair wages for workers, business based on “fairness, transparency and accountability,” no sweatshops, improved social services and development of local infrastructure), environmental requirements also play a role in a fair-trade certification of products. In addition, environmentally friendly production practices (e.g., pesticide-free agriculture) often mean better health conditions for the workers—which is an important fair-trade principle. For example, when you buy your morning coffee, by choosing fair trade, you are ensuring that the beans you are using are grown naturally, without chemicals, to enhance the well-being of farmers, their communities, the environment and wild life. In fact, the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) asserts that poverty and climate change are inextricably linked, and fair trade has the potential to significantly impact both for the better.
What is World Fair Trade Day?
World Fair Trade Day (WFTD) is a global celebration of fair trade, across 70 countries. It includes events organized worldwide, on and around the second Saturday of May, by members of the International Fair Trade Association. The aim of WFTD is to draw attention to the importance of trading fairly with millions of producers.
BIG BANG!! 09 MAY 09is a global festival of events to promote a fair trade-solution to poverty, climate change and economic crisis. The ‘day-long’ festival actually lasts 48 hours in order to encompass a full day in each time zone. The main event is a rolling program of drumming events that anyone is invited to join. Drumming is part of every musical tradition the world over. According to the WFTO, BIG BANG!! will start with a solo drummer at first light in New Zealand on May 9th, and circle the earth with events, crossing all cultures and traditions. Participants are registered on every continent, from African villages to Icelandic towns, Asian cities to American farms, and the festival closes at sunset in Samoa.
World Fair Trade Day is dedicated to you and the positive impact you can make in your community, through local and global events and by making educated purchases.
What’s happening in your community?
Saskatoon, SK
Join drummer Brent demo the Djembe, and Udu Drums
Location: Ten Thousand Villages @ the 600-45th Street Location
When: Saturday May 9th, 11 am – 12 pm
Montreal, QC
Fair Trade Coffee House Night
Location: Dix Mille Villages @ 5674 Monkland Ave.
When: Friday May 8th, at 8:00pm.
Palgrave, ON
Eco Fair. UCW bake sale, Antique and Mother's Day "silent auction". Fair trade cafe (coffee, tea, and chocolate, sugar and rice). Displays and information from local Caledon environmental organizations. Green cleaning workshop.
Location: Palgrave United Church - 34 Pine Ave.
When: Saturday May 9th, 8 am - 12 noon. World drumming circle @ 10 am
Wolfville, NS
TAMMACHAT Natural Textiles Fair Trade Fair and slideshow: "Women Weave - Organic Cotton Along the Mekong"
Location: St. John's Anglican Parish Hall 341 Main St.
When: Saturday May 9th, 10:00 am.
Lethbridge AB
Ten Thousand Villages. Live entertainment, product samplings, special discounts and activities for all ages.
When: May 9th, all day
Location: 329 - 5th St. S.
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Ten Thousand Villages Celebration: Enjoy coffee and chocolate samples. Come into the store and receive a free CD from Putumayo.
Location: 2101-2253 Leigh Square
When: May 9th, all day
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Ten Thousand Villages: live musicians in-store, free tastings of fair trade coffee and food products and will be having a special sale on all musical instruments. Also, get a free Putumayo Sampler CD with any purchase of an instrument or CD.
Location: 109 Queen St.
When: Saturday May 9th at 10:00 am
London, ON
World Fair Trade Day at Ten Thousand Villages. Fair trade chocolate, coffee and tea sampling, special discounts and bonus giveaways. A draw for a gift basket valued at over $70.
Location: 630 Richmond St.
When: Saturday May 9th at 10:00 am
Langley, BC
Ten Thousand Villages Celebration. Live music entertainment, refreshments and giveaways.
Location: 20525 Fraser Hwy.
When: Between 12 – 4 PM
For more fair trade finds, check out Green Living's Guide to finding some of the top fair trade skincare products on the market.
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