Fair Trade network is a network of entrepreneurs who work in different ways to enhance the fair and ethical trade. The members of this network are subject and agrees with the following definition of Fair Trade:
Fair trade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks a fairer world trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions and guaranteeing the rights of marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South. Fair Trade Organizations, along with consumers, is actively engaged in supporting producers, and by raising awareness and implementing campaigns to change the conventional international trade rules and practices.
Purpose and goal
Network Fair Trade aims to strengthen the fair trade movement by:
- Raising public awareness of fair trade in general and highlight the diversity of players and methods in an ethical and fair trade
- Create physical and virtual meeting places between different fair trade operators and facilitate meetings with the new interest in ethical and fair trade.
- Strengthen communication and collaboration between stakeholders in different ways, working with fair trade in Sweden.
- Create an online learning community for already active and interested, a venue that allows intensification of talks, the creation and development of knowledge and tools for change. This is achieved through a web site that collects information about fair trade and the various players.
It is not task of the network campaigning or make statements in the media. However, to simplify the network, the ability of participants in the network alongside the network coordinating their work on fair trade and possibly conducting joint campaigns.
Network tools – website
The network’s joint website constitutes a compass – a publicly accessible, clear and quality assured information about fair trade. The website provides general information about the fair and ethical trade, the actors work with what and in what way, what unites and divides them, what products are available and where to buy them. The website also gathers detailed information as well as tools for active involvement. Here you can easily advance to the respective actors websites, to what is going on in different places, where you can learn and what you can do if you want to get actively involved.
Network tools – physical meeting places
Fair Trade Forum is an annual meeting place for anyone interested in fair trade. It serves as a meeting place for various fair trade actors but also as an opportunity to reach out to those interested in different parts of the country.
To increase the number of venues locally and nationally about the fair trade network should stimulate joint actions and facilitate collaboration between members to share knowledge and engage new active. Cooperation should be a way to pool resources and provide increased commitment to fairer trade. Cooperation should be a way to pool resources and provide increased commitment to fairer trade.Collaboration locally should also be stimulated when the players together provide a better basis for activities.
World Fair Trade Day and Fairtrade Focus is the clear days to collaborate on. Together can also network members also act in other venues created where there is interest to promote fair trade as a tool for change.