Fair Trade Phil's Blog

WFTO prescribes 10 Principles that Fair Trade Organizations must follow in their day-to-day work and carries out monitoring to ensure these principles are upheld.

Principle One: Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers. Poverty reduction through trade forms a key part of the organization’s aims.

Principle Two: Transparency and Accountability in management and commercial relations. It is accountable to all its stakeholders and respects the sensitivity and confidentiality of commercial information supplied.

Principle Three: The organisation employs Fair Trading Practices with concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalized small producers and not maximize profit at their expense.

Principle Four: Payment of a Fair Price – A fair price is one that has been mutually agreed by all through dialogue and participation, which provides fair pay to the producers and can also be sustained by the market.

Principle Five: Ensuring no Child Labour and Forced Labour – The organization adheres to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and national / local law on the employment of children and ensures there is no forced labour.

Principle Six: Commitment to Non Discrimination, Gender Equity and Freedom of Association –
The organization does not discriminate in hiring, remuneration, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union membership, political affiliation, HIV/Aids status or age.

Principle Seven: Ensuring Good Working Conditions – The organization provides a safe and healthy working environment for employees and / or members. It complies, at a minimum, with national and local laws and ILO conventions on health and safety.

Principle Eight: Providing Capacity Building – The organization seeks to increase positive developmental impacts for small, marginalized producers through Fair Trade.

Principle Nine: Promoting Fair Trade – The organization raises awareness of the aim of Fair Trade and of the need for greater justice in world trade through Fair Trade. It advocates for the objectives and activities of Fair Trade according to the scope of the organization.

Principle Ten: Respect for the Environment – Organizations which produce Fair Trade products maximize the use of raw materials from sustainably managed sources in their ranges, buying locally when possible. They use production technologies that seek to reduce energy consumption and where possible use renewable energy technologies that minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

Principles by WFTO from wfto.com, edited and summarised by Fair Trade Phil

You could be forgiven for thinking so, given the relative amount of time spent in debates about increasing Overseas Aid (defeated) and Increases to Deputies Pay (Passed). The horrible phrase “Charity begins at home” made an unwelcome number of appearances as some deputies adopted an “I’m alright Jack” stance to the challenging question of whether to increase aid at a time when the budget is, as we all understand, constrained. There were some creditable arguments from those who voted no but wanted to see the level increased as soon as was financially practicable, and some that did their exponents no credit at all who had simply very selfish arguments about looking after ourselves first. In a world where children still die from basic curable diseases, where people walk 10 miles for a container of dirty water, where millions go hungry every night – every pound wisely spent on aid saves lives. Some question whether Guernsey gives too much – well I will agree with them when I see Guernsey people barefoot and starving!

If you live in Guernsey, you’d be hard pressed not to know there is an election coming up – but should you care and why?
Well yes you should care! We are fortunate to live in a democracy where we are all entitled to our opinions and our vote. Lots of candidates get in at each election by only a handful of votes so it is never true to say that your vote can’t make a difference. By not voting, you effectively give up your right to complain about our next States – you will have helped them get in by your inaction. All candidates are not the same – it is surely worth taking the time to find out which ones are more likely to represent your views and interests than to just ignore the whole episode and moan that they are all alike. Over the centuries, people have fought long and hard for the entitlement to vote and we should take full advantage by making sure we elect people to represent us. The elected deputies are not our leaders and masters, they are our servants – it is our right to choose who sits in the States and we should make full use of it. The first step is to make sure your household and friends and family are all registered to vote – you can do it online here Don’t waste your chance to be heard!

On 8th June 2006, Simeon Green MBE, a representative of Fairtrade producers from the Windward Islands officially opened Mondomundi’s first shop in St Martin’s at the Co-op complex. It was highly symbolic as Simeon was in the island to formally present Guernsey with its award of Fairtrade Island status. Mondomundi was set up by Phil & Heidi Soulsby who wanted to run a business that would make a positive difference to the world, and would be run with the very highest standards of ethics and social justice at its core. Things developed quickly, and less than a year later, Sher Ghazi, a fairtrade fruit grower from Pakistan was present during Fairtrade Fortnight 2007 to officially open the second Mondomundi shop upstairs at Guernsey Airport – believed to be the first fairtrade airport shop in Europe. In addition to this, Mondomundi have been steadily growing a trade supply business, providing Fairtrade tea, coffee and other catering supplies to restaurants, coffee shops, offices, schools and churches.

While economic conditions have not been ideal for a new small business, Mondomundi have been very fortunate in having a loyal and committed customer base who are very supportive of our goals and more importantly love what we stock. Equally as important, we have been blessed with a fantastic team of people who work with us, who are also passionate about making a positive difference through our daily work.

Another important element of the business has been developing relationships with key Fairtrade companies and with the Fairtrade Foundation. Mondomundi is now a significant customer for Traidcraft, Divine, Cafedirect and Namaste. Traidcraft for example list us in their top 15 national customers and our purchases from them have gone up roughly 10% each year despite the recession. An annual highlight is the preview event of Traidcraft’s Christmas Catalog, which takes place in September each year, and customers can visit Mondomundi and see the entire range in store before ordering for delivery in October. Visitors from Traidcraft and Divine have also been in the store to talk to customers and provide more information on the benefits that Fairtrade brings to the developing world.

While most people are now familiar with the Fairtrade logo (over 70% of UK adults recognise it) and the main products of tea, coffee, chocolate etc, not everyone realises the enormous range of high quality fair trade goods that are available and very competitive prices. Mondomundi’s range of handbags, scarves, jewellery along with giftware, toys and household items provide a solution to many gift buying problems with unique, unusual and desirable items.

Always willing to be a pioneer, Mondomundi established the island’s domestic battery recycling scheme and remains a main deposit point for used household batteries. During the life of the scheme, more that 5 tonnes of batteries have been diverted away from landfill.

Most recently, Mondomundi have agreed to have their products in Mon Petit Monde, the gift shop in Sausmarez Manor, giving visitors the chance to browse a unique selection of local goods and fair trade items from around the world.

Politicians seem to have honed in on the word “Fair” recently – click here for a bbc article covering different meanings of the word. Here, of course, we are interested in one specific use – relating to trade – a trade free of tariffs, prejudice and exploitation, a trade which rewards the producer fairly for the work done, the raw materials used, the skills used, a trade which allows people to free themselves from the poverty trap created by international injustices.

11th to 17th October is UK chocolate week, promoting chocolate, chocolatiers and chocolate shops up and down the country – and it is only natural we focus on Fairtrade chocolate this week. In particular, Divine Fairtrade Chocolate – a unique chocolate company, owned by the farmers and growers (more here), which ensures that not only do they receive a fair price for the cocoa beans they grow, but they also get to share in the profits generated by the sale of the truly yummy Divine Chocolate. Guilt free chocolate – now that surely does taste sweet!

  We shall have samples for tasting this week in store featuring the 2 new bars (85% Dark & 70% Dark Ginger and Orange) as well as old favourites, and there will be special offers all week. If you’re not in Guernsey – check out Divine’s list of events all over the UK….  get out there and eat some Fairtrade chocolate!

Fair Trade Phil

Ecomodo is a “rather a cool idea” according to Stephen Fry. Who are we to disagree? From humble beginnings in Guernsey, the new marketplace of good returns is picking up new members across the British Isles. Ecomodo is a website which lets people lend and borrow everyday objects, e.g. tents, tools, portable hobs; skills, e.g. mending bikes, IT, gardening; and spaces e.g. greenhouse, storage space, community hall.  Lenders can choose to lend for free, to earn some money or to fundraise for a good cause.  They can control who can request their items by setting up or joining circles around real world communities such as workplaces, school PTAs, environmental groups and clubs, and they can get extra peace of mind by asking for deposits and insurance cover. Borrowers come to the site to save money, get something they need quickly and easily, or simply to reduce the amount of stuff they buy for irregular needs such as parties, visitors and DIY jobs.

It’s free to join and add items to lend  – and by joining you will be notified of things to borrow and stuff people want locally.

The founders’ goal is to reduce consumption in a positive way. They want to reduce communities collective effect on the environment whilst creating new opportunities for people to follow their dreams, pursue their interests and do the boring jobs quicker and for less money.

Ecomodo has the makings of a social, environmental and consumer revolution. Help them build critical mass. Join up at http://www.ecomodo.com

After an intense week’s work, Mon Petit Monde is ready to open its doors! The former Little Green Island shop has been redecorated, refurbished, refitted and filled with stock. Alongside our popular fair trade and eco friendly products, we have added a range of Guernsey products and souvenirs. Located at Sausmarez Manor opposite the excellent Hearts Tea Room, the premises receive a steady stream of visitors both local and tourists.

On Saturday, the popular farmers market brings a real buzz to the area and an eager crowd to Mon Petit Monde.