Fair Trade Phil's Blog

Most of us will have decided by now how we are going to use our votes. There have been some hot topics during the campaigning – the biggest seems to be a desire for change in our states. Change in personnel, change in direction and change in voting system. But as with all elections, the important thing is to vote, and to use your vote wisely, to vote for people you believe can make a difference. I hear many people say they won’t vote until the system changes but it won’t change unless you vote for it!

Inspired by @jessbisson (great idea Jess) this is my take on the top 10 I would vote for if we had IWV:-

1. Heidi Soulsby South East (@heidisoulsby, heidisoulsby.com
I have to declare an interest since I am married to this candidate and therefore prone to bias. This doesn’t automatically make me wrong when I say her combination of intelligence, business sense, compassion and diligence are a rare combination which I believe would make her an excellent deputy who would undoubtedly strengthen our states.

2. Gavin St Pier St Sampson (@gavinstpier, gavinstpier.gg)
Another new candidate but, like Heidi, has a deserved reputation for considerable intellectual ability together with analytical reasoning skills. I believe Gavin would be an asset to the states and will contribute to an improvement in the standard of debate.

3. Sean McManus Castel
An existing Deputy, Sean’s voting record is one that I would be happy to endorse on most issues and he seems to me to be one of the good guys. He sees the big picture and cares deeply about Guernsey and delivering a positive future for our island with commendable compassion.

4. Darren Duquemin Castel (@darrenduquemin, darrenduquemin.com)
Another new candidate – but one with lots of relevant skills, realistic enough not to make wild promises in his manifesto and has correctly identified the urgent issues facing the next states. I think it’s vital that there is a lot of new blood and new ideas after the election.

5. Scott Ogier St Sampson’s (@DeputyOgier, DeputyOgier.com)
A sitting deputy that has not done a bad job over the 4 years, and has useful experience. I might not agree with everything he does, but for the most part I think he does good work for Guernsey and I think the states would be poorer with out him.

6. Kevin Stewart St Sampson’s (@kevinstewartgsy, kevinstewart.gg)
New candidate – and probably a popular one. I include Kevin here because I believe he will have a real impact on the states if he can carry his no nonsense attitude into the chamber and retain his common sense (something not everyone appears able to do once they get elected!!)

7. John Gollop, St Peter Port North (@gollopguern)
The states just wouldn’t be the states without John, and he does talk an awful lot of sense. John is a lot cleverer than many people give him credit for, and he always gets down to the detail of the issues. His understanding of Guernsey politics is excellent and his heart is definitely in the right place.

8. Matt Fallaize Vale mattfallaize.com
I’d have Matt back on the strength of his voting record and as much for his part in stopping crazy decisions happening. Remember the incinerator anyone?

9. Mary Lowe Vale
Always talks sense! We also need to get more women of a high standard elected to balance the states and help reign in some of the testosterone fuelled debates. Why are so few women standing? What can be done to make the states more appealing/accessible to women.

10. Caroline Bowker St Sampson’s (@bowkercj)
I like Caroline’s background, experience and policies – some new ideas there which would bbe interesting if adopted. I think Caroline would probably vote as I would on the major issues.

Also worth a mention – I have limited myself to 10, like Jess did, but I would also think Robert Sillars, Paul Luxon, Barry Brehaut, Peter Harwood, Richard Lord and Jenny Tasker would make my shortlist.

This is very much my top 10, not that of Heidi and in no way is it intended to imply who her choices might be.

Possibly the most important election in Guernsey’s history is coming up on April 18 2012. The current States has passed the buck on a raft of key issues for the next States to deal with. So how will that best work? Well first we need the electors to turn out and make their voice heard so that the people get the States members that they want, and we have the most representative and democratic States possible. But hold on – If you live in St Peter Port North, as I write on Tuesday evening, 3 days nominations to go, only 5 people have put themselves forward for 7 seats. Unless 3 more candidates come forward, there will be no vote and these 5 will get in unopposed. It’s a similar story in the West, where 6 people chase 6 seats. Yet in St Sampson, a raft of good candidates will have to slug it out at the polls, while elsewhere, poor candidates get a walkover. Cast iron case for Island Wide Voting? You tell me! Or more importantly, you tell them! If your area doesn’t have enough candidates – why not stand yourself? At least let’s have elections everywhere! No one should get into the States unelected.

This election is vital – it isn’t time for play it safe, re-elect the same people that did nothing for the last 4 years. There are a number of younger, dynamic candidates standing this time – read the manifestos – get to know what they stand for – decide who will best represent you and the best interests of Guernsey. And then vote for them – we will get the States we deserve – and if you don’t vote, you can’t complain that they don’t represent you!

Mondomundi presents Traidcraft’s Spring Collection Monday 5^th March 5pm – 8pm at Mondomundi St Martins (Co-op Complex, next to dry cleaners)

Elephant Wine Rack

As always, Traidcraft’s new launch contains a wide range of high quality products from Scarves, Jewellery and Handbags to toys, recycled glasses and many other household items. These will be on display at Mondomundi and available to order at a discount to the catalogue price on the evening. Food and drink will be available during a relaxed, informal evening along with a guest from the Fairtrade Foundation whowill be answering questions on the difference Fairtrade is making in the Developing World.

Barbara Crowther is the Director of Communications and Policy for the Fairtrade Foundation, a non-profit organization that works with businesses, community groups and individuals to improve the trading position of producer organizations in the global south, and promote sustainable livelihoods. The Fairtrade licences the use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products certified to internationally agreed Fairtrade standards – as a tool for development. Over 4,500 Fairtrade certified products have been licensed to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark in the UK, with sales of Fairtrade products up by 40% in 2010 to an estimated retail value of £1.17bn.

Barbara leads Fairtrade’s grassroots campaigning, media and PR, Policy, Research and Public Affairs programmes. Nine in ten UK adults say they have heard of Fairtrade, and a recent TNS Omnibus survey revealed that 77% of adults are now aware of the FAIRTRADE Mark, making it easily the most recognized ethical label in the UK.

Barbara has worked in international development education and campaigning since 1989, including work on campaigns to ban landmines, cancel unpayable poor country debts and ethical trade with CAFOD, and on asylum, and on UK and international child poverty with Save the Children. Barbara also served from 2004 -2007 on the Board of the Trade Justice Movement, a coalition of over 60 organisations working to make trade work better for people and the planet.

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.