Course description:
Did you know that, of the 25 million people who grow the coffee we enjoy, most see very little of the money we pay for it? If you answered yes, your coffee savvy is likely the result of a growing, public “coffee-consciousness.” Since 1996, LWR has worked to promote an alternative to the mainstream coffee market and its inequities. The alternative is Fair Trade, a global network of cooperatives and distributors that ensures that farmers receive a fair wage, encourages sustainable farming practices and gives us the option to live out our faith by affirming human dignity with our consumer choices.
In this class, listen as three LWR staff members describe the impact Fair Trade has had on the people of Central America. You’ll hear stories about how farmers, who were once impoverished, are now able to feed their families, send their children to school and advocate on behalf of their communities. You’ll learn more about how the coffee is produced, who makes decisions about profits, and by what routes the coffee arrives in the US. And you’ll get answers to your questions about the economic realities and possibilities that drive the movement. Finally, our presenters will fill you in on the future of Fair Trade, as the program expands to include crafts, chocolate and even palm fronds for Easter!
Take an hour out of your busy holiday schedule and join us for another Virtual University. Even if you can’t, browse the readings posted below, pass them on to someone else and help keep the Fair Trade movement growing!
Recommended Reading:
Fair Trade and Human Rights: The Perfect Combination
http://www.lwr.org/toto/FT_HR.pdf
Fair Trade Coffee Project website
http://www.lwr.org/coffee/index.asp
Fair Trade Chocolate Project website
http://www.lwr.org/chocolate/index.asp
Fair Trade Handicrafts Project website
http://www.lwr.org/handcraft/index.asp
Equal Exchange, “Our Trading Partners- CECOCAFEN, Nicaragua”
Download this file as a PDF
“One Cup at a Time”
Download this file as a PDF
“LWR's Work in Latin America” PowerPoint presentation
Download this file as a Microsoft PowerPoint File
“Faces of Fair Trade” flash presentation
http://www.lwr.org/fairtrade/slideshow.asp
“Coffee Crisis: thanks to God and Fair Trade
we're not starving”
By Terri Speirs
http://www.lwr.org/coffee/elsal.asp
“Organic Sisters' Blend”
Download this file as a PDF
“Women and Fair Trade”
Download this file as a PDF
Movies about Fair Trade:
- Grounds for Hope — call 1-800-LWR-LWR-2 for free loan
- Black Gold — In theaters now; check for screenings in your area.
- Buyer Be Fair — for purchase
- Birdsong and Coffee: A Wakeup Call — for purchase
- The Quality Way (12 minute DVD produced by Nicaraguan partner CAFENICA)
- Familia Aráuz Villarreyna (15 minute DVD in Spanish produced by Nicaraguan partner CECOCAFEN)
