“We love to listen to our customers and for this reason we would be delighted to hear from you if you would like a bespoke fair trade product made especially for you.”
My first World Fair Trade Day, May 2009, Dubai, UAE with Sabeena Ahmed
WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY 2009
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
World Fair Trade Day 2009 Big Bang Campaign 2009
My first World Fair Trade Day 2009, Dubai and the UAE
My inquisitive nature led me to fairtrade, during Ramadan 2008, 12 years ago.
I was determined to 'be the change' and conducted research about alleviating poverty and supporting the most disadvantaged communities in the world. After weeks of research I accidentally stumbled upon the World Fair Trade Organization's website.
I wrote to the communications team at the WFTO and told them I wanted to support the fairtrade movement in the United Arab Emirates. They agreed and I established The Little Fair Trade Shop with a modest sum of $500.
Further research enticed me to visit Fair Trade Egypt and Thai Crafts to source unique handmade fair trade crafts and products.
I was so excited and anxious to display all the beautiful WFTO certified products at Safa Park Dubai.
The World Fair Trade Organization's Campaign for World Fair Trade Day May 2009 was:
BEAT POVERY
BEAT CLIMATE CHANGE
BEAT FINANCIAL CRISIS
BEAT A DRUM
09 MAY 09
A BIG DAY FOR THE PLANET
World Fair Trade Day 2009 Photo Gallery
World Fair Trade Day 2009, Dubai, UAE
The Big Bang Poster
Fair Trade Egypt and ThaiCraft fairtrade products
Beautiful Buffalo Horn Elephant Figurines
My first World Fair Trade Day May 2009, Dubai, UAE
Fairtrade Brass Chokers and Hand Embroidered Purses
Shadow Elephant Puppet Frame
It was a successful day meeting customers who were intrigued to learn about the origins of the fairtrade products and take stories about the producer groups away with them.
It was a special and momentous time in my life and one I hold very dearly in my heart, a truly unforgettable experience.
Disclaimer: New products were permitted for retail at Safa Park terms and conditions of trade for vendors were amended 2010/2011 I believe.
Below is my most recent video submission for World Fair Trade Day 2020 and how you as a consumer can support fairtrade social and trade justice wherever you are.
WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY 2020
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
#FairTradeSolidarity Banner
This year the World Fair Trade Organization campaign has the following hastags
#PlanetFairTrade,
#FairTradeSolidarity and
#StayHomeLiveFair
The world is still living under Covid-19 conditions and it is paramount that I support all farmers, workers, employees, and artisans by promoting them.
Here is a the World Fair Trade Organizations video to highlight the campaign
Despite recovering from two shoulder surgeries and a ruptured cyst I am determined to complete this blog.
Sabeena Ahmed supporting World Fair Trade Day 2020, Dubai, UAE
- Recycled Bicycle Chain Large Clock
Recycled Bicycle Chain Bookends
Recycled Bicycle Chain Bookends
Recycled Bicycle Chain Small Clock
Recycled Bicycle Chain Large Clock
WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY 2019 and
my visit to Dehli, India
I was humbled and privileged to visit two World Fair Trade Certified Organizations, M.E.S.H and Tara Projects April 2019.
Many thanks to Mathew K and Ms Moon Sharma for their time, care and hospitality.
Sadly, I was unable to interview Mathew, Ms Jacky Bonnie or the producer groups on this occasion and hope to interview them the next time I visit.
I have attached videos and photographs of my visit below.
Interview with Moon Sharma - Introduction
World Fair Trade Day 2019 Message - Moon Sharma, Tara Projects
What does fairtrade mean to you?
Fairtrade Kya Hai? What is Fairtrade? - Hindi/Urdu
The World Fair Trade Organization had asked fairtrade producers and organisations to send videos of the campaign
#PlanetFairTrade.
ABOUT US
The Global Community of Fair Trade Enterprises
The WFTO is the home of Fair Trade Enterprises. Spread across 76 countries, members are verified as social enterprises that practice Fair Trade. To be a WFTO member, an enterprise or organisation must demonstrate they put people and planet first in everything they do. We are democratically run by our members. This is their global community.
WFTO = social enterprise + Fair Trade
The WFTO focuses on both social enterprise and Fair Trade. Its Guarantee System is the only international verification model focused on social enterprises that put the interests of workers, farmers and artisans first.
Credit and Source: World Fair Trade Organisation Fact sheet October 2018
World Fair Trade Day - Up-cycling
WHAT DOES FAIR TRADE MEAN?
Fairtrade very simply means social and trade justice for all!
Fairtrade is a simple way each one of us can make a difference through our everyday choices.
It’s about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.
Fairtrade aims to enable the poorest farmers and workers to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
On top of the agreed Fairtrade minimum price producers also receive the Fairtrade premium.
How it’s spent is voted on democratically by farmers and workers.
This is development as decided by the people who will benefit from it.
After all, they’re the ones best placed to make it work the hardest. Roads have been laid, nurseries equipped and helpful new tools have been put to work all thanks to the Fairtrade premium.
For those who would like to learn more I recorded a video about fairtrade and have attached the video below.
WHAT IS FAIR TRADE?
THE TEN PRINCIPLES OF FAIR TRADE
World Fair Trade Organizations 10 Principles of Fairtrade, English
World Fair Trade Organizations 10 Principles of Fairtrade, Arabic
WFTO AND THE 10 PRINCIPLES OF FAIR TRADE
FAIR TRADE IN DUBAI, ABU DHABI, AND
THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Fairtrade Mums at the Home Grown Children's Eco Nursery,
Dubai, UAE
If you are a teacher, educator, parent or part of an interfaith group I would love to hear from you.
Please contact me by leaving a message and commenting below and writing to your fair trade towns coordinator to learn more about how you can get involved with fair trade.
At present I'm trying to establish a fairtrade educational and interfaith network in Dubai.
Children at the Star International School, Mirdif, Dubai
with Sabeena Ahmed learning about fairtrade bananas
WHEN YOU'RE OUT AND ABOUT BEING ETHICAL IS SO EASY
With the help of my creative director Helen we've created a little reminder of how easy it is to support fairtrade producers and be ethical at the same time.
We hope you will find it useful.
Helen Barlow Scott and Sabeena Ahmed, Dubai, UAE
Apologies for the small font I will ask Helen for HD version soon.
TOP 10 TIPS TO FAIR TRADE AND ETHICAL SHOPPING
1. Seek Fairtrade, organic, slave free and eco friendly labels.
2. Support socially conscious brands.
3. Buy only what you love and be selective
and ask 'Who made my clothes?'
'Do I really need to buy it?'
4. Do your research if you can't see where the product is made the company does not want to know.
5. Think beyond the end result where did the sourcing happen and what is product made of?
6. Reduce waste by avoiding disposable products.
7. Shop locally and support independent designers and boutiques.
8. Shop vintage and upcycled for truly unique products.
9. Speak up - ask designers and shops where their products are made.
10. Make it yourself and impress your friends with your new found skills.
HAPPY SHOPPING, SEWING AND CRAFTING! :)
Thank you once again to Ms Moon Sharma, Mathew KK and the M.E.S.H team for the hospitality, love and kindness last year.
Best wishes to all fairtrade producers, artists, supporters, volunteers and friends around the world for being the voice and change for social, environmental and trade justice.
I'm Sabeena Ahmed owner and creator of The Little Fair Trade Shop. I've been an individual associate member of the World Fair Trade Organization since 2011 and together with my artisans I bring you a bespoke collection of ethically sourced fashion & gifts.
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