“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

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 with Sabeena Ahmed

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 with Sabeena Ahmed

World Fair Trade Day 2009, Dubai, UAE 

 

My first World Fair Trade Day May 2009, Dubai, UAE with Sabeena Ahmed

The Big Bang Poster

 

World Fair Trade Day 2009, Dubai, UAE with Sabeena Ahmed

Fair Trade Egypt and ThaiCraft fairtrade products

 

My first World Fair Trade Day May 2009, Dubai, UAE with Sabeena Ahmed

Beautiful Buffalo Horn Elephant Figurines

 

My first World Fair Trade Day May 2009, Dubai, UAE with Sabeena Ahmed

My first World Fair Trade Day May 2009, Dubai, UAE 

 

My first World Fair Trade Day May 2009, Dubai, UAE

Fairtrade Brass Chokers and Hand Embroidered Purses

 

My first World Fair Trade Day May 2009, Dubai, UAE

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

WFTO Facebook Banner World Fair TRade Day 2020

#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 - #PlanetFairTrade #FairTradeSolidarity #StayHomeLiveFair

Sabeena Ahmed supporting World Fair Trade Day 2020, Dubai, UAE

- Recycled Bicycle Chain Large Clock

 

Sabeena Ahmed supporting World Fair Trade Day 2020, Dubai, UAE - Recycled Bicycle Chain Bookends, Hastags for the WFTO Campaign#PlanetFairTrade #FairTradeSolidarity #StayHomeLiveFair

Recycled Bicycle Chain Bookends

 

Sabeena Ahmed supporting World Fair Trade Day 2020, Dubai, UAE - Recycled Bicycle Chain Bookends, Hastags for the WFTO Campaign#PlanetFairTrade #FairTradeSolidarity #StayHomeLiveFair

Recycled Bicycle Chain Bookends

 

Sabeena Ahmed supporting World Fair Trade Day 2020, Dubai, UAE - Recycled Bicycle Chain Small Clock, Hashtags for the WFTO Campaign#PlanetFairTrade #FairTradeSolidarity #StayHomeLiveFair

Recycled Bicycle Chain Small Clock

 

Sabeena Ahmed supporting World Fair Trade Day 2020, Dubai, UAE - Recycled Bicycle Chain Large Clock, Hashtags for the WFTO Campaign#PlanetFairTrade #FairTradeSolidarity #StayHomeLiveFair

 Recycled Bicycle Chain Large Clock

 

 

Stay Home Live Fair - World Fair Trade Organiziation 2020 Campaign to support fairtrade producers

 

 

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

 To read my blog about Ms Moon Sharma please click on the link here.

 

Visit to M.E.S.H 

Maximising Employment to Serve the Handicapped, Dehli - April 2019

Videos and Photo Gallery

 

 

M.E.S.H Gallery

Fairtrade Travels visit to M.E.S.H Dehli India, the lovely Tina modelling handwoven scarves April 2019

M.E.S.H, Dehli India,

the lovely Tina modelling handwoven scarves 

 

Fairtrade Travels visit to M.E.S.H Dehli India, hand embroidered Kashmiri bags April 2019

M.E.S.H Dehli India, hand embroidered Kashmiri bags 

 

Fairtrade Travels visit to M.E.S.H Dehli India, hand embroidered towels napkins aprons April 2019

M.E.S.H Dehli India, hand embroidered towels napkins aprons

To read more about my visit to M.E.S.H please click here

 

 

WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY 2020

#PLANETFAIRTRADE 

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

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 

WFTO's 10 principles of FAIR TRADE

World Fair Trade Organizations 10 Principles of Fairtrade, English

 

World Fair Trade Organizations 10 Principles of Fairtrade, Arabic

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

Mums Do Fairtrade at the Home Grown Childens Eco Nursery Dubai, UAE with The Little Fair Trade Shopip

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.

Sabeena Ahmed teaching about fair trade bananas at the Star International School, Mirdif DubaiUAEDub

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.

 

Agents for Change Helen Barlow Scott and Sabeena Ahmed, Dubai, UAE - February 2017

Helen Barlow Scott and Sabeena Ahmed, Dubai, UAE

When you're out and about being ethical is this easy poster - Sabeena Ahmed, Helen Barlow Scott and Lily and Raven

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.

RESPECT, STAY STRONG, PEACE AND BLESSINGS!

IN SOLIDARITY!

Sabeena

 Planet Fair Trade Campaign - WFTO May 2020

#PlanetFairTrade

#WorldFairTradeDay2020

  





Also in The Little Fair Trade Blog

Easy Fairtrade Cocoa and Banana Brownies Recipe آسان فیئر ٹریڈ کوکو اور کیلے براؤنز کی ترکیب (Fairtrade Fortnight 2024) with Sabeena Z Ahmed
Easy Fairtrade Cocoa and Banana Brownies Recipe آسان فیئر ٹریڈ کوکو اور کیلے براؤنز کی ترکیب (Fairtrade Fortnight 2024) with Sabeena Z Ahmed

Here is my Easy Fairtrade Cocoa and Fairtrade Bananas Recipe which I baked for Fairtrade Fortnight 2024.

I have tried my best to translate this recipe in Urdu.

یہ ہے میری ایزی فیئرٹریڈ کوکو اور فیئر ٹریڈ کیلے کی ترکیب جسے میں نے فیئر ٹریڈ فورٹ نائٹ 2024 کے لیے پکایا تھا۔

میں نے اس ترکیب کا اردو میں ترجمہ کرنے کی پوری کوشش کی ہے۔

Continue Reading →

Fairtade Fortnight 2024 فیئر ٹریڈ فورنائٹ and Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary  فیئر ٹریڈ کی 30 ویں سالگرہ (English & Urdu) with Sabeena Z Ahmed
Fairtade Fortnight 2024 فیئر ٹریڈ فورنائٹ and Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary فیئر ٹریڈ کی 30 ویں سالگرہ (English & Urdu) with Sabeena Z Ahmed

This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary. 

Translation in Urdu

اردو میں ترجمہ

اس مہینے میرے دائیں کندھے میں اب بھی بہت درد ہے اور میں نے اس بلاگ کو ریکارڈ کرنے اور اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنے کے لیے بہت جدوجہد کی ہے۔

Continue Reading →

August 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary
August 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

This month my right shoulder is still very painful and I have struggled to record this vlog and type this blog.

I finally managed to record videos for my Six Items Challenge 2024 and upload them to my YouTube Channel.

Translation in Urdu

اردو میں ترجمہ

اس مہینے میرے دائیں کندھے میں اب بھی بہت درد ہے اور میں نے اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنے کے لیے بہت جدوجہد کی ہے۔

میں آخر کار اپنے سکس آئٹمز چیلنج 2024 کے لیے ویڈیوز ریکارڈ

کرنے اور انہیں اپنے یوٹیوب چینل پر اپ لوڈ کرنے میں کامیاب ہو گی

Continue Reading →

 

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