We celebrate International Fair Trade Day, an initiative that seeks to raise awareness of the importance of fair and sustainable trade for the planet and the people who inhabit it.
Fair trade is a form of trade that seeks to promote equity, fairness and sustainability in the supply chain. This is because the way we buy and consume food has a major impact on agriculture, livestock and fisheries, which in turn directly affects people and the environment. Fair trade seeks to change this model through several important objectives.
First, it seeks to guarantee a fair wage for workers involved in food production. It also prevents child labor exploitation, promotes gender equality and participation in decision-making at all levels. Finally, it advocates environmental protection.
Fair trade also enables people in impoverished areas of Africa, Latin America and Asia to make a decent living from their work. Families, cooperatives, women’s groups and workshops for the disabled are some of the communities that are part of a fair and sustainable business system.
What can we do to participate in fair trade?
To integrate glocal care (weighing globally and shopping locally) into our lives, we can start by reflecting on our consumption choices. As Pope Francis says in his encyclical Laudato Si’: “Buying is always a moral act, and not just an economic one.” (LS, 206) It is important to consider the labor and environmental conditions of the products we buy, as well as their impact on the local and global community. We can support fair trade, buy local and seasonal products, and reduce our overall consumption.
In addition, we can participate in local initiatives that promote glocal care, such as supporting local and sustainable agriculture, promoting renewable energy and reducing waste. We can also educate others about the importance of glocal care and promote positive change in our communities.
In summary, glocal care is an important perspective for promoting equity, justice and sustainability in the world. We can integrate it into our lives through our consumption choices and participation in local initiatives. As Pope Francis said, “the issue of environmental degradation challenges the behaviors of each of us” (LS, 206) and fair trade and glocal care are concrete ways in which we can act to make a positive difference.