From its first transactions with craftspeople in a handful of villages, Traidcraft, with the support of churches across the UK, now deals with over a hundred producer groups in thirty different countries, bringing hope and opportunity where little existed before.
Meanwhile, its charity, Traidcraft Exchange, has done much to promote wider trade justice agendas and establish greater corporate accountability, as well as running a wide range of successful development projects.
“It’s an amazing track record for a modest-sized organisation like Traidcraft and none of it would have been possible without the loyal and enthusiastic support of our ‘army’ of church-based supporters,” says Traidcraft Chief Executive Paul Chandler.
The UK fair trade market is now worth more than £700 million a year making it the largest in the world. So, with all this success, should we consider the job done and switch attention to other causes and priorities? Far from it, says Paul Chandler:
- 1.4 billion people still live below the World Bank poverty line of $1.25 a day;
- fair trade sales are still less than 1% of UK grocery sales;
- trade injustices and imbalances of power remain huge;
“Our role is as important as ever – pioneering new ideas, responding to the needs of producers, challenging those who seek to distort or dilute. Far from giving up, we need to redouble our efforts,” he says.
“We encouraged people to buy fair trade in supermarkets in order to get big companies interested and that has been a real success story. But we have conjured into existence some powerful competitors, who are eating away at the market on which we continue to depend.
“Traidcraft has played an important, prophetic role in the world of trade. If that distinctive, Christian voice is to continue, we need Christians to prioritise buying Traidcraft-branded products whether that is from the stall in their church, or through our mail order catalogue, or from the independent fair trade retailer in their locality.
“It has been a great first three decades, but there remains so much more to do. We need the continuing support of the churches to help us transform lives by transforming trade.”
Find out how your church can help at www.traidcraft.co.uk/church
For more information about Traidcraft, its products and its work, go to www.traidcraft.co.uk
© Traidcraft 2010
NOTE: This article may be reproduced or copied for use in faith or community magazines and newsletters. For any other use please contact Peter Collins on 0191 497 6465 or e-mail media@traidcraft.co.uk
