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Letter from the Director
Novembre 15, 2016 10:09 - no comments yet
This year’s Asia Fair Trade Summit (Oct.19th-22nd) was held at the beautiful Eco Sampran Riverside Resort. Thank you to everyone who came and made this event a massive success. Fair Trade Organisations are led by you our experts and WFTO-Asia is proud to be the network bringing this melting pot of Fair Trade knowledge and experience together. It’s the strength of the Fair Trade movement and you the people investing in the Summit that made it the success it was. The Summit focus was ‘Gender Equity, and Living Wage for Sustainable Business Growth’ and the workshops panels and world café sessions all built on this. This was the tenth event, in a series held biennially for the last twenty years. Yet participants agreed that this was the one of the best yet. We in the secretariat wear this praise like a badge of honour as relevance and practicality was exactly the aim. The 220 people from 29 countries from a wide spectrum of producer organizations, buyers, government representatives, activists, media outlets, students and professors evinces the momentum that WFTO has managed to gather. We are coming together to promote and expand Fair Trade from both ends – bottom up through grassroots community work, and top down through legislative work. There was an impressive presence of a wide range of stakeholders, from the 80 Fair Trade Organisations to the government representatives from Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand with companies, auditors, and NGOs attending, somehow WFTO Asia is now on the right track to take a significant role in helping to build a stronger Fair Trade movement in Asia. Topics and workshops were relevant and practical. With in-depth presentations on Gender, Living Wage, Brand Value, Fair Trade Towns, Fair Trade Tourism and The Role of Legislation in Developing Fair Trade. The presentations are now on line please share them with your teams. This year has also seen the integration of technology, reaping the potential benefit of increased internet connectivity for the growth of Fair Trade. Through a series of online webinars collectively known as Scaling Up Fair Trade, thousands of Asian small producers are connected with buyers around the world who seek Fair Trade producers. This was the first time we had used this platform and it was not without teething problems, but this online marketing platform has huge marketing potential and we plan to build on this experience. More reports and stories from the 2016 Asia Fair Trade Summit are coming! In this newsletter we’ll share links to the PowerPoint presentations, and photos. The video presentation recordings, and voice recordings from the sessions will be shared shortly. We are grateful to the people of Thailand despite the very sad loss of the much loved king and being a country in mourning agreed that the summit should go ahead. That the usual end party was no longer appropriate was a compromise that all participants understood. We would also like to thank our collaborators and co-hosts in the Fair Trade summit, Fairtrade Asia and Pacific, the Thai Conference and Exhibition Bureau and The Australian Embassy who stepped in help at the last moment and without whom much of the conference would not have been possible. Now we are planning the next event, which will be better, reach our further and impact deeper, send us your feedback to make sure we take into account your views. With very best wishes for Fair Trade Christine Gent —Executive Director
7 Things We Learned About Gender at the Asia Fair Trade Summit
Novembre 15, 2016 9:42 - no comments yet
On October 19-22nd, 2016, WFTO-Asia members and friends gathered at Sampran Riverside Resort for the Asia Fair Trade Summit. For the first time, this biennial event incorporated an overarching theme of Gender Equality within the Fair Trade movement. Our recent work in developing a gender program within WFTO-Asia, including the formation of the regional Gender Working Group and the adoption of the WFTO Gender Policy, provided an opportunity to exchange best practices, lessons learnt and hopes for the future of gender within the Fair Trade movement. The outcomes were both enlightening and inspiring and we thought we would share with you the highlights. Here are 7 things we learned about gender during the Asia Fair Trade Summit: 1. It is not enough to employ women in your organisation/institution Gender equality requires gender-sensitivity and equitable solutions at all levels. Many of WFTO-Asia’s members employ a predominantly female workforce. In fact, 75% of producers and employees within our membership are women. We must acknowledge that our job hasn’t ended with the employment of women. We must ensure that these 75% of women, many of whom are from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds, receive the support necessary to live lives that are free from discrimination, violence and oppression. 2. Fair Trade is grounded on inclusion, equality and sustainability These are the features that also underpin the movement for women’s economic empowerment. These two objectives are not mutually exclusive and each provides a space conducive to fostering the other. 3. The empowerment of women, and the realisation of gender equality is everyone’s responsibility Women cannot be empowered without men also being empowered. Likewise, women cannot fight for their equality without the support of their male peers. Similarly, much progress can be made from empowering and educating the youth, so that they might carry forth the work towards a sustainable and equal future. 4. There can be no Fair Trade without the equitable inclusion and meaningful participation of women at every level Gender equality and women’s economic empowerment does not require a top-down approach. Real change can come from the bottom and from the top. One cannot be effective without the support of the other. 5. There is not only one model for supporting women’s empowerment and gender equality in the workforce Our members have numerous stories, best practices and lessons learned on their experiences in addressing gender, and when given the space, these strategies can be inspiring and motivating for the rest of the movement. The Asia Fair Trade Summit taught us that when time is given to discussions on gender, that time is always dynamic, inclusive and informative. 6. Capacity building on gender is an ongoing activity and sufficient time and resources should be invested in it Our experiences are different. Our country-contexts, political situations and religious ideologies are different. Therefore, we require nuanced and continuous sensitisation and awareness-raising that levels us onto the same platform to ensure the most effective advocacy. 7. We have the power to create real and lasting change The Fair Trade Movement is comprised of passionate, dedicated and creative individuals and organisations, which have the power to create real and lasting change. The energy that was apparent during Asia Fair Trade Summit was contagious, and it’s safe to say that all participants left with a renewed sense of hope and commitment. This momentum will be harnessed and directed towards our ultimate goal – to promote sustainability and improve trade conditions for disadvantaged producers, 75% of which are women.
Formation précarité énérgétique: des pistes pour agir et prévenir
Novembre 15, 2016 9:40 - no comments yetL'association Bourgogne Energies Renouvelables organise une formation sur la précarité énergétique.
La précarité énergétique se propage en France et touche actuellement près de cinq millions de personnes. Lutter contre cette précarité est un enjeu incontournable de la transition énergétique et écologique. Au-delà du traitement curatif de l'urgence, une action préventive d'ampleur est impérative et doit s'inscrire dans la durée. S'éclairer, se chauffer, se déplacer sont des besoins élémentaires et ne peuvent être facultatifs dans une société moderne, durable et solidaire.
Rendez-vous le 22 novembre à de 9h à 17h
à Bourgogne Energies Renouvelables (Tour Elithis - 2e étage),
1C Boulevard de Champagne - 21000 DIJON
Téléchargez le programme de la formation et inscrivez-vous ICI !
Date:
Mardi, 22 Novembre, 2016
Liens:
Natural Dyes the Asia Fair Trade Summit
Novembre 15, 2016 9:08 - no comments yet
Authors: Emily Lush of Wander-Lush and WFTO-Asia As part of last October’s Asia Fair Trade Summit the talented ladies from Bangladesh’s Aranya Studio, Lamorna Cheesman of Studio Naenna, and Jamjit Sawai and Mali Pnuthri of Pun Mai Group in Thailand, travelled to Nakorn Pathom Province in Thailand to work with the Fair Trade leaders gathered at the summit. This was a practical manifestation of Fair Trade centered around hands on training with world experts in natural dyes. Aranya is pioneering the revival of natural fabric dyes in Bangladesh, a self-sufficient, women-led enterprise based in Dhaka. The company has its roots in scientific research and development, and has successfully recreated 30 dyes using plants, flowers and other local, organic materials. Ruby Ghuznavi, Aranya’s founder, saw the potential for her company to enter the fashion industry, and Aranya has since made a name for itself as a boutique label. She says: Natural dyes were successfully revived from the brink of extinction in Bangladesh during the 80’s. A traditional craft heritage, not only do organic dyes utilize indigenous raw materials but also offer greater employment and livelihood opportunities for the craftspeople of this country. Unsurprisingly, a big part of Aranya’s work is teaching natural dye techniques. Ruby has staged workshops for artisans across Bangladesh as well as in Bhutan, Turkey and Nepal, as well as the venue for the Asia Fair Trade Summit. Dyes made from indigo, onion-skin and mango wood were all prepared fresh at the venue for participants. Patterns were designed with improvised materials such as rubber bands, string and bottle caps. The workshop helped participants understand how natural dyes can be viable as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetics. Ruby and her colleagues Rina Akter, Master Dyer, and Nawshin Khair, Aranya’s Creative Director, Lamorna Cheesman of Studio Naenna, and Pun Mai Group, Thailand were inspiring craftspeople and social entrepreneurs who to lent their creativity and expertise to the Summit. Attendees old and new were inspired by the passion for Fair Trade and the incredible sense of community the Summit cultivated.
Mois de l’ESS et COP 22 : l’ESS s’engage pour une transition énergétique citoyenne
Novembre 15, 2016 8:59 - no comments yetLa COP22 sera l’occasion de ratifier l’accord international visant à lutter contre le réchauffement climatique. Indispensable mais, on le sait, pas suffisant pour contenir le réchauffement sous les 2° fatidiques. A nous tous d’agir, maintenant, personne ne le fera à notre place ! Et l’ESS peut montrer qu’elle est au premier rang, car elle porte une solution originale : la transition énergétique citoyenne.
Chaque structure de l’ESS peut agir simplement et dès aujourd’hui. C’est ce que vous propose la campagne « 1 000 structures de l’ESS s’engagent pour une transition énergétique citoyenne », animée par le Labo de l’ESS et portée par les instances de l’ESS : la Chambre Française de l’ESS, le CNCRES, Coop FR, le Mouvement Associatif et le Mouves. Lancée à l’occasion de la COP21, cette campagne se prolonge toute l’année 2016.
De quoi s’agit-il ?
Une initiative à la portée de toutes les structures de l’ESS : s’engager à mener quelques actions simples afin de marquer son engagement pour une transition énergétique citoyenne. Quelques exemples : passer à une électricité 100 % verte et coopérative, réduire sa consommation d’énergie, participer à un projet citoyen d’énergie renouvelable…
En se rendant sur les pages web dédiées à l’opération, chaque structure de l’ESS peut choisir des actions - parmi les cinq proposées- et s’engager à les réaliser ou signaler qu’elle les a déjà réalisées. Le site propose des explications, des conseils et des outils pour mettre en œuvre ces actions.
Ils se sont engagés
Associations, coopératives, entreprises sociales, elles sont nombreuses à s’être déjà engagées. Par exemple, en Bourgogne-Franche-Comté: la Mutualité Française Bourguignonne-SSAM, Greenbox, Urbanalis ou Juratri. Découvrez plusieurs témoignages et rejoignez-les.
Pourquoi s’engager ?
La transition énergétique, ce n’est pas que l’affaire des Etats et de la COP21, c’est d’abord la nôtre. Aujourd’hui, vous pouvez très concrètement réduire votre impact sur le climat et montrer ainsi que vous êtes un acteur responsable. Sans compter que réduire ses consommations d’énergie, c’est aussi faire des économies. Pas négligeable, par les temps qui courent !
La CRESS Bourgogne s’associe à cette campagne et invite ses membres et partenaires à participer à cette démarche collective, qui vise également à faire mieux entendre la voix de l’ESS dans le débat sur la transition énergétique. A vous de jouer ! Maintenant.
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