Table of Contents
We welcome you to this new initiative! A newsletter produced by our Fair Trade organisation. We present the first edition of this newsletter through which we hope to reach people choosing fair trade as a personal choice, and are therefore for responsible comsumption and solidarity. We would like to address this newsletter not only to persons who are familiar with the Koperattiva Kummerc Gust and our products. We are also willing to give information and introduce Fair Trade to new people and show the positive effects of Fair Trade and the negative impact that is happening around the world because of the current trading system. A system which is based on a very unjust structure, where the farmers/ workers are continually being exploited by few persons who on the other hand make huge profits. We see Fair Trade as a solidarity movement through which we change unfair structures, because we are for the respect and protection of fundamental human rights. The fight for the gender equality, for the food sovreinity, for the education, for a dignified live for all the people, etc. Untill these rights are not being practised our struggle for the latter will have to continue. So, Fair Trade is a mechanism to promote development of countries and the respect of their humans rights where shopping is a reponsible action with a global impact. Surely, we cannot change these injustices in one day, however from our locality, from our village or city, things can start to change. The Fair Trade movement began almost 60 years ago, when people started to question the pillars of this unfair system and therefore they have decided to form this alternative. Throughout the years the Fair Trade movement has significantly grown in many European countries. There is much more room for improvement and work to be done in KKG´s sphere of activities in Malta. However daily decisions of various people have made it possible for l-Arka and Koperattiva Kummerc Gust to continue. During these 14 years of campaigning and raising awareness on this issue, a positive impact has been left and is still happening in communities and people in developing countries. Nontheless, Fair Trade makes sense as well within the Maltese and European context; Where people fight for a better life living from agriculture or other basic resources. Therefore we should support small scale agriculture as by time they are disappearing. because it can not afford the power of the industrial capitalist depredation who rules our continent and the whole world. We are glad to present this new newsletter, in which we are hoping you will feel nearer to the producers, to fair trade products and to other people who share the same vision that a better world is possible . We invite you to enjoy this new experience! Good reading!
Antonia is the founder of Asociación Artesanal Señor de Mayo or ASARBOLSEM, a Fair Trade pioneer and one of the largest Fair Trade organizations in Bolivia. ASARBOLSEM is a grassroots organization that connects groups of organised handcraft producers and provides marketing services for them on Fair Trade terms. They joined WFTO in 1998. Antonia hailed from the province of Linares de Potosi. As a girl she worked tending domestic animals and as a maid of a local teacher. She moved to the capital La Paz in 1970s and learned handcrafting. Born and raised in poverty, Antonia used her skills to escape poverty and later used her experience to help other people, especially the women, handicapped and street children. Under Antonia’s leadership, ASARBOLSEM was named one of UNDP’s model social enterprises in Latin America. Source: www.wfto.com
Wal-Mart threatens markets and traditional mexican tianguis* Wal-Mart announced that in 2010 135 Aurrerá Express shops will be built in 14 of the 16 areas of the Federal District, many of which will be located near public markets, tianguis and markets on wheels, threatening families who subsist on traditional trade. The traditional business denounce that they will have even more predators, as it is planned also to authorize the opening of several new "24 hours stores". Moreover, Antonio Ocaranza, Wal-Mart Mexico spokesman announced that "We will have a 10 percent growth in terms of sales floors" nationwide. Walmex opened 275 stores in 2009, five more than he had planned, increasing their sales floor for 10.6 percent. Labor rights organizations have denounced Walmex because of the way they employ minors as packers, without basic salary. Teenagers recieve just tips that consumers give them. The employees of the chain also suffer violations of their labor rights standing for many hours at the cash registers without breaks or carrying heavy packages, regardless of age or health conditions. * traditional Mexican street markets Source: www.xarxaconsum.net
The European Commision has given green light to the second GMO crop allowed in Europe: a transgenic potato of the chemical multinational company BASF which has been modified to facilitate its use in the production of paper, detergents, adhesives and other industrial products. The approval of the BASF potato has been extremely controversial, among other reasons, because it incorporates a resistant gene to an antibiotic used for treating some infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. European legislation on the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) requires the prohibition of such varieties, because of the risk posed by the spread of antibiotic resistance to pathogenic bacteria. However, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has bowed once more to the industry interests while guaranteeing the safeness of the BASF potato stating that the possibility of transferring this the resistant bacteria to antibiotic is remote, and only has been demonstraed in the laboratory (not in the Nature). Remote, but possible. So then, where have the principle of precaution gone? Source: www.ecologistasenaccion.org by John Axiak
www.banksecrets.eu is the illustration of a report is that well-documented bad practices of 13 companies and sheds light on the banking groups that finance these companies. It would appear that as many as 121 banking groups are involved in the financing of these enterprises. Website: http://www.banksecrets.eu/ Cocoa, food of the Gods, work of the poor
This sweet treat hides a dark side – actually, anything but sweet- along the process which starts in the fields, until the moment that processed cocoa arrives to the supermarkets shelves. Cocoa is mainly produced in developing countries, the world’s top producers are the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Indonesia, Ecuador, Brazil, Malaysia; however, it is mostly consumed in industrialized countries, where a few multinational companies dominate both processing and chocolate manufacturing. Cocoa production is dominated by smallholders, because of that the livelihoods of millions of households depend directly on it (cocoa is the direct source of income for 11 million farmers in West Africa alone). The main activities undertaken by farmers include maintenance of the farm, harvesting, fermentation, drying and bagging, and possibly transport of the cocoa beans to upcountry delivery points. For the production stages, the cost of labour and the cost of material inputs (fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides) constitute by far the largest components of current costs. According to the international market, the continuing declines in the price of cocoa – as well as coffee- have captured considerable media attention. Between 1980 and 2000, the prices of coffee and cocoa fell by nearly 70%. The approximate cause of low prices is structural oversupply. Farmers, and countries, sometimes have few economic alternatives to coffee or cocoa growing; in these cases, they may continue to increase production despite falling prices. The extremely instability of cocoa prices generates huge livelihood insecurity for producers, and particularly hurts the small-scale farmers and cooperatives. In the cocoa sector, the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) work to stabilize the market. Considering that in the standard cocoa production the farmers get only about 5% of the profits from chocolate and cocoa sales, while companies get about 70%, Fair Trade cocoa appears as a necessity for farmers, producer countries and, in general, all the ethical consumers. Fair Trade guarantees farmers a stable living wage, prohibits abusive child and forced labor, and it promotes self-sufficiency and an environmentally sustainable farming, making it the most comprehensive model of positive economic development available. In Malta the organization Kooperattiva Kummerc Gust intensively works on the promotion and advocacy of Fair Trade values. Fair Trade is giving an alternative to this present unjust Trade system; some of the Fair Trade cocoa products can be found at L-Arka. Many of the largest chocolate and cocoa companies have exacerbated producer poverty by engaging in trading activities that depress world cocoa price, slashing farmers’ incomes. Five companies alone – Nestlé, Ferrero, Mars, Kraft Jacobs Suchard, and Cadbury Schweppes – have come to control more than half of the European market for consumer chocolate. The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), a multinational body seeking to stabilize market prices through International Cocoa Agreements (ICAs) and other joint efforts. This is why international price stabilization mechanisms are so important. The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), founded in 1972, sought to achieve market stability through “International Cocoa Agreements” (ICAs) that operate like state-run stabilization funds.
“THE STORY OF STUFF” (or the way we live our life)
For all those who are stuff lovers as well as for those who try deny or avoid it, this documentary will be worth watching. ¨Story of Stuff¨ is told in a simple way, cartoons show how our “Golden Era of Consumption” affects our societies and every single aspect of our world. Current rushing into a system of crisis must be reconsidered. Though this documentary focuses some of its examples in the case of United States, it is valid for a global perspective. Story of Stuff offers not only an interesting point of view on the “consumption-culture” issue and its consequences in a globalized world, in addition to this, the website is a helpful educational tool, that may be used by parents or teachers to explain for the youngest the tricky global issues in which we’re involved. Watching the documentary you’ll realize that when buying the stuff, the majority of the consumers are playing down the seriousness of the essential production steps: -Production, explains how much of our stuff, which we use in our homes and even for our bodies, contains extremely toxic components. -Distribution, or “selling all this toxic contaminated junk as quickly as possible.”, the prices of many goods don’t reflect the true cost of making it, and the consumers won’t be really paying for the stuff they buy, so…Who will? Go back to the so called “Third World” and you will get your scary answer. -Consumption, one of our society’s priorities is shopping and throwing away obsolete stuff that is still perfectly useful. Shouldn’t we be wondering whether it is a sustainable way to live our lives? -And finally, disposal; aren’t you curious about where all your stuff ends up, and what are the -dark- consequences of it? So guys, have a look to www.storyofstuff.com, tell friends about it, and most important, contribute to change this unfair system! When rejecting products we’re making our choice with regard to those criteria, since we become aware of the practical repercussions of the purchase. Maybe thinking about carbon footprint reduction, deciding to boycott some products or companies that have unacceptable production practices (e.g. child labour, gender inequalities), buy locally (looking for seasonal food, support of local farmers, social interaction), to support cultural identity and gastronomic distinctiveness (to protect local shops and products, avoiding the uniformity of “Mcdonalds” or “Tesco” cities…), supporting specific political conflicts (e.g. buying Cous-Cous from Palestine, or Café Zapatista –FZLN-). “Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol, and dental insurance. Choose fixed interest mortgage repayments. Choose a starter home. Choose your friends. Choose leisurewear and matching luggage. Choose a three-piece suit on hire purchase in a range of fucking fabrics. Choose DIY and wondering who the fuck you are on Sunday morning…Choose your future. Choose life...” Visit the website: www.storyofstuff.com
Back to beginning After 27 years of development Today PARC is known as a leading Palestinian non-profit, non-governmental organization involved in rural development and women's empowerment. Its main aim - better benefit and development of a democratic Palestinian civil society. For this reason Fair trade programme is employed as one of the means to promote sustainable development for communities involved. Benefits from Fair Trade PARC’s Fair Trade program consists of a series of interventions and so far it has improved the quality of rural agricultural products. Also it has increased opportunities for these products to access foreign and domestic markets, what is an urgent issue in Palestinian case. This program also helps to realize equitable economic returns for producers, organizations, and individuals within the vision of a fair world in which justice prevails. So far obvious goals have been reached - more than 1300 tons of goods have been sold in the last three years and marketing services have been provided for more than 2300 beneficiaries with a sales volume of 4.1 million euros. In Malta, thanks to the Fair Trade shop “L-Arka”, you can find Palestinian high-quality wholegrain cous cous. Hence, by buying these products you can contribute for achieving the aims of PARC and support sustainable development of Palestine.
by Laura Granda Mateu
Today Fair Trade in South Africa has grown to almost 60 certified producers and 40 waiting certification. Most of these are FLO certified “plantations”. Products cover fresh and dried fruit, wine, fruit juice and tea. There has also been a growth in Fair Trade Tourism. Q. What were your main doubts, fears and hopes before leaving? Q. What were your main work activities during the internship? Q. How this organization, EMG, works with the small farmers? Q. From your experience, how is Fair Trade benefiting and impacting over the farm workers - and their communities - which you were working with? Q. What were the challenges for the Fair Trade movement in South Africa? Therefore you need to persuade the owners of these plantations to become Fair Trade since through this way workers will be able to participate in the decision making process of their place of work thus gain a certain degree of autonomy. Q. 16 long years have passed since Apartheid officially ended. From your experience, how does this cruel heritage affect the current South African people? Q. Some cultural shocks and unforgettable moments. Q. Do you feel this African opportunity as an important experience in your life? |
|||
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
|
ASARBOLSEM Director Antonia Rodriguez Medrano was recently appointed by Bolivian President Evo Morales as the new Minister of Productive Development
Businesses drive the economy. They provide work, build projects with people and spread wealth... Unfortunately, that is only one side of the coin, as all over the world people also suffer on account of business projects. That is because some businesses refuse point blank to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Sometimes ordinary people and their lives appear to be completely ignored. It seems as if some businesses are blinded by their desire for more and yet more profit. When private interests prevail, and particularly when large sums of money are involved, even the most humane relexes can be completely lost.
The cocoa tree, “Theobroma cacao”, produces cocoa pods containing beans used mainly in the manufacture of chocolate bars and drinks. Chocolate is one of the most attractive and quotidian food that we have around us; besides, cocoa is one of the world’s most important agricultural export commodities. 
“Do you have one of these? I got a little obsessed with mine… in fact I got a little obsessed with all my stuff. Have you ever wondered, where all the stuff we buy comes from and where it goes when we throw it out?”
Palestinian agricultural relief committee (abbr. PARC) plays important role within a Fair Trade movement in Palestine. This association has contributed for small scale farmers and producers from all over the country. It is worth mentioning, that PARC aims at restoring and rebuilding the agricultural sector in the devastated Gaza Strip, where bombings, separation wall and checkpoints have pushed thousands of families to poverty since they can not reach their land and water and thus are abandoned from main source of income - farming.
Between August and November last year Louisa Attard took part in the project “Supporting Fair Trade at Grass Roots Level”, in the organization Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG), Cape Town. She was chosen to be part of the GLEN cycle, the Global Education Network (GLEN) that gives young Europeans the opportunity to be involved in an internship in the Global South.
   
| 
| Koperattiva Kummerċ Ġust 306, il-Ħanut l-Arka, Triq San Pawl, il-Belt Valletta, Malta VLT 1213 | Tel: +356 2124 4865 Fax: +356 2131 5562 info@l-arka.org |