What Is Fair Trade and How Can You Support It in the Arab World?

posted on: Mar 3, 2021

By: Claire Boyle/Arab America Contributing Writer

We have all heard of the term “Fair Trade,” but for those of us who have not, you are probably asking many questions. These questions might include, “What is fair trade?” “Why is it important?” “Do any of these programs exist in the Arab World, and, if so, how can I support them?” and, “What kinds of products do they sell?”

Worry no more about finding the answers to your deepest questions, as we explore the concept of Fair Trade and its importance throughout the world. In particular, let’s examine the history and background behind Fair Trade practices and why they are so important to providing sustainable livelihoods for numerous people – and then we will look at the organizations that are doing excellent work throughout the Arab World. Finally, some information will be provided on how you can support these individuals as well.

What Is Fair Trade?

So, you might be asking, what is Fair Trade? The practice of Fair Trade allows people who hold the roles of being an artisan, a grower of food and drink items, a producer of certain products, and other specialties to “invest” in their own futures, provide living wages, certification opportunities that work to better their own communities, and that they have access to decent working conditions.

Fair Trade business practices are beneficial for the world because many of these individuals would be left in marginalized situations where they are further exploited for their products, and their community continues to suffer. Furthermore, the term Fair Trade means that these opportunities are a promise between producer and consumer. The customer on the other end knows that through the certification process, that they are receiving a product that has met the stringent social, economic, and environmental standards set forth by the Fair Trade organization that they were associated with. Additionally, consumers feel good because they are doing right by the work that was put into making these products and are ensuring that these laborers are getting a “fair shake.” This fair shake allows marginalized communities to become sustainable in their own right. Finally, when purchasing a Fair Trade product, both producer and customer can be assured that none of these items were made using forced and/or child labor.

Are There Fair Trade Organizations in the Arab World?

Yes, there are Fair Trade organizations that exist throughout the various countries. Additionally, there are some Fair Trade groups that are part of a larger distributor that works with selling these products in the United States, United Kingdom, and other places. So, at least we can recognize that there are Fair Trade organizations that exist in Egypt, Lebanon, and throughout the Palestinian Territories. Furthermore, Fair Trade distributors such as Ten Thousand Villages, SERRV, and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) work to promote these initiatives throughout parts of the Arab World as well.

What are their missions? Typically, most Fair Trade organizations seek to help disadvantaged people such as women, minorities, and those without access to well-paying jobs, and safe work conditions. They usually provide opportunities to those in countries and villages who want to create their own personal and economic growth, but for whatever reason, they might not have these options available. However, this is what Fair Trade does: They provide opportunities and options for people who might not otherwise have them.

Fair Trade Organizations and Products Throughout the Arab World

Egypt

In Egypt, we have an organization called Fair Trade Egypt, which has been around since 1998. Their mission is to “provide quality products that are Egyptian, handmade, and fairly traded while their producers receive training and capacity-building to compete in today’s [business] market.” They are located in Cairo, are a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), and specialize in handicrafts.

Lebanon

In Lebanon there is one organization which is called Fair Trade Lebanon (FTL). FTL’s mission includes “working in the rural areas of the country with disadvantaged people by providing opportunities to work with food-processing cooperatives.” Most of their products include grapes for wines, cookies and biscuits, Arab delicacies, jams, and other condiments. Most of the people who are employed by FTL are women, and the Fair Trade organization provides training opportunities to these workers so they can have a sustainable income.

Palestinian Territories

Finally, we are moving into the Palestinian Territories, and there are a ton of Fair Trade organizations there. Palestine has quite a need for bettering their economy due to the political situation that exists there. Having said that, Fair Trade is a big deal for Palestinians and they provide plenty of opportunities for customers to purchase the beautiful handmade items that are made and grown there.

In Palestine, there are at least four Fair Trade organizations that support various causes. These include the Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans (BFTA), the Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society (HLHCS), Sunbola (SNGO), and the group Women in Hebron.

BFTA works with “Palestinian producers to introduce them to global fair trade markets.” HLHCS provides opportunities through a cooperative system where they work with international fair trade distributors. SNGO is an “apolitical group that particularly focuses on education and development in Palestine.” And finally, Women in Hebron is an organization that specifically provides employment for women and their families who live in Hebron, and they do so through various handicrafts.

BFTA makes everything from kuffiyehs, to leather and olive wood accessories, jewelry, and beautiful Palestinian glass. HLHCS specializes in olive wood nativities, religious statuary, and their artisans also create amazing items from mother-of-pearl. SNGO also works in Syria with Palestinians and they provide transportation services to the school, tutoring to students, and giving materials to teachers and their work in extremely underserved areas. And last but not least, Women in Hebron make embroidered dresses, other handicrafts, kuffiyehs, rugs, and pillowcases, among other items.

How To Support Fair Trade in the Arab World

So, how do you support Fair Trade in the Arab World? Well, for starters, I recommend that you go to the website called Arab.org which is a directory of the Fair Trade organizations that were mentioned in this article. Additionally, you can purchase products from SERRV and Ten Thousand Villages. Finally, all of these organizations mentioned above ask for donations as well, so that is always another option. Thank you so much for coming on this journey with me to learn more about supporting the wonderful world of Fair Trade products and philosophies. We can all do our part, and this is just another fun and exciting way to support countries in the Arab World!

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