On and around May 9th, people in 80 countries worldwide will hold events to mark World Fair Trade Day, a global event initiated by the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). The international event is celebrated to highlight the importance and benefits of Fair Trade. Mayor Thomas Friedel has declared Saturday, May 9, 2009 as Fair Trade Day in Racine, Wisconsin.
The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., will celebrate Fair Trade Day on Saturday, May 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a sale of items created by women and men from around the world. Available will be Mayaworks gifts created by women of Guatemala, Chica Nica Doll Dresses made Nicaraguan women, and Mt. Meru coffee items.
The HOPES Center, 507 6th St., will host a presentation by Francesca Barbee of Illuminating Nations, on Friday, May 8 and Saturday May 9. The programs are sponsored by the Downtown Parish Association.
Fair Trade is a competitive business model that takes into account social values often disregarded in conventional business - one that builds equitable, long-term partnerships between consumers in North America and producers in developing regions. Its mission is to empower the most vulnerable farmers and artisans around the globe.
Fair Trade guarantees a fair wage and safe working conditions for producers and also supports sustainable practices that minimize our environmental footprint, and there is now a diverse and high quality range of Fair Trade products available in the US and in Racine. Many supporters already enjoy fairly traded coffee, chocolate, decorative home accessories, jewelry, baskets, toys, musical instruments & textiles.
The library will offer beautiful hand woven and beaded items available through Mayaworks, a non-profit, fair trade organization that provides micro credit loans and scholarships for women and girls of Guatemala.
Also, on hand will be hand embroidered doll dresses created by Nicaraguan women through Wisconsin/Nicaraguan Partners of the Americas, an organization that enables women to earn an income within their communities. The doll dresses are designed to fit American Girl and other 18" dolls.
The library will have Mt. Meru Coffee for purchase, as well. The Mt. Meru project promotes economic and social justice by empowering small coffee farmers in Tanzania.
For more information, please contact Jessica MacPhail, Library Director, at 636-9252.
No comments:
Post a Comment