Jeremy Piercy, Shared Earth’s founder, took part in the recent global conference on fair trade in Kathmandu, Nepal last month, under the auspices of WFTO (World Fair Trade Organisation, formerly known as IFAT). 240 delegates from about 50 countries attended. Much time was spent debating how a new monitoring system could put crafts on the same level as food (the Fair Trade Mark currently only applies to commodities).
 
There was also a presentation from four countries - 2 in Asia, one in Africa and one in South America - about how climate change is affecting their communities and how they are responding to it as producers and exporters. Jeremy afterward made the point - to loud applause - that as the industrial countries of the north are largely responsible for global warming, we need to hear from fair trade importers too - are they doing as much?
 
It was unaminously decided to set up a working group on the environment. Jeremy has been asked to chair this group.
  
Before the conference, Jeremy visited three of Shared Earth’s suppliers in Nepal, Mahaguthi, New Sadle and GET Paper - all of which are mentioned in his book. He also visited WEAN (a women’s cooperative) and ACP (Association of Craft Producers), both of which will be supplying SE soon. Within a few months our shops will be selling a wealth of new bags, purses and other textiles, scarves, notebooks, stationery and handmade cards.

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