The transition from one year to the next is an opportunity for many people to stop and reflect on key experiences. Here is what we heard recently from Maria Teresa Isava of St. Thomas University in Miami FL, who received a Fair Trade Fund scholarship to attend the United Students for Fair Trade convergence in November.

“….My experience at the USFT Convergence was very enriching. It was very exciting to see so many young people from all over the US and other countries wanting to learn more about Fair Trade!

In the Convergence I learned that the Fair Trade farmers and artisans are not looking for charity, but instead for social justice. I realized that there is a great need to educate the consumers in order to build a sense of solidarity with the producers. If the consumers put pressure on the supermarkets, then the supermarkets will choose Fair Trade products. Moreover, it was basic for me to understand that Fair Trade recognizes “the quality” of the work that is done by the farmers and artisans; and that it requires a trading partnership founded on dialogue, transparency and respect. Furthermore, I became aware of several catalogs and stores that offer options to support Fair Trade farmers and artisans.

With regards to Fair Trade certification requirements, I learned that FLO (Fair Trade Labeling Organizations) certifies the producers (cooperatives); and that to be FLO certified, cooperatives have to follow some social and environmental standards. On the other hand, TFUSA (Transfair USA) licenses Fair Trade importers….Most of the certification requirements are for food and beverage products. However, IFAT–the World Fair Trade Organization is currently working on standards for artisan products.

I was inspired by many success Fair Trade stories, among them:
• The Coalition of Immokalee Workers in Florida.
• The Mirembe Kawomera interfaith cooperative in Uganda.
• The Sol Colibri cocoa and coffee farmers in Costa Rica.
• The Nueva Vida Women’s Sewing Cooperative in Nicaragua.
• Fair Trade Sports, who supports hundreds of Pakistani men and women who make a living by stitching balls.

Finally, I was given ideas on how to promote the benefits of Fair Trade at my university as well as in the broader community.

Everything that I learned in the Convergence has fueled my passion for social justice; and has already given a great impulse to our St. Thomas University Solidarity Group who works with Haitian artisans and farmers. Thank you, CRS, for your invitation!”

CRS Fair Trade has been supporting student initiatives for several years, believing that their passion and intellect will help guide the movement well into the future. Here are some students from the University of San Diego demonstrating the coffee value chain.