LALITPUR, NEPAL – On 6 May Manushi will participate in a rally in support of World Fair Trade Day 2017 (13 May), with local producers and approximately 20 other Nepali organizations. The rally will begin at 7 AM at Bhaktapur minibus park, Dudhpati, and end in Dattatraya Square. At the end of the rally, participants will form a human chain to demonstrate solidarity with producers and fair trade supporters around the world.
The rally is organized by Fair Trade Group Nepal, to help mark WFTDay, an initiative of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). It is one of the hundreds of independently organized events related to WFTDay happening around the world showing solidarity with local producers and calling attention to the impact of fair trade practices and the organizations, like Manushi and its partners, who are agents for change.
The theme of WFTDay 2017 is Be an Agent for Change, which highlights how supporters and buyers of fair-trade products create change by helping to promote social justice and equity, eradicate poverty, end unequal trading structures and empower producers.
Members of the public are invited to participate in the event and join a global effort by being an Agent for Change. When buying products such as chocolate, coffee, clothes, and handicrafts, look for the blue and green WFTO symbol. This is the WFTO guarantee that fair trade practices such as good working conditions, gender equity, environmental sustainability and fair payment are being upheld. Choosing these products is a simple way for consumers to support sustainable livelihoods and help Fair Trade Organisations, especially small producers, escape from marginalization.
To show your support for positive change and WFTDay join the Agent for Change campaign. Print out an Agent for Change sign from the link below, join arms with a friend or a group of people, take a photo and share it online with the hashtag #AgentforChange or #FairTradeDay. Learn about WFTDay events nearby or go online to find a list of local fair trade organizations. Visit the Manushi website or Facebook page to see photographs of some of the people behind its products whose lives fair trade has improved.
In September 2016, Manushi was officially recognized by the WFTO as a Fair Trade Organisation and received the WFTO Fair Trade Guarantee which confirms and recognizes that the Ten Principles of Fair Trade are being properly implemented at Manushi and throughout its supply chain. This certification allows Manushi to use the WFTO label on all products and to offer an extra assurance to buyers and partners that fair trade practices are being upheld.
About Manushi Arts
Manushi is a Fair Trade Organization whose objective is to improve the economic conditions of poor, disadvantaged and marginalized producers, primarily women, through sustainable development. A non-profit organization initially established in 1991 to promote traditional Nepali arts and crafts, Manushi has grown into a Fair Trade leader thanks to the diversification of its activities, which now include management and skill training, entrepreneurship development and micro-financing.
A founding member of Fair Trade Group Nepal, Manushi is dedicated to the Charter of Fair Trade Principles, and to creating opportunities, ensuring safe and healthy working conditions, building capacity and minimizing our environmental footprint while always remaining transparent and accountable to stakeholders.
About WFTODay
Agents for Change across five continents will join hands for Fair Trade and the Planet to celebrate World fair Trade Day on May 13, 2017. Fair traders in the supply chain, joined by consumers, policy makers and advocates, will form human chains as part of their celebrations to mark their commitment to Fair Trade and the Planet. The 2017 celebration is the third in the series of Be An Agent for Change campaign. WFTO believes that Fair Trade is an Agent for Change, a solution to trade injustices and imbalances of power in the supply chain. People in the Fair Trade supply chain and the consumers supporting Fair Trade products are Agents for Change. It is our inherent power to make a change. We believe that anyone can be an Agent for Change. Together, hand in hand, we can work for a fairer world.
