No Easy Answers

Melissa     Ethical Fashion, Everyday Abolitionist     0

A free trade NGO called World Growth recently issued a report that’s critical of the fair trade movement. “The Fair Trade model claims it provides tangible benefits to small-scale farmers and workers, consumers and the environment. Yet, it requires costly compliance with Fair Trade’s labour and environmental standards” said Alan Oxley, Chairman of World Growth. “The result is exclusion of the poorest producers and workers most in need of higher returns.” “Much is at stake.” said Alan Oxley. “The Fair Trade model also sets fixed minimum prices which prop up unproductive industries in developing economies.” The World Growth reports showsRead more

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Ethical Fashion, Fair Trade, and All the Controversy In Between

Melissa     Empower Women, Ethical Fashion     2

We added some new vendors to our ethical fashion page. It’s hard to imagine an opponent to fair trade. No one wants people exploited to make their stuff (we do want cheap stuff, but that’s another story). But as consumer demand grows (yippee!), sometimes-opposing forces pull at the fair trade movement. It’s a time of change for fair trade—which, as usual, can result in positive and negative effects. Right now, I’d say the verdict is still out. Fair Trade USA (fairly recently split from Fairtrade International) is still very much in the process of figuring out what it stands for.Read more

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Ethical Shopping: Human Trafficking in the News

Melissa     Ethical Fashion, Fair Trade     0

Below you’ll find good news from Apple, Fair Trade certification changes, and some yummy chocolate news. Hope for Ethical-Shopping Mac-Lovers “Think Fair”—Apple Becomes the World’s First Fair Trade Tech Company—Who’s Next? discusses Apple’s decision to disclose all of its suppliers and join the Fair Labor Association. This is exciting news. But the article also shows just how far Apple needs to come before its treatment of workers is worth bragging about. Out of its 156 suppliers, CNN reports: 18 facilities screened job candidates or current workers for hepatitis B, and 52 facilities lacked policies and procedures that prohibit discrimination based on results ofRead more

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Ethical Fashion for Valentine’s Day

Melissa     Ethical Fashion     2

It’s almost Valentine’s Day. As you celebrate your friends and the people you love, don’t forget that your purchases make an impact on people around the world. Here are some ethical shopping ideas to help your gifts show love for the world. But first, most of your won’t be shopping for yourselves, so click the envelope to email this post to your family or significant other.  We’ll start with some classics and end with some ethical fashion. Show love to your friends with these valentines and fair trade mini-chocolates. The ultimate ethical classic: a heart shaped box of fair tradeRead more

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Keep Girls Home for Christmas

Melissa     Fair Trade, Partner Organization News, Trafficking News & Information     0

Check out this blog post from Freeset this fall. It’s tough to face the heartbreak, but let the heartbreak fuel your resolve to the goal—no more trafficking. Ending trafficking keeps young girls safe at home—for the holidays and always. Shopping fair trade helps families have options and prevents the desperation and despair of poverty that helps fuel trafficking.

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Play Fair This Christmas

Melissa     Everyday Abolitionist, Fair Trade     1

Here at STF, we talk about fair trade a lot. (You might even get tired of hearing it.) But during the consumer holiday season, fair trade changes life for hardworking families around the world and adds meaning to the gifts you give. Plus, it’s just darn good stuff. Here are some tips as you seek to make your season as ethical as possible. Commit to Buy Fair Trade You likely won’t be able to make all your gifts fair trade—and that’s okay—but challenge yourself to find fair trade options as much as possible. Does your mom want a scarf? FindRead more

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STF Style Files – Layer Up!

Emily     Everyday Abolitionist, Product Information, Style Files     0

Temperatures are dipping and its time to layer on the fun!  Try pairing a sleek pair of skinny denim with your favorite Stop Traffick T-shirt, I like the simple Freedom Tee.  To spice things up, try mixing patterns with outerwear and accessories.  Keep the look cohesive by sticking to a similar color palate.  This floral print jacket accessorized with a  color blocked pump and geometric print scarf all in the same color story bring a fun and modern look to a simple jeans and T look.  Add simple jewelry, like the Pop Art Earrings and toss in a fun bagRead more

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Everyday Abolitionist: Stacie Donaldson, Part 2

Melissa     Everyday Abolitionist, Fair Trade, Partner Organization News, Trafficking News & Information, Uncategorized     0

Everyday Abolitionist is a recurring feature on the blog where we’ll hear firsthand from someone using their skills, talents, and opportunities to fight trafficking. This time around we have Stacie Donaldson. She shared the first part of her story last week. She works with Wonderfully Made and is an activist for exploited people in her city, Wichita, Kansas. She’s going to share her story in two parts. Here’s STF’s collection of Wonderfully Made Jewelry (more to come when our new site launches!). Mandy told stories of sex trafficking in Thailand and Eastern Europe, but also in places closer to home,Read more

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STF Featured in Reject Apathy!

Emily     Everyday Abolitionist, Fair Trade, Press, STF News     2

Reject Apathy is an online magazine all about social justice, from the publishers of Relevant Magazine. At RELEVANT, we’ve recognized the movement of a generation restless to change the world. A generation anxious to use the abundance God has blessed them with to be a blessing to others. RejectApathy.com was borne out of that desire—a desire to live out true compassion and to embrace justice the right way. Reject Apathy is a voice for the movement—a place where like-minded world-changers can connect, dialogue and challenge one another as we work to affect change locally and globally. It’s a great siteRead more

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The 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report

Melissa     Everyday Abolitionist, Trafficking News & Information     0

The US Department of State has issued the 2011 Trafficking in Person’s Report. We talked about the report some last year. Here’s the report’s purpose, in a nutshell. The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is the U.S. Government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking. It is also the world’s most comprehensive resource of governmental anti-human trafficking efforts and reflects the U.S. Government’s commitment to global leadership on this key human rights and law enforcement issue. It represents an updated, global look at the nature and scope of trafficking in persons and the broad range of governmentRead more

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