The Hands That Feed: Fair Trade with Cedarville University

Next week, Tuesday, March 31, I'm going to be joining students from Cedarville University in Ohio for a "community night." To get a sense of why students are organizing the event, check out the video The Hands That Feed from Benjamin Schmanke on Vimeo. I got inspired just watching this clip and can't wait to meet the students who are so concerned about economic justice.

After we all enjoy some Fair Trade refreshments, I will give a talk on why student and how student participation in the Fair Trade movement is so important. Then there will be a panel discussion consisting of six individuals debating pros and cons of Fair Trade, followed by audience Q &A. The evening will wrap up with a Fair Trade Fair benefiting the work of Lutheran World Relief.

The event is being organized by the campus group "Ekplesso." Join us if you are around Dayton!
Stevens Student Center Event Rooms - Cedarville University
March 31, 2009, refreshments beginning at 6:30 p.m. and program at 7:00 p.m.

Who Owns the Fair Trade movement? Listen to Some Participant Voices

Finally I have purchased an MP3 player.  My delay is not so much that I am a technophobe as that I know that sooner rather than later I am going to lose the darn thing.  But the appeal of listening to podcasts (especially during training for my next event: the National 1/2 Marathon) has won out.

Case in point,the 90 minute recording of a London School of Economics panel discussion called "Who Owns Fairtrade? A debate on who benefits, influences and controls Fairtrade."  It is a great range of views on some of the controversies related to mainstreaming, corporate investment into Fair Trade, and the ideals of Fair Trade partnerships.  I suggest you listen first to the contribution of Dyborn Charlie Chibonga and Rajah Banerjee who speak from farmer perspectives to what Fair Trade means as a framework.  Then give a listen to Pauline Tiffen, a colleague I profile in Chapter 7 of my book, who gives a historic grounding of Fair Trade and reflects on its evolution and current power dynamics.  Finish up with Katie Stafford, a business consultant, and business owner Kate Sebag.  

Traveling Chuckles from Louis CK

I had a welcome snow day yesterday, meaning I could walk around in the pre-plow beauty, watch "Ellen," and do other spontaneously fun activities. One included looking at a You Tube video of comedian Louis CK. In this riff, he takes on one of my pet peeves: people who complain about the inconveniences of modern travel.

Case in point: my last snow day I was in Baltimore but wanted to get to my home in Washington, DC about 50 miles away. The commuter train home was more than an hour late but I had choices: I was able to take a light rail to a bus, which took me to a subway, which took me within a few blocks of my home, on a paved road. Along the trip I thought of my friend Alonso in Chiapas, Mexico. When I was in Mexico, Alonso had only one option to get him to his work in the city of Tuxtla Gutierrez: a windy road in a a micro-bus packed with passengers. Another friend of mine once fell out of such a van at high speed!

This video helps us realize how much we take for granted, while poking some gentle fun. I confess I saw myself in the indictment of the person who thinks wireless service must be instantaneous at all times!

Traveling in Ohio: next event March 31

Ohio is buzzing about Fair Trade these days.  This weekend I had the honor, thanks to my day job,* of giving a keynote address at the 3rd annual Global Solidarity Conference held at the University of Dayton.  I was so inspired by about 80 people who, during particularly tough financial times in their home state, dedicated a Saturday to discussing how to promote economic justice. 

At the end of this month, I head back to Ohio participate in a community night at Cedarville University.  I love being part of campus events (see photo above from my time at my alma mater, Agnes Scott College). I'll be joining the owner of Stoney Creek Roasters, professors from campus, and leaders of student trade groups.  This public event is intended for students and members of the Cedarville, Xenia, and Yellow Springs communities.  If you are in the neighborhood, please join us Tuesday, March 31, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Stevens Student Center.

*Of course, nothing on this independent blog should be construed to be representing my employer.  Likewise, the Catholic Church doesn't always represent my views.