Introduction To Fair Trade
Clair Namukwaya
Program Officer (Crafts/Tailoring) CALU
Following our gained trade fair status with Uganda Fair Trade Association (UGAFAT), the UGAFAT Country Network Coordinator Anne Kyateesa met with the Artisans in Nabbingo on the 11th/10/2013 to tell them about the organization’s activities and the opportunities/benefits it involves for the members.
Anne tell the Artisans about UGAFAT and its opportunities
She explained that;
“Fair Trade is a method of creating sustainable economies and new markets in poor developing countries, while simultaneously preserving traditional customs and practices.
And that the organization provides a platform with concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalized small producers and does not maximize profit at their expense. It is also responsible and professional in meeting its commitments in a timely manner. Suppliers respect contracts and deliver products on time and to the desired quality and specifications. â€
She further elaborated that the producer and consumer mutually agree on a fair price through dialogue and participation, which provides fair pay to the producers and can also be sustained by the market. Where Fair Trade pricing structures exist, these are used as a minimum. And that Fair Trade marketing and importing organizations support capacity building as required to producers, to enable them to set a fair price.
Each Artisan was provided with a UGAFAT brocure to take home by Anne
On seeing and evaluating the Artisans’ crafts;she was impressed, admired their skills, material exploration and usage. And she informed the artisans that the crafts market was unpredictable, and therefore advised them to always think outside the box; come up with their own creatively unique designs instead ofduplicating those that are already in existence and they should not be scared to try something new if they want to make it big on the Craft market.
Anne talks to the Artisans regarding the crafts they make
She informed the Artisans of the mini exhibition scheduled to take place on the 11th/11/2013; different companies/groups make craft samples to be exhibited to an international buyers and the buyers choose the ones they want to be mass produced.
Anne shows the Artisans photos of similar groups that also make crafts plus samples of their product.
The Artisans were excited by the time she left and started brainstorming ideas of the crafts to be made for the exhibition. And am sure come 11th/10/2013 we will have beautifull pieces to exhibit.
