A study on the establishment of new channels for fair trade. A proposal for an organizational framework within FLO International and its members.
Levret C.
Thèse, Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier. Series: Master of Science : 88 pp.
Abstract : The history of the development of the international fair trade movement is reviewed and the key philosophies behind this movement are outlined. The idea of fair trade was first promoted with the slogan Trade not Aid, launched at an UNCTAD conference in Geneva in 1964. Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO International) was established in 1997, and includes organizations in 17 countries covering ten different product groups (coffee, tea, sugar, honey, cocoa, bananas, orange juice, rice, mangoes and cut flowers). FINE was established in 1999, and is an informal alliance between FLO International, IFAT (International Federation for Alternative Trade), EFTA (European Fair Trade Association) and NEWS (Network of European World Shops). The work of these organizations in promoting the ideals of fair trade is examined, together with that of ISEAL (International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling). The importance of national initiatives concerning fair trade is also considered. Problems associated with the development of a fair trade certification system are discussed, and measures that can be taken to improve certification processes within FLO International are considered.