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Hundreds of millions of girls and boys throughout the world are engaged in work that deprives them of adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, violating their rights. Of these children, more than half are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the first World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 as a way to highlight the plight of these children. The day, which is observed on June 12th, is intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour, reflected in the huge number of ratifications of ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour and ILO Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for employment.
The World Day Against Child Labour provides and opportunity to gain further support of individual governments and that of the ILO social partners, civil society and others, including schools, youth and women’s groups as well as the media, in the campaign against child labour.
World Fair Trade Day is the first global campaign for The Fair Trade movement connecting producers and customers around the world and is endorsed by WFTO.Events you can organize for WFTDay 2012
Face painting
Let’s colour the celebration with face painting event! This is a fun event. Paint your face with the WFTDay logo, make a photo of your painted face and send the photo together with your organization’s name to the WFTDay 2011 Drop Box. We will upload the photos on our website on the Community section of the WFTDay website!
Fair Trade Product Fairs
In several parts of the world, public fairs are held where Fair Trade shops display their products. Everybody can participate in products fairs and enjoy the food tasting of delicious and diverse products from small producers around the world. Help promote Fair Trade products by volunteering and promoting Fair Trade product fairs.
Fair Trade Fashion Shows
Let’s promote Fair Trade fashion! Organize your own fashion show and show to your community the latest Fair Trade fashion collection!
World Fair Trade Day Beating of Drums
Drum beating is becoming an event associated with World Fair Trade Day celebration. Let’s keep this tradition. If possible, include beating of drums in your events. It is sure way to catch attention, it is fun and lively!
Fair Trade Coffee/Tea Breaks
Several Fair Trade shops and organizations have successfully held Fair Trade Coffee Breaks, and each time a new record is set. Fair Trade Coffee Breaks are very effective ways in promoting the consumption of Fair Trade beverages during coffee break time in offices and various establishments. Help promote Fair Trade coffee and other beverages consumption by participating in Fair Trade Coffee/Tea Breaks. Visit and inquire your nearest Fair Trade shop about this event.
Fair kids painting competition
Children have wonderful imagination! We can teach children the values of fairness and Fair Trade through painting competition. It is fun for children, as well as, adults! Organize a local Fair Kids Painting competition and teach your kids about Fair Trade!
Fair Trade Cooking Competitions
Cooking competitions using Fair Trade ingredients are a sure hit in many places, especially for people with discriminating taste. Help promote making the kitchen a Fair Trade place in every home. This is also a chance to discover delicious Fair Trade menus from all over the world by participating or witnessing this event.
Art show
Explore socially relevant art masterpieces with various social themes like the environment, climate change, poverty, women and many more. See how artists express relevant issues of today through the arts media. It’s fascinating and a learning experience for everyone.
Fair Trade Concerts
Celebrate Fair Trade Day with your family and friends in one of our Fair Trade Day concerts organized by our members and supporters.
Fair Trade Film/Documentary showings
Several events like this were held in 2009 and 2010. You can celebrate World Fair Trade Day in your school by showing Fair Trade films/documentaries. Contact your nearest Fair Trade shop or organization and inquire about film materials for showing. You can also show films/documentaries with themes like poverty, climate change, environment and food and water crisis.
Fair Trade university lectures
Some student groups in local colleges and universities have organised university lectures and invited Fair Trade experts to talk on topics like trade justice, Fair Trade, climate change, poverty and other issues. Students are very active promoters of Fair Trade. You can also organize your own Fair Trade lectures at your school.
More Fair Trade activities you can get involved:
– Fair Trade Tea Parties
– Fair Trade community picnics
– World Fair Trade public hearings
– Local authorities support for WFTDay
– Fair Trade artist competition
– Fair Trade artist competition
In 2012, the Fairtrade Foundation is asking everyone to take a step for Fairtrade. Hot foot it over to www.fairtrade.org.uk/step for more about the exciting new campaign and get planning your events for Fairtrade Fortnight and beyond…
Fairtrade in East Lothian
East Lothian is a Fairtrade County.
There are two Fairtrade Towns in East Lothian, North Berwick and Prestonpans. Longniddry achieved Fairtrade Village status a number of years ago.
If you would like to find out where to buy different fairtrade products in East Lothian, take a look at the East Lothian Fairtrade Directory.
To find out more about grant funding for Fairtrade events or activities, please visit our East Lothian Fairtrade Grant Scheme.
Related Links
Fairtrade Foundation – www.fairtrade.org.uk
Scottish Fairtrade Forum – www.scottishfairtradeforum.org.uk
Traidcraft – www.traidcraft.co.uk
Facebook – www.facebook.com/FairtradeEastLothian
What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. more
“Let us work together to balance the global economy and build a new social contract for the 21st century. Let us chart a development path that leads to greater social justice and the future we want.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message for the 2012 World Day of Social Justice
Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations.
We uphold the principles of social justice when we promote gender equality or the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants.
We advance social justice when we remove barriers that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability.
For the United Nations, the pursuit of social justice for all is at the core of our global mission to promote development and human dignity. The adoption by the International Labour Organization of the Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization is just one recent example of the UN system’s commitment to social justice. The Declaration focuses on guaranteeing fair outcomes for all through employment, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental principles and rights at work.
The General Assembly proclaimed 20 February as World Day of Social Justice in 2007, inviting Member States to devote the day to promoting national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development and the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly. Observance of World Day of Social Justice should support efforts of the international community in poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all.
As we look to the upcoming Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development, we have a chance to rethink development strategies and business practices so that they point us toward a more sustainable and equitable future. Sustainability depends on building markets that do a better job of spreading the benefits of development. It means meeting growing consumer demand for greener products and services. And it means laying the foundations for dignity, stability and opportunity for all. As we strive to make this transformation, we must integrate social inclusion into our policies and other efforts.
EMPOWER RURAL WOMEN –
END HUNGER AND POVERTY.
“Invest in rural women. Eliminate discrimination against them in law and in practice. Ensure that policies respond to their needs. Give them equal access to resources. Provide rural women with a role in decision-making.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world on 8th March each year. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.
Recognizing the critical role and contribution of rural women, the theme of International Women’s Day 2012 is Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty.
Key contributors to global economies, rural women play a critical role in both developed and developing nations — they enhance agricultural and rural development, improve food security and can help reduce poverty levels in their communities. In some parts of the world, women represent 70 percent of the agricultural workforce, comprising 43 percent of agricultural workers worldwide.
Estimates reveal that if women had the same access to productive resources as men, they could increase yields on their farms by 20–30 percent, lifting 100-150 million out of hunger.
Healthcare, education, gender inequality and limited access to credit, however, have posed a number of challenges for rural women. Further, the global food and economic crisis and climate change have aggravated the situation. It is estimated that 60 percent of chronically hungry people are women and girls. Yet, the Food and Agriculture Organization estimates reveal that productivity gains from ensuring equal access to fertilizers, seeds and tools for women could reduce the number of hungry people by between 100 million and 150 million.
