1. Fair Trade and the Triple Bottom Line: Seeking Equilibrium as the Eagle Meets the Condor
March 19, 2009
by Paulette L. Stenzel
• tradeandsustainability.com
Professor of International Business Law, Michigan State University

2. Mother Earth • Time • Universe
Pachamama
Mother Earth • Time • Universe

3. The Eagle and The Condor
Eagle: reliance on head and brain
Manifested in materialism, technology, and intellect
Much of the world has gone too much in this direction
Condor: reliance on heart and attention to Pachamama
People in Andes Mountains & South America have stayed closer to ways of heart

4. The Prophesy of the Eagle & the Condor As Told by the Indigenous People of the Andes Mountains
It is time for the North & the South, the head and the heart, to meet and find the good in each other to protect the Earth and all sentient beings.
Integration - Not Just Balance
Reaching Equilibrium
Seeking the Best of Both

5. What is Fair Trade?
“Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair Trade [o]rganizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of conventional international trade.Fair Trade products are produced and traded in accordance with these principles - wherever possible verified by credible, independent assurance systems.”
Definition is from F.I.N.E., an information organization that includes four major Fair Trade networks:  Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO), the International Fair Trade Association, the European Fair Trade Association, and the Network of World Shops.

6. Characteristics of Fair Trade
Fair Wages
Cooperative Workplaces
Consumer Education
Environmental Sustainability
Financial & Technical Support for Producers
Giving Back to the Community
Respect for Cultural Identity
Public Accountability

7. What is the Goal of Fair Trade? To Create a Fair & Just System
Alternative Way of Doing Business
Paying People a Fair Price 
Building equitable, long-term partnerships
Connecting consumers in developed regions & producers in developing regions
Goods come from anywhere: including the U.S. & countries throughout the world

8. Fair Trade: A Tool to Pursue Sustainable Development
The Ecuadorian woman packaging fair trade soaps obtains her product ingredients from the nearby gardens.

9. Defining Sustainable Development
The 1987 United Nations Brundlandt report
- published as Our Common Future – calls it:
“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

10. What is the Triple Bottom Line (TBL)?
Recognizes need to consider economic, social, and environmental business decisions
People, Planet, Profit • Equity, Ecology, Economy • Social Equity, Environment, Economy

11. How Can We Recognize Sustainability? The Triple Bottom Line
The TBL is a tool to measure progress toward sustainable development.

12. What is Free Trade? Not Synonymous with Fair Trade.
In theory… Free trade allows goods and services to flow across international borders without government-imposed restrictions.
In practice… Free trade agreements remove or lessen government restrictions on trade crossing international borders. There are many exceptions for “sensitive products.”
Example: U.S. protects producers of sugar, rice, corn, beans, and other agricultural goods.

13. Unsustainable Development
Cement Company, LAFARGE, stripping Ecuador’s Cotacachi Ecological Preserve for lime.

14. How Does Fair Trade Fit into the Triple Bottom Line (TBL)?
A TBL Business
Returns a greater share of profits to the producer (i.e., farmer, seamstress, or artist)
Avoids use of child labor (in most cases)
Pays fair salaries to workers
Maintains a safe work environment and tolerable working hours
Does not otherwise exploit a community or its labor force.
Which are all Fair Trade Characteristics

15. How Fair Trade Coincides with Indigenous Paradigm
Rejects Privatization
Reestablishes a “commons”
Recognizes community rights & self-determination
Uses cooperatives and collectives
Seeks Local Products
Emphasizes Harmonization
Takes plants only as needed.
Uses land wisely (rotates crops)
Organics not pesticides

16. Prophesy of the Eagle and the Condor Seeking Harmony & Learning from Each Other

17. Conclusion We are connected to the Earth locally and globally
Fair Trade provides a way to respect our fellow human beings
One significant tool to promote sustainability: Fair Trade

18. “We Are All One”
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