Fair Trade

A 100% non-profit Fair Trade product range supporting local third world communities of producers, as well as funding French reinsertion programs. A range of fair-trade products have been created for the Smiley brand which they will sell in their French based retail store Altermundi as well as hundreds of other stores.

Groupe SOS set up their fair-trade facility 7 years ago in order to work with small groups of artists and craftsmen in third world countries.The project encourages and promotes fair-trade practices at the same times as creating stylish, modern and desirable products that are not usually associated to fair-trade product ranges. The project encourages and promotes fair-trade practices at the same times as creating stylish, modern and desirable products that are not usually associated to fair-trade product ranges. All products are made according to fair-trade standards that help to improve marginalized producers living conditions in developing countries.

Each Smiley Fair-trade product has its own unique story and cause which it supports. Most of the products made for the Smiley Fair-trade range have been supported and managed by Friends International in association with La compagnie du commerce equitable (LCCE). Friends International is a social enterprise that started in August 1994 in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) in response to the lack of services for street children and youth. The first program Mith Samlanh (“Friends” in Cambodian) became a ‘best in practice’ program and a reference to working with street children and youth for future projects.

Smiley fair-trade will be the first time a brand has ever made a full range of fair-trade product making this range special and unique to our brand.

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 organizations have a clear commitment to Fair Trade as the principal core of their mission. They, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade. They can be recognised by the WFTO logo.

Fair Trade is more than just trading: it proves that greater justice in world trade is possible. It highlights the need for change in the rules and practice of conventional trade and shows how a successful business can also put people first.

Source:
http://www.wfto.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1331&Itemid=293