The summer interns at Global Exchange have been organizing an exciting new event happening this year nationwide to promote awareness and garner support for the Fair Trade Movement. Beginning now, and until July 21st Global Exchange will be holding a Fair Trade Holiday Song Contest, open to kids, youth and adults. Rules for the contest assert that all entries must be comprised of original lyrics, composed to the melody of a well-known holiday song, and must in some way reflect the ideas of the Fair Trade movement. Lyrics will be judged in 2 categories, adults and kids under 12, and the grand prize winner with receive a delicious assortment of Global Exchanges Fair Trade Truffles. Other winners will get their song entries published in the caroling song book, with the authors acknowledged in the songbook and on the website.
The other part of the Fair Trade Caroling campaign will actively begin as the holiday season approaches in November and December. We felt that since Fair Trade is so fundamentally based in the ideas of social justice and creating a more global community, the association with the warmth and unity of the holiday spirit would nicely tie the Fair Trade message into the holiday season. Therefore, we have begun reaching out to church groups, choirs, and mere caroling enthusiasts to help us spread the word about Fair Trade. The ideas is that songbooks in hand, these groups will be able to incorporate a few of the Fair Trade Song lyrics into their normal caroling routines. While spreading holiday joy and cheer they will simultaneously educate the public about the importance of the Fair Trade Movement.
As the song lyrics begin to come in, it will be exciting to see the creative things that people come up with! We will keep updating with each stage of this project, as the holiday season gets closer.