This year, Austin, Texas isn’t just the hot spot for dedicated indie music types, à la The South By South West Music Festival. From April 4-6, Austin will be swarming with your fellow Fair Traders at the 2008 Fair Trade Federation Conference. This annual conference is a forum for Fair Trade Federation (FTF) members, partners and friends to come together to share Fair Trade ideas, showcase different Fair Trade items, discuss current issues in Fair Trade and most importantly to discuss the future of the Federation and the Fair Trade Movement. They eat, drink, and breathe everything Fair Trade all weekend long! Phew!
Over the past twenty years, the FTF has brought together leaders in the field of fair trade and social enterprise to advance the movement and to provide practical, skill-building workshops. The Fair Trade movement is constantly growing and evolving, so the need for different members to come together to discuss this evolution is crucial in order to stay current and tackle any new challenges the movement may face.
This year’s schedule of events offers many different workshops including one entitled Amplifying Fair Trade Awareness Among Ethical Consumers, which includes the Online Store’s very own Tex Dworkin discussing how the “Fair Trade movement’s complimentary, but distinct, message stands out and captures the attention of a growing number of consumers interested in responsible consumption”.
If you happen to be in town for the event, we encourage you to check it out and join your fellow Fair Traders and make your contribution to the future of Fair Trade! Don’t forget to say hi to Tex!