Fair trade – partnerstwo odnajdywane z trudem

Abstrakt

The aim of this article is to describe and evaluate fair trade – a form of development assistance and trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. Fair trade 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 focuses in particular on commodities or products which are typically exported from developing countries to developed countries such as coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, fresh fruit or flowers. The genesis of fair trade (the United Nations Conference on Aid and Development held in 1968 embraces the “Trade not Aid” concept, bringing fair trade into development policies), its main assumptions (for example: fair trading practices; ensuring no child labour and forced labour; payment of a fair price; respect for the  environment; non-discrimination, gender equity and freedom of association) and controversies related to the implementation of the system are presented.