A SEMINAR ON ALLIANCE BUILDING IN FAIR TRADE: 21-22 November, 2008, Kolkata

Sasha in association with Fair Trade Forum India and supported by HIVOS hosted the one & a half day seminar on Fair Trade. It was held at two places – first day 21st November, Friday at Saturday Club, 7 Wood Street, Kolkata 16 and second day 22nd November, Saturday at Nitika Don Bosco, 52A, Radhanath Chowdhury Road, Kolkata 15.

The central theme for the seminar was ‘Fair Trade & Handicrafts: Future Trends & Opportunities’. An eminent panel from the International Fair Trade Association (WFTO)- the global apex body of Fair Trade Organisations, guest and delegates from different countries and states of India took part.

On day 1, Chief Guest Ms. Ms. Beth Payne- US Consul General in Kolkata, led the invocation in the company of WFTO President Paul Myers and FTF-I President Dr. Shyam Sharma. Ms. Payne in her address complemented Sasha on completing its thirty years and the fair trade movement in India Mr. Paul Myers reminded the audience that the roots of Fair Trade lie in the villages and that sustainability of Fair Trade is the key issue for the future. Dr. Sharma, spoke on the origin of Fair Trade and Gandhiji’s philosophy of village economy

The President of International Association for Fair Trade Mr. Paul Myers chaired the seminar. Internationally known fair trade practitioners Mr. Gerd Nicholiet, GEPA, Germany, Mr. Rudi Dalvai, CTM Altromercato, Italy, Ms. Carol Wills, British Association of Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS), UK, Mr. Stefan Salmon- of Thaicraft, Thailand, Prof Ranjan Mitter of IIM Calcutta and Mrs. Roopa Mehta of Sasha deliberated on various issues and bought in their visions and suggestions on the issue.

The Day 2 was focused on alliance building in Fair Trade amongst Fair Trade members, producer organisations, groups of craft producers, design & social science students and other like-minded development organisations and other institution in the purview of the theme. The seminar & workshop brought together different perspectives –national and international on the relationship between Fair Trade and Handicrafts and made an effort to look into the future trends and opportunities it provides in contributing to sustainable development, poverty alleviation and preservation of crafts and culture.  
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