2007 IFAT Conference Report

The IFAT 9^th Biennial International Conference was held May 12 – 17 in Blankenberge, Belgium. 

Under the banner of “Fair Trade at Heart” – the conference attracted nearly 400 representatives from 60 countries from the five regions of IFAT`s influence: Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and North America-Pacific Rim… as well as new IFAT members from Egypt and Palestine in the emerging Middle East Fair Trade Network.

Maintaining Fair Trade at the heart of their organizational mission and their daily activities – is unquestionably the single most important identifying element within broader IFAT network. Members might come in many shapes and sizes and represent the Fair Trade chain from production to sale - including producer co-operatives and associations, export marketing companies, importers, retailers, national and regional Fair Trade networks and financial institutions – but all share a common dedication to deep Fair Trade principles.

This commitment to “Fair Trade at the Heart” was clearly articulated in the opening remarks by the outgoing Chair of the IFAT Board of Directors, Rudi Dalvai:

“The gauge of success for Fair Trade cannot be measured simply in your turnover, nor by how many people recognize you...    but rather whether or not we have been able to influence the lives of poor people in a positive way.”

IFAT is celebrating an approximate 20 percent annual growth in membership, as well as the ongoing, innovative restructuring of its network – providing greater autonomy at the regional levels, as well as more dynamic participation by all members and a distinctively more powerful voice for the producer members (who, by the way, represent the majority of overall IFAT membership!).

IFAT's overriding mission is to improve the livelihoods and well being of disadvantaged producers by linking and promoting Fair Trade Organizations, and speaking out for greater justice in world trade. IFAT`s membership is currently comprised of more than 300 Fair Trade Organizations in 70 countries... and still growing. Approximately 65% of the members are based in the South (that is: Asia, Africa and South America... and the emerging Middle East) with the rest coming from North America & the Pacific Rim and Europe. It is truly an international network!

With its regionalized and engaged membership structure, IFAT offers a supple alternative. And in our current crossroads in the development of the broader "Fair Trade Family" - now is a critical moment for IFAT to distinguish itself as a network based upon values and to contrast itself clearly with the stream of simple volume strategies sweeping across the FT marketplace. Yes, IFAT recognizes that it must achieve volumes for the economic benefit of its producer members… but not at the cost of adopting strategies, forms nor functions that are not core and central to the IFAT mission and operating realities.

Dalvai concluded by challenging us all to continue pushing for greater trade justice: “Fair Trade is not yet fulfilling its claims. The proposal for regionalization will give members more access and more ownership over IFAT`s positions and future development. But we must continue to improve Fair Trade operations within our own membership and beyond.”

The annual sales of Fair Trade foods, crafts and other specialty items are estimated to be in the billions… yet the pontential continues to be immensely greater. We must confront ourselves with the challenges of  expanding and improving the impact of our efforts. And in the context of widely proclaimed success in "mainstreaming Fair Trade" - we must continue to question current strategies and ask ourselves if some of those our “successes” will eventually be considered a step forward or a step back!  It is encouraging within the IFAT network to participate in a very active debate attempting to define at what cost and at a cost to whom are we willing to grow the Fair Trade market. The IFAT philosophy appears to be in perfect harmony with core values at Cooperative Coffees. At the core of IFAT is the objective of helping consumers understand the problems with current trade mechanisms, and to demand change – in favour of economic justice and respectful relationships. The potential for that change was demonstrated during an afternoon tour of Ostende - Belgium's first "Fair Trade Town" (photo above).

The five days of meetings were valuable opportunities to explore the inner workings and challenges within IFAT. Between regional planning meetings, thematic workshops - on topics such as monitoring criteria, marketing and product improvement - and official IFAT business meetings... this was definitely a learning experience! Parallel to the meetings, a Fair Trade products fair was set up on the premises and last but certainly not least... the event facilitated the ever so important task of networking!

This was a great opportunity to touch base with some of our old friends, like: Trade Aid, NZ; SERRV International; and Ten Thousand Villages. It was also a chance to consolidate communication channels with new friends and potential colleagues in common projects, such as: Equal Exchange, UK; CTM Altermercato, Italy; Commercio Alternativo, Italy; Alternativa3 Coop, Spain; Shared Interest, UK; Oikocredit, Netherlands; Machakos District Coop, Kenya (FT coffee coops); Palestinian Agricultural Development Association, PARC (FT olive oil, couscous and other products); and Comparte, Chile (FT wine and artesian works).

Check out the impressive list of participants! Individuals and organizations working very closely in our field or as direct allies working to strengthen our IFAT region are highlighted in orange; contacts highlighted in yellow are people and organizations with whom we may want to develop a trade relationship or a common project in the future.

General Assembly 2007

Very lively debate ensued during the General Assembly around priority issues: marketing, monitoring, budget and a product label (strongly pushed by crafts producers since 2004).  It was very encouraging indeed to see the level of engagement and the strong producer voice prevalent at all levels of IFAT.

And to close the Assembly.... BoD election results:

Board of  Directors 2007 - 2009

• Paul Myers - President
• Claribel David (APFTI, Philippines) - Vice President
• Lucas Caldeira (Asha Handicrafts Association, India) – Treasurer
• Paul Deighton (New Internationalist, Australia) - Secretary
• Ileana Cordón (Asociación Crecer, Guatemala)
• Moctar Fall (Interface Trading, Senegal)
• Constantine Kandie (Kenya Gatsby Trust, Kenya)
• Erika Spil (DAWS, Netherlands)
• Carola Reintjes (Ideas, Spain)

 
Closing the Conference and the Final Leg of the IFAT Global Journey

Bringing the 2007 Conference to a close… we were treated to a VERY entertaining evening of music and dance. The following morning, we clamored into our respective buses headed towards Brussels for the final leg of the IFAT Global Journey.