Notes On The Rapaport Fair Trade Conference: June 2, 2008
In what has now become an annual event, the Rapaport Fair Trade Conference took place at the JCK Trade Show on June 2nd , 2008. I have been to each of Martin Rapaport’s meetings.
I felt a strong sense of community, camaraderie and mutual support among the participants and the audiences. Usually in fair trade movements within industries, it is the NGOs that develop principals and standards. In this case, it is activists in the jewelry sector that are spearheading this change while the fair trade labeling organizations remain in the background.
The meeting was not heavily attended—perhaps there were about fifty people. Martin Rapaport commented toward the end of the meeting not to be discouraged. He was at the first Kimberly Process meeting which only had a few people. Even though this often quoted passage by Margaret Mead has become a cliche’, it is still appropriate: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Much of this recent momentum can be attributed to the cross sector Madison Dialogue Meeting in Washington, DC last October. But also, Martin Rapaport and the entire Rapaport Group were first movers. Their powerful activism has helped to drive the movement.
Clearly many strong initiatives are moving forward. Fair trade jewelry, from mine to market, will some day exist. The only question is, how soon?
These topics were covered in brief presentations:
Peggy Jo Donahue from JA gave an introductory speech on the background and purpose of the Madison Dialogue.
Amanda Stark, responsible for Fair Trade Development at Rapaport, presented a fair trade primer, explaining the difference between the two fair trade certifying organizations: FLO and IFAT.
Sue Saarnio, the Special Advisor for Conflict Diamonds from the US State Department, brought us up to date on the latest Kimberly Process news.
Eric Braunwart of Columbia Gem House discussed his latest efforts to develop fair trade gemstones, including building schools and bringing water to his mining areas.
Marc Choyt: spoke on the progress of the Madison Dialogue manufacturing committee, updating the group on how we now have created a principles document.
Demos Takoulas spoke on his continued efforts in South Africa with Vukani-Ubuntu, a project that is training villagers into the jewelry trade.
Wade Watson, spoke of his extraordinary social entrepreneurial efforts in Sierra Leone, and to develop his new Ruff and Cut ethical jewelry line.
The trade press was in strong attendance, and several other people who have been active in the field made strong contributions, including Tom Cushman from Madagascar, Toby Pomeroy, designer and manufacturer; and Bill Gallagher of Lori Bonn, Lourens Mare’, CEO of the Jewelry Council of South Africa, Robert Weldon from GIA, and John Hall from Rio Tinto.
At the end of the conference Francis Nyema, CEO of Emerging Global Access, from the Congo came up to me and said, “You might bring fair trade to the Congo. The Chinese have just invested 15 billion dollars in my country.”
There is such a need for people with passion and know how to go into places, as Wade Watson has done in Sierra Leone and Eric Braunwart has done in Malawi.
Special thanks to the Rapaport group for their continued leadership!
