Fair Trade - The Big Swap

A fantastic social movement aimed to promote fairness in terms of working condition and reward, also sustainability and environment conscious manufacturing standards. It is a great challenge to us the consumers in terms of value and where we will spend our hard-earned cash.



Aimed at developing countries where work force often make up of children working with no to little pay, worst still, working in poor condition and little to no reward... It is well known that the middle person reaps majority of the profit while farmers get very little money for their hard work. This is especially true in the manufacturing of teas and coco. In terms of sustainability and environment conscience, an example is the use of natural dyes in the manufacturing of textiles.

While in the process of promoting what is good, Fair Trade is not completely immune from the use of manufacturers whose standard may fall below acceptable level sometimes because of greed or other reasons. For that reason, Fair Trade certified brands and suppliers are periodically audited. This is a challenge but do not let this dither you from supporting this good cause.

It was the finale of The Big Swap, held at the famous Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne. The event was supported by a number of local artists and performers and attended by a huge crowd.



There is a wealth of information at the Fair Trade website at http://www.fta.org.au/ and on Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_trade.

We are called to look after Earth and the resources on our planet. We are also called to look after each other, the welfare and well being of all.

In the order of appearance, Paul O'Rouke, Natalie from Blue King Brown, Adam Cousens, Anna Smyrk & the Appetites and David Grant.










Genesis 1:28 God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."
God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."

Lev 25:17 "Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the LORD your God."
Matthew 19:19 "Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself."

Isaiah 58:6,7 God saids, "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"