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Fair Trade in the south of Chile

Fair Trade, and the important social changes it generates, is as a concept largely unknown in Chile, although there exist cases in which it is practiced on a day-to-day basis.

As the fourth Chilean member of IFAT, the International Organization of Fair Trade, the Fundación Chol Chol has promoted the existence of other producers and supporting organizations that practice the principals of Fair Trade without yet being officially affiliated with the movement.

Thus, we have helped to create the Red de Comercio Justo del Sur (or southern fair trade network in English), currently formed primarily by Mapuche women that come from poor rural families and for whom the commercialization of their products is a significant portion of their household income.

Which are the business standards followed by the network?

1. Creation of commercial opportunities for marginalized producers
2. All activities conducted responsibly and with transparency
3. Commercial relationships are ethical and dignified
4. Payment of a fair price to the producers
5. Promotion of equality and freedom of association; no discrimination.
6. Promotion of just and dignified working conditions
7. Care and preservation of the environment

Which are the goals of the network?

1. To spread and promote Fair Trade in the south of Chile
2. To promote associations among producers in the south of Chile in order to better their quality of life
3. To make the small producers from the south of Chile visible in the process of commercializing their products

Which are the member organizations?

• Asociación Indígena Relmu Witral, made up of 120 rural Lavkenche women from the Tirua commune who produce traditional textiles.
• Asociación Indígena Ñimi Kafe Pu Domo, made up of 200 rural Mapuche women from the Araucanía region who produce traditional textiles.
• Cooperativas Ngen, consisting of 130 Mapuche women from the county of Curarrehue that work in nine different workshops.
• Fundación Chol Chol, which supports close to 600 female weavers and agriculturalists in six counties in the Araucania region.
• Fundación Trabajo Para Un Hermano (TPH) of Concepción, which supports nearly 80 small, urban artisans and sells their products.
• Gestión y Desarrollo Sustentable, GEDES, a not-for-profit association that promotes the development of 180 rural Mapuche families from Loncoche and Melipeuco in the Araucania region.
• Manos del Bio-Bio, a fair trade store run by urban artisans from the Bio-Bio region.

How can I contact the network?

Blog: www.comerciojustodelsur.blogspot.com E-mail: comerciojustodelsur@cholchol.org
Telephone/Fax: (+56-45) 614.007