Washington Fair Trade Coalition
Working on behalf of people and the planet for a fair global trading system


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News and Events

Strengthening Local Economies Everywhere Dinner & Fair, June 29, 2008

WFTC is a proud co-sponsor of the 2nd Annual Strengthening Local Economies Everywhere Dinner and Fair, June 29, 2009.  This event, sponsored by the Community Alliance for Global Justice (CAGJ), is an opportunity to gather and reflect on alternatives to the corporate agribusiness model which are healthier for our environment, our communities and ourselves. With widespread issues of food insecurity and food injustice now gaining attention - both around the world and also at home - this evening will provide a time to reflect and get energized to reform food policy.

Please join us for a delicious dinner made entirely from foods produced by Pacific Northwest farmers, ranchers and fisher folk using sustainable and just practices. To support small producers in other countries, the meal incorporates Fair Trade foods, including rice, bananas, chocolate, sugar, coffee, and tea. Dinner will be prepared by local chefs and Seattle Culinary Academy students. WA state wines and beer will also be served.

For more information, go to the CAGJ website!

WFTC Campaign Goals 2008

With the expiration of Fast Track, more members of Congress identifying as fair trade advocates, and even presidential candidates talking about the need to reform trade policy, we have a unique opening in 2008 for real progress on fair trade policy.  Our campaign goals for this year include:

  • Educational Outreach:  We will put a special emphasis on educating the public on the basic issues related to “free trade,” through our Fair Trade Road Show, media outreach, and support for our member organizations' efforts and events. Our efforts here will seek to give ordinary people a better context to understand the problems with “free trade” and to know what they can do about it.
     
  • Making Trade Impacts Real: We will document and publicize the stories of individual Washingtonians - workers, small business owners, immigrants, and others - hurt by our nation’s trade policy. We will also document the misguided globalization projects of Boeing (home of the “disappearing American airplane”) and other WA corporations.
     
  • New Model for Trade Policy: We will work with our allies both nationally and locally to help define and promote a new model for trade agreements, one that emphasizes the values of workers, communities, and the planet.
     
  • Hold the Line: We will actively oppose the last remaining NAFTA-expansion trade agreements negotiated by Bush: Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.
     
  • Washington State Autonomy Campaign: We will initiate an effort to ensure that Washington State recovers autonomy in procurement and trade policy. The WTO and most new free trade agreements ask states to give up their autonomy on procurement and other trade issues, liming our ability to support such policies as sweat-free or “buy local”. We will meet with the Governor and key legislators to explore ways to fix this problem.

  

 

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