Fair Trade: A Just World Starts with You | Benjamin Conard

Fair Trade: A Just World Starts with You | Benjamin Conard | TEDxSUNYGeneseo

Рет қаралды 156,748

9 жыл бұрын

2 billion people in the world live on less than $2 a day. But how can we fight global poverty? Through fair trade! The moment we sip our coffee in the morning, we are participating in the global economy. Consumers rule the world. Through supply & demand, consumers decide exactly what is for sale by businesses. But with great power comes great responsibility. Consumers can demand how products are made, too. Everyday purchases should be an extension of our values. Empower producers through fair trade. Educate, support, & shop! Consumerism doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Stand for fairness. Join the movement.
Benjamin Conard is a junior Business Administration major and German minor at SUNY Geneseo. He is the founder & president of the Fair Trade Club on campus, the Student Chair on the National Steering Committee for Fair Trade Colleges & Universities, and a Communications Intern for the World Fair Trade Organization. In his spare time, Ben like to juggle & unicycle around campus.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

Пікірлер: 134

@ashleykelly5969 6 жыл бұрын

Anyone else had to watch this for school?

@sascyaassak7928 6 жыл бұрын

same

@tsolly7170 5 жыл бұрын

Ashley Kelly me

@ollybath1183 5 жыл бұрын

Yes me

@uzbvlog8638 4 жыл бұрын

We had to watch during semester

@aquariusiii0133 4 жыл бұрын

Hahaha that's funny 😂😂😂me too

@yuekunliu1735 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Guys, I think I'm gonna have a listening test on this video😂 Wish me good luck!✊👍💪

@Zealand_FX_King 3 жыл бұрын

Goodluck

@kathryngoldsmith717 4 жыл бұрын

It’s so encouraging to see someone else speak out on this! Thanks so much!

@koneko3774 8 жыл бұрын

Wish this was a bigger talk :/

@silvergalaxie 4 жыл бұрын

Completely false.

@patricksweeney6334 Жыл бұрын

Great video, and yes... buy Fair Trade. He missed the mark with the closing comment about consumerism, though: "Consumerism doesn't have to be a bad thing." As he correctly noted, the largely-unaware (and, sadly, often uncaring) buying public can certainly decrease some of the negative effects of consumerism by purchasing items produced ethically. That said... consumerism is also about selling more and more and more, regardless of need, and creating demand where none might otherwise exist... just to generate increasing profit. That aspect of consumerism constitutes a negative impact on both resources and household budgets... arguably a Bad Thing. That *might* be addressable, but he didn't touch on that aspect here.

@christwest1993 Ай бұрын

i had this Ted Talk today on my Oral at school.

@jetaime8941 7 жыл бұрын

Give the workers their rightful share! It is within our power to act, so that they can gain dignity!

@chaddlee7022 5 жыл бұрын

Try getting another country to be on board with that.

@nayominchen 6 жыл бұрын

Amazing. Like our talk lots and lots!!

@fhhfhdfdhhdhhdfhdf138 5 жыл бұрын

it shows you how we treat each other if you need something like "fair trade", does that mean everything else is not fairly traded? the money system is so corrupt it blows anyones mind (who lookes into it)

@danitova 9 жыл бұрын

Benjamin Conard on #FairTrade !

@dylanstevens5714 4 жыл бұрын

I’ve been selling bananas 2 for $1 and I’ve only been selling fair trade because all I knew was that it was better for the farmers. This here makes me realize there’s much more to it and I will continue to send out the message, but in a more informative way. Thanks for giving me this talk, HIGHLY insightful

@eliaand.98 2 жыл бұрын

You mean stealing

@juliodavila6084 7 жыл бұрын

great and informative ted talk...Thank you for your insight!!

@silvergalaxie 4 жыл бұрын

It's completely false

@juliodavila6084 4 жыл бұрын

@@silvergalaxie go back to sea world

@aeryndelara7182 2 жыл бұрын

This is a very inspiring word. This should be watched by the students and also people or consumers buy products that we use every day.

@rasulzhuraev460 4 жыл бұрын

Can somebody provide me with key point of this video?

@patricksweeney6334 Жыл бұрын

The short version: Seek out and buy Fair Trade products, to decrease the negative impacts of what you purchase as a consumer.

@bluebirdsjourney5605 4 жыл бұрын

Idk I don't trust Nestle. It'd be nice if there could be a deeper conversation on Fair Trade. We know it helps the farmers, but are the farmers paying their workers fairly?

@00SENNENGOROSHI00 4 жыл бұрын

the farmers ARE the workers Fairtrade labels don't benefit large landowners who employ others

@rosinachang5724 4 жыл бұрын

00SENNENGOROSHI00 yeah you’re right.

@KatsuBae Жыл бұрын

amazing. fairtrade indeed.

@CurrencyChronicles1 4 жыл бұрын

It’s corona time, any of my classmates from Grayston prep? I’m Damian.

@CurrencyChronicles1 4 жыл бұрын

Olivia Hadiaris ok

@junkohuijs2130 5 жыл бұрын

❤️👍🏻

@silvergalaxie 4 жыл бұрын

Fact checked. Utter fail

@jacksandman3641 8 жыл бұрын

Never mind! Found it

@wolfalexanderschutz89 6 жыл бұрын

Just think about that Fair Trade receives a small part of the revenue from the Kit Kat sold..

@jacksandman3641 8 жыл бұрын

When was this video released??? Does anyone know?

@flashofdm 8 жыл бұрын

I just k

@666FeetDeep 8 жыл бұрын

Nestle and fair trade doesn't mix.

@patricksweeney6334 Жыл бұрын

"Nestle and fair trade doesn't mix." Was that Nestle reference ironic to see, or what? The word "posturing" instantly came to mind.

@shakirhussain3887 7 жыл бұрын

How fairtrade is a brand?

@jessicampbell2380 3 жыл бұрын

😥....🙏

@Lenzo8449 7 жыл бұрын

In some places $50 is like $50,000 here. I am trying but I don't understand this. How do they compare pay rates here with pay rates in other places?

@EireneSarah 7 жыл бұрын

The fact that we are trying to pay them less, justifying their standard cost of living is low, is why the world is socioeconomically and politically lacking equity. Conscious and ethical consumerism is the way. Pay them what you would pay for a white American man.

@Lenzo8449 7 жыл бұрын

EireneSarah in Hawaii, if you make $50,000 per year, you are going to be living in someone's garage. If you make $50,000 a year in India, you would be living in a mansion with a giant staff of maids, butlers, and gardeners. $50,000 is not the same in all areas. That is my question. How do you justify that as equity?

@EireneSarah 7 жыл бұрын

My wording may have been vague, sorry if I have mislead you, but I am not saying everyone should be paid equally by the same absolute figures. I am against exploitation of people. I am not saying we should all get rid of income hierarchies, and go communist. I am trying to be more realistic here, saying we should minimize the gap between the rich and poor by paying the poor labourers the amount of money that gives to equal access to physical, social, economical, and political sustenance. It is not the fact that they should be paid $50,000 per year, but that inarguably, there needs an significant increase in wages and improvement of working conditions of migrant waged labourers in the export-oriented producing countries and put an end to human and environmental exploitations. Everything is has no absolute truth, the situational peculiarity makes this world problems so complex and your criticism is a very valid, practical and realistic one. I wish I or anyone in this world could give a single definitive to your question. Although I like the concept of fair-trade, the actual implementation of the system is still an exploitative and an exclusive one, and I am still figuring out what I can do better. I don't know any better than you do.

@Lenzo8449 7 жыл бұрын

EireneSarah thank you. I agree that exploitation is wrong. I think it is hard to determine when it is taking place. What may seem as exploitation to you and me may be a great opportunity for someone else. This is a very difficult and complex subject. It seems like it may be a good start but there may be people who suffer because of this "solution" as well.

@EireneSarah 7 жыл бұрын

I think in the end I think very much like you. Fair-trade as the single solution is incomplete and disregards dynamics of power and interests. Although fair-trade has its flaws, I think of it more as a symbolistic activism toward equity. It's not as wonderful as it sounds like in reality, but I think doing the same wrong thing can be better than doing nothing at all. It's raising conversation on exploitation and we may learn from the mistakes during the process, and continue to improve what we are doing wrong. As you pointed out, fair-trade may be disregarding other variables but it is still doing something rather than doing nothing, and I hope things can get better in the future for everyone =)

@frizerbee 11 ай бұрын

The topic is intertwined with the intricacies of politics. The singular issue plaguing the world is the Western banking system. It is egregiously unjust to the inhabitants of developing nations, who, coincidentally, possess both the resources and manufacturing capabilities. We are the proprietors of the resources and labour that we exchange for your currency. Why? Is there a justification for why we, as developing nations, must trade our resources for your currency? What do we get from the West that is so critical for our survival? And yet, the supply of these currencies is not supported by the real economy. What then determines the value of your currency? This has persisted for far too long, and countless lives have been lost at the hands of those who now purport to strive for fairness and equity for all, but not for Africans, Chinese, or Indians - only Europe and selected English-speaking countries. This discourse was nothing short of a farce.

@LilithTheAquarian369 7 ай бұрын

I was taught everything is frequency, energy & vibration. And how I use those 3 things depends on the life I have. Everything is MY fault and I’m responsible for it. Soul contracts seem to be involved as well. I don’t blame anyone. How can I? I create my reality here. I really pay attention to my thoughts. As an Aquarius with 4 Aquarius placements I’m always in my head. I want my environment to be healthy, peaceful & Abundant. I don’t experience turmoil like most. 👁 Man in the mirror. 🪞

@93DAIMOND 7 жыл бұрын

fair trade label are likely to be more priced and god only knows if this conditions are actually being implemented

@fhhfhdfdhhdhhdfhdf138 5 жыл бұрын

I agree, You can't have fair trade in a competitive world

@patricksweeney6334 Жыл бұрын

@@fhhfhdfdhhdhhdfhdf138 lol. That... is a) hopefully wrong and b) a very concise summary of why Capitalism (the worship of money above all else) is failing humanity. If it's *not* incorrect, then yes... Capitalism will devour us all.

@frandelben_ 2 жыл бұрын

For more companies with fair trade certificate

@guiltyforever8044 5 ай бұрын

Does Fair-trade provide charisma?

@tsolly7170 5 жыл бұрын

@joesphcourt8878 4 жыл бұрын

yep school is using speeches on us now..

@lucasaraujo1723 8 жыл бұрын

so how much does this cost the farmers to implement?! I'll tell you about $2500. Oh, and those farmers live on less than $2 a day

@Luftpumpe4_0 Жыл бұрын

Uff

@LcnHorvath 4 жыл бұрын

Seavas des is mei englisch HÜ

@vancelanger7749 8 жыл бұрын

'A business wouldn't dare put a product on the shelf that consumers wouldn't buy.' Apple Watch, much?

@lizhazlett1226 3 жыл бұрын

and yet look how popular they are now haha

@Anaalnehmeher 3 жыл бұрын

Wer lösungen für Frau skibiack

@dawsongordon8147 7 жыл бұрын

Tell me something I don't know

@adamguymon7096 7 жыл бұрын

I like what your saying but you have to remember a few things. I myself live in downtown Salt Lake City Utah and I am #Disabled. When you say that I can Vote with my Dollar you are wrong. I am on a very limited fixed income and when I have to go to Walmart and I have to look for the "Biggest amount of something for the Cheapest price" and I can barely afford it I really don't have Choice. You are talking about someone who has money and if they don't like something they just walk down the street to the competition and spend their money there. I wish I could purchase and had the choice to purchase the good healthy choice but I don't. I can go to a restraint and get a 32+OZ Coke for 0.50 and get unlimited refills but if I want a real Orange Juice I can spend 3 - 5.00 or more to get one 8OZ glass is ether not included in your meal and you don't get free refills. When you are a person with #Disabilities and you save or earn any money you lose your Government Benefits and thus you cannot get ahead in life. I am Voting for #JillStein because she cares about people with #Disabilities. and all levels of people. Please check out her website and pass her information along to as many people as you can. www.jill2016.com #ItsInOurHands #HeyJill #OassItOn!

@EireneSarah 7 жыл бұрын

I totally understand. Fair trade products are burdensome to people with limited resources, especially for a socioeconomic minority. But why is there a growing economic gap in the first place? Accumulation of wealth, free trade, neo-liberalization, capitalism, etc. You have to fight the system, be politically engaged, fight against capitalism and play the long game. But I understand your struggles, so at least be conscious, raise awareness and do your best to help the damned system.

@niloc1ful 6 жыл бұрын

What causes inequality are factors such as geography, culture, genetics, and individual choices. Free-trade reduces cultural isolation and brings nations and peoples together to share their products and ideas. It's no coincidence that the wealthiest cities in the world are ports of entry where the greatest amount of voluntary transactions are conducted.

@patricksweeney6334 Жыл бұрын

You make an obvious and valid point about about who can most easily afford to go down a Fair-Trade-purchaser path. That said, you can still vote with your dollar in a different way... by choosing to shop someplace else. Walmart's posture on the planet is (IMO) vile and manipulative, and oppresses just about everyone it comes in contact with. Some quick Googling reveals that there's a Costco in Salt Lake City. *Especially* in contrast to Walmart, Costco actually strives to be an ethical company. I don't work for them or have any relation to them, but I've long admired their efforts to operate ethically. To the extent that you can vote with your dollar there, even that would be a plus.

@duepunto01 4 ай бұрын

👍

@LcnHorvath 4 жыл бұрын

An schenen dog eng nu

@mattjones5140 8 жыл бұрын

Cotton sucks I wear polyester shirts.

@jigglemankiller 7 жыл бұрын

Matt Jones Polyester got its own problems. Not biodegradable clogging up land fields, and it releases small amount of micro strands of polyester threads into the worlds ocean. It is how ever easy to recycle and has many uses.

@mattjones5140 7 жыл бұрын

You a liberal democrat?

@jigglemankiller 7 жыл бұрын

Matt Jones Nope Christian, I guess I find my self in the middle of the political spectrum. If I had to choose I guess I'd be republican, though I'd understand some democratic views.

@mattjones5140 7 жыл бұрын

That's good that you're a believer. I'm a conservative republican and been one since 18. I'm 27 now. I do look at voting records and if you compare congressional voting records Hillary voted with Bush far more than Pence did even through Pence and Bush are both republicans. I'm not a fan of Trump, but I like Pence.

@patricksweeney6334 Жыл бұрын

"Cotton sucks I wear polyester shirts." There's organic cotton... unless you're saying that you just don't like cotton.

@mars-gu9pu 3 жыл бұрын

daddy,,,,,

@xyzguy5236 3 жыл бұрын

yes but why should i care

@patricksweeney6334 Жыл бұрын

(chuckling) Should it have had a disclaimer up front? "Caution: Only relevant to those with a functioning conscience and/or sense of compassion for others."

@therealbush7420 6 жыл бұрын

I'm surprised he didn't mention that around 2% of the 14 cents goes to the third world and the rest is pocketed by companies selling fair trade products. Of that 2% none of it goes directly to farmers (it's forbidden) - all of it is supposed to go to the exporters. Also fair trade tends to operate mostly in relatively rich countries (Mexico) hence harming the poorest farmers in third world countries who would actually benefit the most from it. Fair trade is more of a vanity project so white people can be happy with themselves by thinking they're helping the third world. You want to help the poor farmers? Don't buy fair trade.

@RenatoSantos-pe5gp 6 жыл бұрын

Can you justify what you have said? I'm really getting into Fair trade, so i must know if it really is a good or a vanity thing.

@Madebyroe_ 5 жыл бұрын

Hey! Just wondering how you may know this? Or how we can help the people make the products in the other countries more? Really interested in this!

@Madebyroe_ 5 жыл бұрын

Renato Santos Just wondering what your findings on this were! Anything would be greatly appreciated!

@maryakrivopoulou3584 5 жыл бұрын

So what should I buy

@fzamo5941 4 жыл бұрын

Can you please explain why you do not believe in Fair Trade and what is the alternative to help poor farmers in developing countries?

@niloc1ful 6 жыл бұрын

I have no problem with how people want to spend their money. If they like a certain business because of their practices, then more power to them. I have a problem, however, with using government power to determine the wages received by individuals instead of letting the market determine what their wages should be. If all countries were forced to pay their workers a minimum wage, what you would call "fair," you would not decrease inequality, but actually increase it. Fewer products would be purchased because they are more expensive. Fewer workers would be hired because the businesses would not be able to afford to pay the same number of workers the minimum wage. This means you would have greater inequality because fewer people would have access to jobs and less purchasing power to buy more expensive products. If a worker is willing to work for $.50 an hour, who am I to deny them that voluntary agreement with their employer?

@thomaxtube 4 жыл бұрын

niloc1ful One can also ask: Who are you to strive to choose the product that cost a little extra going towards its producer so they can get get pay that pays at least for the basic needs in their area. Your choices are what make or brake these cycles. don’t undermine their power- it’s only you who is growing in the process : the inequality in the world is just a mirror of your choices and you see what you can see when you can see it. before that you are being exploited by the same consumer industry for lack of applying information that is freely available to grow cultivate your discernment. - On what’s is right thing to do -

@patricksweeney6334 Жыл бұрын

"I have a problem, however, with using government power to determine the wages received by individuals instead of letting the market determine what their wages should be." Annnd, where in this talk did you encounter anything about government intervention? Regarding that off-topic point, though, you're seemingly ignoring the normal practice of more powerful nations inflicting "free market forces" on less powerful nations, to reduce wages, environmental laws, etc, to make thier work-force even more affordable for multi-national corporations. Fair Trade supports those seeking to avoid such harmful government-backed "free market" influences.

@brandonbir850 5 жыл бұрын

The statistics stated in the talk are from what? Fairtrade website? Don't drink the juice, Fair Trade is not a silver bullet to end poverty in agriculture-producing countries. The majority of the extra money paid for the product hits the hands of the wealthiest people in the supply chain, not the poorest people. Also, don't confuse a cooperative of farmers with a small-plot farmer. These small farmers cannot afford to participate in many cooperatives or fair trade programs. Good intentions don't equate to positive movement.

@patricksweeney6334 Жыл бұрын

Doesn't have to be a silver bullet to be a step in the right direction. Your thoughts for a better or more significant step in the right direction might be valuable. Feel free to share.

@gentlemenking2973 6 жыл бұрын

Capitalism... sucks.....!!!

@xyzguy5236 3 жыл бұрын

communism will arise

@xduday9608 3 жыл бұрын

COMMUNISM COMMUNISM COMMUNISM

@xyzguy5236 3 жыл бұрын

@@xduday9608 yes stalin will arise and rule over us

@RianeBane 4 жыл бұрын

Ok but...this is one of the least substantial TED talks I've ever seen. He's relying on emotional appeal, and barely explains how the Fair Trade process works. He doesn't provide solid evidence of the positive impact he's suggesting (which does make sense, since the Fair Trade system has been demonstrated to have little to no long-term benefits for growers)

@patricksweeney6334 Жыл бұрын

Regarding the Fair Trade "process", I'd agree with your thought that fleshing it out would've been valuable. That said, the assertion that the system has "been demonstrated to have little or no long-term benefits for growers", if true, and verifiable, would seem relevant. It also seems like the kind of statement Kellyanne Conway would have inflicted on us. Might you have sources?