These are topics of two articles I recently published. I know that some readers here are keenly interested in these subjects and wanted to share this with you. The fair trade labeling system is kind of confusing, to say the least. I took what I knew and distilled it down to its simplest form.

Here’s is a short excerpt from Ethical and Fair Trade Labels Explained

“So, how do craft, fashion or jewelry producing organizations claim to be fair trade? Non-commodity producing, fair trade organizations have options. They can apply to be certified as a “fair trade organization” under the World Fair Trade Organization (http://www.wfto.com/). Essentially, the WFTO is to organization certification what FLO is to commodity (tea, coffee, etc) certification.”

And then I couldn’t help but re-craft a story I had written about ways to be more responsible travelers wherever we go. I don’t necessarily “responsible” as such, mindful is probably a better word. I should have thought of that when I wrote it. Anyway, here is a short excerpt from Socially Responsible Travel Tips:

“Don’t promise anything that cannot be delivered. Travelers, especially new travelers, often become excited or impassioned about helping someone after hearing their story of struggle or poverty, particularly in developing nations. On a whim, travelers may promise to give or do something that, with a day or two’s reflection, may not seem so possible or realistic. It’s better to keep ideas or plans a secret until they’re ready to be realized so as to surprise the person/people so when ready to deliver on the idea or plan.”

Click on the links to read the full articles. Feel free to email this article to anyone you think might be interested in this! Or, if you know someone who needs a nudge to get out of a rut and experience life, send them this story. It might just do the trick.