Below is a case for reference - How to promote fair trade in tertiary education? Your concerns may also be the difficulties our interviewee had faced, so how did they overcome these barriers? Fair Trade is not only a social movement but also a practice. Apart form selling fair trade products, Fair Circle puts huge efforts on education, advocacy and putting theories into practice in order to encourage everyone to support fair trade in their society.

Fair Circle invites you to share your experiences and practices to promote fair trade in your place!

Interviewees: Vince (V), James (J), Joe (O), Christians of Evangelical Church of All Blessings
Interviewers: Sze (S), Lung (L), Fair Circle interns
Reporter: Li Wing Sze, intern from Hong Kong Institute of Education

Background
Evangelical Church of All Blessings is a church with around 300 people, they learnt about fair trade through different channels in 2009. Moreover, its sister church - West District Evangelical Church, signed Fair Trade Church Program with Cedar Fund. This influenced the church to promote fair trade in church. Thus suggest it to the committee of the church.

Joe, the executive officer of Evangelical Church of All Blessings shared their experience of putting fair trade idea forward in church. There conducted thorough discussion on the advantages and the difficulties of promoting and implementing fair trade in church. However, what concerned the church most how much does fair trade really help? Does it really improve life of farmers and other producers? Meanwhile, the church invited Fair Circle to introduce the operation of fair trade, which motivate the brothers and the sisters to take actions. In the perspective of administration, the church does no think that it will be a huge barrier to promote fair trade. Instead, by promoting fair trade, would like to let the fellows to learn more about the mission behind fair trade; inspire them to put theories into practice, and care about the people in need over the world.

The Church joined the Fair Trade Church Program*at last. It organized related activities in church, put fair trade snacks in pantry and published related articles on Sunday Service Program. In addition, the Church also encouraged the fellows to order fair trade products as festival gifts. All in all, there are more channels for the fellows to learn and practice fair trade.

Usually, the church will set a goal and target for activities. This time, however, they do not set any, as the church believes ‘Fair trade isn’t an issue , it's daily practice in life.’ Said Vince. By not treating fair trade movement as an independent event, the committee tried to add fair trade elements into daily operation of church. For example, fair trade snacks are put at the church's snacks bar for the fellows. They can enjoy and donate by favor.

Transaction
S: It needs to be careful to do transaction in church. how do you handle it?

V: The church does not gain any profits by selling the products. The snacks bar is operated base on our free donation tradition. We also arranged q&a session with fellow church members who are confused or had misconceptions about fair trade. At last, we reached a consent to support fair trade products.

Human Resources
Lots of churches may concern there will be a need to rearrange manpower in order to promote fair trade in church. However, only Vince & James are responsible for the promotion and operations. No others full time employees are involved. ‘We are not trying to do something very big. We would like to try our best to serve our fellow brothers and sisters and leaves achievement of the movement open-ended to them.'

From action to social justice
The Evangelical Church of All Blessings had invited Fair Circle to to share fair trade movement on an irregular basis. In addition, Vince and James organize collective buying during Christmas and Chinese New Year to encourage the fellows to purchase fair trade products as gifts.

Vince joined Fair Circle to a trip to Sri Lanka, He visited the local producers and fair trade organizations. He shared the experiences in Services and fellowship which further educate the fellows. “ Coincidentally, I came across a book recommended by Christian Times called Buying Brings Changes, It was written by Fair Circle committees. That is inspiring and I grab the chance to promote it in our church news letter.

L: Can you share your experience in promoting fair trade to fellow churches and motivate them join the movement?

V: We understand there are concerns on human resources and other administration issues. However, in our case, only James and I were involved, from operations to promotions. Wish it could relieve the concerns.

Promote Fair Trade in Your Place
From the sharing of Evangelical Church of All Blessings, we can see that promoting fair trade isn’t only a spark, but a long-term action. They are not anything big but just trying their best ‘To do justly and to love mercy’ is not hard. Let begin by taking action. Let your fellowship and church “to do justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your god.”

*Cedar Fund started a Fair Trade Church Program since 2006 and invited churches and organizations to sign the ordinance to support the program. Participants agree to commit the following 3 principles and become a fair church.

1. Use fair trade coffee and tea leaf at all gatherings

2. Use a variety of fair trade products, such as sugar, biscuits and fruits.

3. Promote fair trade movement, e.g Distribute fair trade leaflets and organize related gathering.