Fair Trade and Smartphones
Background – what is fair trade?
According to the World Fair Trade Organisation:
"Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect,
that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable
development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of,
marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South. Fair Trade
organisations have a clear commitment to Fair Trade as the principal core of their
mission. They, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers,
awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of
conventional international trade."
Fair Trade is more than just trading:
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It proves that greater justice in world trade is possible.
It highlights the need for change in the rules and practice of conventional trade and
shows how a successful business can also put people first.
It is a tangible contribution to the fight against poverty, climate change and economic
crisis.
Source: http://wfto.com/fair-trade/definition-fair-trade
Warm-Up Starter
List as many products as you can that are available as “fair trade” products, and as
many “fair trade brands” as you can.
When you have finished, you can check your answers here:
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/products.htm
Task – how unfair is your smartphone?
Watch the following videos, provided by Fairphone, an Amsterdam-based social
enterprise trying to revolutionise the Smartphone industry by making our phones
fairer.
Sources: https://vimeo.com/27764234 and https://vimeo.com/107812653
And read the following article from the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine16535620 on “How to offset your conflict mineral guilt”.
Questions
1. Are the issues raised in these videos and articles enough to make you give up
your smartphone? Why? Why not?
2. To what extent should companies such as Apple and Sony care about where
the components for their smartphones come from?
3. Suggest and evaluate three possible policies that could be implemented in
order to make the production of smartphones “fairer”.