28th November, 2006, New Delhi: For the first time in India to deliberate on the Fair Trade Curriculum to be introduced at schools, graduate and post graduate levels, Fair Trade Forum – India is organizing the V1th National Convention between 27th and 29th November 2006. The Convention is organized on the theme “Fair Trade Standards for a Wider Market: Opportunities and Challenges”.
Sri M.V.Rajashekaran, Minister of State for Planning and development (GOI), gave the key address at the inaugural session on 27th. He said “making trade practices fair has an important role to play in the achievement of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals by 2015 through education, awareness raising and practical example”. The minister felt that rural industry has a tremendous role to play in improving India’s economy and in this context making trade fair and just is crucial. The minister acknowledged that government activities need to focus on making export more competitive and strengthening local industry. The other speakers were, Professor Shyam S. Sharma (President FTF-I and pioneer of Fair Trade movement in India), Shri. K. Panchaksharam (Vice Chair for Asia Fair Trade Forum and CEO of SIPA), Ms. Roopa Mehta (Secretary of FTF-I) and Professor Ratna Natarajan. “Education is a means to make consumers aware about the practices of fair trade which imbibes social responsibility of production, dignity of labour and assuring fair and just prices to producers” felt Ms. Roopa Mehta.
The core committee for curriculum development, government representatives and members of fair trade forum- India formulated a road map to be followed to introduce concepts of fair trade at schools and universities. The purpose is to reduce poverty and inequality in Indian society through dissemination of knowledge about the concept and practice of Fair Trade in schools, universities and other higher education institutions. The participants proposed a new approach to poverty reduction through education, social development and raising awareness, which builds on India’s world standing in education and will contribute to giving the deprived sections of India’s society a fair deal. In order to carry out this novel work Professor Ratna Natarajan said “it had to be done in partnership with the Indian Government, Universities and other higher education institutions in India and the United Kingdom, schools, and sympathetic donors.”
Fairness in trade would correspond to a narrowing of the income gaps between countries and between peoples. “It is based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade and contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South” said Professor Sharma. “The concept of fair trade fits beautifully into the key curriculum areas of Citizenship, Management, Business and Economics, Political Studies, etc. and allows students to learn about fairness, social justice and diversity” said Carol Wills (Oxford University). Internationally, Fair Trade concepts are already part of the curriculum in leading Bussiness Schools like Said Business School (Oxford), University of Manchester etc. “It is time to introduce the basics of fair trade is in Indian universities, schools and colleges in order to change attitudes amongst consumers.” said Shri. K. Panchaksharam.