Walk for Water in Portland! Celebrate U.N. World Water Day!

March 22 marks UN World Water Day, which is a day to raise awareness about the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Nearly 900 million people worldwide lack access to clean water—and nearly half of those people are children.

On March 24, walkers from around the Portland Metro area will gather at OMSI to celebrate World Water Day with the WALK for WATER. Walkers will collect their water-gathering containers to begin a walk around the Willamette River. Simulating a typical water-gathering experience for women and children in sub-Saharan Africa, walkers will haul water throughout their 3.1mile route. The Walk for Water Celebration continues post-walk back at OMSI where booths showcase community organizations involved with water and related environmental issues, here and abroad.

This year marks the first year for the World Water Day Fun Run, a non-competitive 5k that mirrors the route for the Walk for Water. Participants will start and finish at OMSI, where educational booths and non-profits will help educate everyone who comes out to join us.

Register for the walk HERE, or the fun run HERE. The price is $20 per participant.

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT: Walk for Water & WWD Fun Run

DATE: Saturday March 24, 2012

TIME: Registration opens @ 8:30

Fun Run begins @ 9

Walk begins @ 10

PLACE: OMSI 1945 SE Water Ave.

Portland, OR 97214-3354

The Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement: Oregon Fair Trade Campaign

The Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement

The Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a massive new international trade pact being pushed by the U.S. government at the behest of transnational corporations for completion in 2012. You may or may not have been hearing about it in the news, but it's been going on behind the closed doors of our congressman for months. Local grassroots coalition Oregon Fair Trade Campaign has been working hard to educate Oregonians about the impact of this agreement on communities. Last month, I attended their Community Forum on Corporate Globalization at the AFSCME Union Building on Burnside and 60th where I learned more about the rapid closing of Oregon Paper Mills and spiraling repercussions of NAFTA-style Free Trade Agreements, like this one, that serve two primary purposes:

1. Making it easier for corporations to shift jobs throughout the world to wherever labor is the most exploited and regulations are the weakest; and
2. Putting checks on democracy at home and abroad by constraining governments’ ability to regulate in the public interest.

This will only get worse if we don't take a stand. NOW IS THE TIME.

The Trans-Pacific FTA is already being negotiated between the United States, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, Peru and Chile — and Japan, Mexico and Canada have just indicated their intentions to join. It is also intended as a “docking agreement” that other Pacific Rim countries would join over time, including Taiwan, the Philippines and possibly China.

Corporations already cheering the Trans-Pacific FTA include Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Wal-Mart, Newscorp, GE and Halliburton. It has been questioned — if not outright opposed — by labor, environmental, family farm, consumer, indigenous and other social justice groups on three continents.

Now, more than ever, our Congressman need to hear our voices!

Let them know we don't want to lose more jobs and give more corporations the power to exploit people.

http://www.citizenstrade.org/ctc/oregon/

About ORFTC

The Oregon Fair Trade Campaign is a statewide grassroots organization committed to fighting for trade policy that:

ORFTC’s affiliate organizations represent over 250,000 Oregonians who recognize that trade agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA do not work for Oregon. The coalition was founded in 2004 by the Oregon AFL-CIO and Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club. Coalition partners include labor unions, community organizations and environmental groups.

• prioritizes quality jobs in communities across the state
• creates markets for Oregon products by raising the standard of living in neighboring countries
• enforces consistent standards for labor and the environment across borders
• allows our producers to compete on a level playing field

Spring Eco-Fashions for a fair trade lifestyle ON SALE!

Through this month, all of our Green items are on sale! Head over to the AWAZ shop to pick up a lightweight, spring scarf, or a lovely piece of jewelry that will complement any wardrobe!





This silk scarf is only $19.80! Perfect for the warming weather.

This wonderful necklace and bracelet set is only $27!







This 100% cotton, machine-washable apron is just $21.60!

SHOP NOW! Also, save 15% on all bags through March in support of International Women's Day!

Indian Cinema at Lewis & Clark College

Do you love the color, songs, and drama of Indian cinema? Lewis & Clark College in Portland will be presenting 13 Bollywood films from January 18 – April 25. The subtitled films will be shown at 6:00 PM on Wednesdays in Miller Hall 102. They are free and open to the public. Here is the schedule:

January 18: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

January 25: Lagaan

February 1: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

February 8: Zanjeer

February 15: Dil To Pagal Hai

February 21: Satyam Shivam Sundaram

February 29: Mother India

March 7: Khalnayak

March 14: Roja

March 21: Hum Aapke Hain Kaun…!

April 11: Devdas

April 18: Masala

April 25: Kal Ho Naa Ho

For more information, please visit Bollywood at Lewis and Clark.

March 8 is International Women's Day

Help us celebrate International Women's Day! March 8 marks over 100 years of women celebrating women. At AWAZ, that is our goal--to empower women through education and community.

In India women face an uphill battle for gender equality, and basic human rights. Cultural stigma around working women, widowhood, disabilities, and a womans place in the household can make the everyday life very demeaning for many women. Awaz means VOICE in Sanskrit, a name that embodies our mission and beliefs in giving Indian women the voice they deserve. By working direct with artisan groups we bring you fair trade products that make a differance in a woman's life by providing her income, a sense of self worth, and a place in the community as an artisan.

In honor of this world holiday we are offering 15% off all bags for the month of March!

Many of our bags come from Street Shakti, which means “women power” in Hindi, a group that serves as an income generating program for more than 70 low income women in rural communities outside of Dehradun, in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains.

By purchasing a bag like this one, you are directly supporting real income-producing activities that empower women to educate themselves and become part of a community.

Simply go to our Online Shop and automatically recieve 15% off ANY purchase of a bag! Help us celebrate the wonderful women we work with in India by supporting their work!



Another way you can help celebrate International Women's day is by supporting Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans (OATH). OATH is a local chapter of a national group whose mission is to prevent the exploitation of men, women and youth, by educating and promoting practical community engagement by Oregonians in order to end the tragedy of trafficking.

What can you do? You can sign up to receive OATH's newsletter, become a volunteer with the group, follow them on facebook, and strive to be an advocate for anyone at risk of becoming victimized.

Real Benefits of Fair Trade Highlighted in two studies

There is some positive news from the international Fair Trade community! Two studies have come out in the last two months which highlight the positive, real effect that fair trade has on producers and artisans around the world.

The first is a report from FLO detailing the positive growth of fair trade consumerism and workers/artisans throughout the world in 2010. Fair Trade is now in 63 countries around the world. Sales volume for Fair Trade items--Coffee, Bananas, Cocoa, Flowers and Plants, Tea, and Cane Sugar--all increased, some by as much as 22%. Seed Cotton had a decline in sales volume by 13%. All of these items had an increase in sales income for producers. The number of people working with Fair Trade organizations is increasing as well, with an estimated 1.15 million peple benefitting from their work; that number is expected to have increased to 1.2 million at the end of 2011.
You can read the entire report here.

The second report is a two year study (2008-2010) that was commissioned by the Fairtrade Foundation and was carried out independently by the Institute of Development Studies. This study focuses on banana producers that work under the fair trade umbrella. This study combines real numbers with recommendations on how to make the system better and how to reach a wider consumer base. The information is useful and speaks to the international fair trade community. Some of the critiques brought up in this article--in relation to banana plantations and workers--is that fair trade organizations are not creating new jobs, which is a major concern all over the world. There is also the concern that the volume of fair trade bananas that are sold yearly are not enough to create significant inroads in decreasing economic poverty in many of the countries that were profiled. This speaks to the need to widen the consumer base for fair trade items of all sorts, not just produce/food items.
You can read the entire report here.

One thing that stands out to me is that Fair Trade continues to gain a foothold on the global market every year. It is a viable trade/commerce model that allows for positive impact for producers and consumers. It gladdens me that this movement which I have become so wholeheartedly involved with continues to gain momentum and credibility.

These articles also bring to mind some of the ways the movement can improve for it's producers in developing nations and for consumers. One of the bigger that was brought to my attention was that some fair trade organizations are not creating new jobs; meaning, that fair trade organizations are working to re-tool farms and artisan groups to work within a fair trade model, and do not often create brand new co-ops and groups. I believe that there is a place for both, although it might be easier for a FT org to re-tool already existing organizations and groups. The hope is that once groups have become fair trade, they will have more room to welcome new artisans and farmers.

We welcome your comments! If you have some ideas/thoughts to share about these articles or any other Fair Trade issue, let us know! We would love to hear from you! Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter (@AWAZfairtrade), or email (awazvoice@gmail.com)!

Reflections from the Director, Sarah on the new year and year's past accomplishments

To my dear friends and supporters

Happy New Year and Many Blessings from AWAZ

We welcome this new year with new beginnings and continued growth. We had another year of sales and service and we want to share our accomplishments!

The United Nations has coined 2012 the year of cooperatives. Will you join us in getting behind a movement that empowers economic independence for small producers and supports sustainable consumption?

Our goals this year were to become more well known in the Portland community and increase sales. We succeeded!

Thanks to new partnerships and more community outreach, we had a stronger presence in the greater Portland community last year and our sales grew 20% from the previous year. AWAZ has been a personal journey of mine since 2008 inspired by my passion for women empowerment and social and economic equality. While I miss working directly with communities in India, I feel I’ve helped more people see the problems and create change by buying fairly traded products when they shop. By addressing the root of the problem – our consumption – we can create an economic system that is a tool for empowering women and creating global change.

Thank you all for your ongoing support! Think of AWAZ’s Online Shop when you need a gift!

Over time, I’ve built a solid team of volunteers to support our work and represent the voices of our partner organizations in India. Learn more about Our Team.

We have just appointed our first Sales Manager to help take us into the new year! We’re only helping our partners and making change if we sell their products and can make regular orders – our goal this year: increase orders for our producers in India!!! We are going through some re-branding, revamping our website and producing a wholesale catalog as we speak! Contact Us and let us know some of your favorite stores that might be interested in carrying our products.

We had two Fundraiser Sales for local non profit organizations where we gave 20% of the proceeds to support their missions – Jubilee Oregon and Saint Mark Presbyterian Church. An AWAZ Ambassador hosted our first Fair Trade Home Party in her home this year, as well! Call us to book one for your friend’s birthday or an upcoming holiday gathering – it’s easy, fun and helps more people get to know about AWAZ and fair trade!

I’ve been an active leader for the NWFTC that has been working in partnership with local businesses and community organizations to promote fair trade in Portland collectively. We’ve done a lot of education and awareness building on a united front sponsoring year-long campaigns, events and networking to promote local fair trade.

Northwest Fair Trade Coalition

- 2^nd Annual Portland Fair Trade Marketplace at First Unitarian Church

- ‘Fair Trade Third Thursdays’ Education and Networking Night @ Equal Exchange

- Over 400 Reverse Trick-or-Treating Kits delivered to families to promote fair trade chocolate for Halloween

It’s been an exciting last few years for the fair trade movement as more small producers and their products became part of the supply chain and sales grew as a result of increased demand by consumers.

Globally, sales grew over 2009 by a strong 27% to $5.8 billion, with U.S. sales growing 5% to $1.3 billion, and Canadian sales growing 6% to $330 million. More farmers and producers are adopting sustainable farming practices, fair labor practices, democratic work structures and earning a better living as a result of joining the fair trade system. Learn more at the Fair Trade Resource Network.

Now, you can find more body care, medicinal teas and oils with fair trade ingredients in them – just read the labels at your local groceries and you’ll see! This year, fair trade vodka, gold, gemstones and organic and fair trade cotton were brought into the supply chain.

In India, our groups got increased visibility with the launch of the Indian national Fair Trade brand. The Fair Trade Forum-India is a membership organization representing over 60 artisan and producer organizations around the country to the international fair trade movement, buyers and stakeholders. With all the fragmentation happening in the international movement, producers are uniting to promote their efforts and values together. FTF-I opened Fair Trade Stories in cities throughout India representing their members that sell everything from apparel and home decor, featuring handwoven and embroidered threads to spices coming from women’s cooperatives. All our artisan partners in India are members of FTF-I and I’ve worked closely with them over the years helping some of our partners gain membership and get linked up with the movement.

I had a lot of interest this year for a tour to India for people to visit the organizations we work with, work with them and learn. While we’ve always facilitated Volunteer Work Placements for people, I hope to offer annual delegations to India, possibly starting in the Fall. It would be a great dream to be able to offer this for people. I have a great friend Neena who has opened a yoga ashram near Dehradun who I’m working with to promote her spiritual and healing programs there, nestled nicely in the foothills of the Himalayas. It all is dependent on the interest from you. Spread the word and let us know if you’re ever interested.

So please join us in this movement for change. We all have a Voice and are a voice for empowerment.

Be a Northwest Fair Trade Coalition Member!