Stand up and Speak out.

CIR club & Fair Trade Lebanon at NDU's Open Doors

The Club of International Relations (C.I.R) at the Notre Dame University (N.D.U) took part on the 23rd of April 2010 in the Open Doors event under the theme of “Brain Circus”.

The goal was to link academics and fun while attracting the largest number possible of school students interested in studying Political science, International Affairs, Public Administration and Diplomacy. To concretize the main idea, many partners were necessary.

The CIR club highlighted the concept of “Food Sovereignty” by proposing Lebanese traditional biscuits “kaak” with some Fair-trade Jams offered by “Fair Trade Lebanon”. Brochures and pins encouraging Fair Trade were distributed to students who showed a great interest and enthusiasm in helping underprivileged regions in Lebanon sell their own products.
The club also raised awareness for other issues such as Book Copyrights and Animal protection in Lebanon. Many alternatives were discussed with participants from different schools in Lebanon.

Last but not least, president of the IR club Michele Fenianos tells us “it was nice to discover that teenagers are not only fun-oriented but they are also interested in learning about core issues that play essential roles in their communities. In other words, Brain does not exclude Circus. It simply enlightens it!”.

Much thanks to the club, the activists behind it and the university of NDU!
Never think twice before standing up and speaking out.

Follow CIR on Facebook here and stay updated about their upcoming events.

Tweeting Fair Trade Lebanon

Twitter is a real-time information network powered by people all around the world that lets you share and discover what’s happening now.Twitter asks “what’s happening” and makes the answer spread across the globe to millions, immediately.

"Whether it’s breaking news, a local traffic jam, a deal at your favorite shop or a funny pick-me-up from a friend, Twitter keeps you informed with what matters most to you today and helps you discover what might matter to you most tomorrow."

By following our page @FairTradeLeb you will be able to view, on your twitter home page, very short messages about us that mention our upcoming activities, or link you to our blog, Facebook page etc.

Stay tuned !

Lebanon: Terroirs du Liban at Caliprix !

Fair Trade Stand at Caliprix

Here's the scoop: Fair Trade Lebanon is very proud to tell you that its brand TERROIRS DU LIBAN is now available in Lebanon at Caliprix (Maameltein Highway).

Caliprix has been offering for years products that suit all tastes and cuisines. When there, you will come across our display stand of fair trade produces (syrups, olive oil, condiments, jams, seeds...) and will discover how their variety fully embraces our Lebanese authentic identity.

By purchasing Terroirs du Liban you are directly supporting small producers and contributing to Improving Lives...

Enjoy and Stay tuned for more!!

Call our office for info in Lebanon : 05-952 153

Today is Earth Day!

Ouyoun el Siman

Ehden

Byblos

Mount-Lebanon

Today is earth day, organizations all over the world are praising the protection of the environment. And today I decided to bring you Lebanon, as a piece of heaven.

I could discuss the need for renewable energy, the purpose of recycling, the brilliant European ideas regarding car pooling, green vehicles, environmental policies, water waste management, sustainable houses, organic clothes, organic shampoos (oh yes.), cycling and public transportation, but I'm just not feeling like it.

Today, I will ask you to open your eyes and your heart and take a look at our country through a lens, through the pictures of a photographer. No not just a photographer, but an adventurer and a believer.

Clement Tannouri has spent hours, weeks and months of time searching for absolutely breath-taking views of our land from the sky of Lebanon. His work is illustrated in his book, Liban : Sur la Terre Comme Au Ciel.
Some thank him for showing us what seems to be God’s view of Lebanon from up above; others wonder how is it possible for people to still fight and continue harming this creation.

So yes, it is indeed Earth Day, but tomorrow, is also a day to praise our country and our planet. And no I didn't mention the need for sustainable development in Lebanon for some topics need some serious pessimism and anger to come out properly...but I, today, am rather happy in Lebanon...

Join here Clement Tannouri's group on Facebook.

Promoting Fair Trade in Lebanon

Article by Dana Halawi:

Zurayk praised the role of FTL but said that fair trade in itself cannot remain in the realm of NGO's. "We strive to make changes toward global justice, and this cannot come from only 50 farmers out of 200, 000," he said. Instead, he argued, fair trade can only become powerful when it becomes the dominant form of trade, and everyone should work to achieve that.

Zurayk also exposed the problems facing farmers around the world with respect to commodities such as coffee, rice, and tea. He argued that the stock exchange market, and not the farmers, is setting prices--which often prove to be unfair to farmers.

Read the full AUB News Highlight here.

What if you could change the world?

Coldplay singer, Chris Martin joins efforts with Oxfam for the Make Trade Fair campaign.

"Why campaign on trade?

World trade rules have been developed by the rich and powerful on the basis of their narrow commercial interests. Rich countries and powerful corporations have captured a disproportionate share of the benefits of trade, leaving developing countries and poor people worse off. Trade rules should be judged on their contribution to poverty reduction, respect for human rights, and environmental sustainability.

Instead of robbing half the world of a proper living, trade could help millions of poor farmers and workers in developing countries beat poverty, and change their lives for good.

But this will not happen unless countries change the way they trade.
So we’re campaigning hard to make sure they do." -Oxfam International

More here.



"We forget that we can become part of the influential body ourselves, just by grouping together or speaking louder. If no one speaks, no one shouts then no one does anything. And that's why I speak, that's why I shout and I do my bit and you do your bit and that's how change happens" -Chris Martin.

Mosaic Tripoli

Group discovers the city : visit to the Souk, Mosque, the famous Citadel and the Port of Tripoli.

Pics taken by Kevin, our FTL trainee!

More of Mosaic...

In baalbeck

Wine producer talks to the group about Lebanese agriculture and challenges in the region of Deir el Ahmar.

Enjoying a traditional Lebanese lunch in our partner cooperative in Rachaya – West Bekaa. Sahtein!

Saturday night: Group sleeps at Eco-lodge in Taanayel, a small village reconstructed in traditional methods, promoting sustainable development and authentic living.

Mosaic : Beyond Differences

When you collect small pieces of colored stones and glasses, you get an artistic Mosaic design; when you collect colored individuals, you probably get something that looks like this:

Fair Trade Lebanon has organized a cultural week-end and a fair trade tour for a French group of visitors. Their trip to Lebanon falls under a program called "Mosaic".

Mosaic...because beyond all the differences that exist between societies and cultures, the possibility of sharing one common big picture should never be underestimated.

It is the Lebanese conviviality and mixture of communities that has attracted them to come to this country. Their program includes visits to small producers, rural areas, touristic sites and discussions with professors and diverse important religious figures.

Ahla w Sahla, sharaftouna !

You don't need 500 dollars !

Urgent need to escape?!

Grab your backpack and sunglasses and follow Fair Trade Lebanon.

Yesterday our team chose to work outside of our Beiruti office and chase some nature! We drove up to Deir El Ahmar.

You don't need to pay those 500 dollars to travel abroad and vent out. You got it all right here in Lebanon!

The city can be very overwhelming and our day was a real escape and a reason to look into the core topics of our organization. Today we are at a crossroad in our projects. Diverse opportunities are laying ahead for us.

The whole program had a participative approach, we all shared our impressions and reviewed together our strategies, redefined our objectives for the future and the nature of the image we want to send out.

What is it that we are promoting? Are we only showing our managerial expertise or are we tackling the real deal? Fair Trade is about responsibility. It begins with the small producers we accompany and goes into every other part of the work. Responsibility of starting a project and pursuing it, responsibility of looking for quality and providing it always, responsibility of lifting all of our partners with us, responsibility of preserving our weak land;

We hold on tight to our mission and want to remain a vehicle for our disadvantaged producers. Tempted by their empowerment and working to their benefit.

Back in 2006, Fair Trade Lebanon was a test, a dream for some and a craziness for others. Only 3 people managed it when orders were made, once or twice a year.
Today, we represent a total of 10 people: full timers, coordinators, interns and 5 dedicated founders. Along with the members of the cooperatives, we are one big family.

The brand Terroirs du Liban has crossed many borders and has made it to France, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Holland. All thanks to team work, spirit and belief in Fair Trade and in Lebanon.

Our green journey was very refreshing and has left us all oh so grateful..
Thank You.

Around Town, TimeOut Beirut Magazine lists our event!

I just found out that the magazine Time Out Beirut had listed our event in AUB on their website: it was the conference held on the 10th of March about FAIR TRADE : OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

In their section Around Town, they listed:

"AUB's Human Rights and Peace Club is hosting a conference today about fair trade. Discuss the importance of fair trade in Lebanon and help secure the rights of marginalized producers and workers in our country. Fair Trade Lebanon, a non-profit NGO, wants to offer a viable economic model to the farmers and workers and give you an idea of a day in the life of a worker in Lebanon."

Click on image to access the page.

White coffee... what else?

Spring is here and Fair Trade Lebanon is happy to introduce you its Orange Blossom Water (MaZaher) made from the traditional distillation of orange blossoms, with an alembic still.

Orange Blossom Water is ideal for pastries, confectioneries, pastes and creams. Use it for Lebanese white coffee! very soothing!

If you are in Europe, buy it here.

If you are in Lebanon, head to Saint Rita's House in Achrafieh, Sassine Street (01-320 300).

If you are in Lebanon and would like to order other products as well, we can deliver! Call our office : 05-952153.

Enjoy!