Celebrate World Fair Trade Day with Sir Paul McCartney & Annie Lennox
On Saturday May 9, World Fair Trade Day will celebrate its 60th birthday with a Big Bang.
"Big Bang" is the celebration theme this year, which means everyone's invited to "bang something (anything) with spoons, sticks, hands, fingers, friends, family, neighbours, a crowd, an audience, a solution. Beat poverty beat climate change beat economic crisis."
The day of global celebrations in over 80 countries will kick off at dawn with a solo drummer in New Zealand starting the beat, with the intent to continue the rhythm around the world until reaching Samoa at sunset for the close of the celebrations.
Major supporter of the global event Sir Paul McCartney says, "Fair Trade is essential for millions of people who work and struggle for survival every day. It's all about justice and human rights." The famed Beatle isn't the only star supporter – check out the video from Annie Lennox for more on her take on the Big Bang movement.
Fair trade commerce is a key piece in the environmental puzzle because it means that the people of the global community who make the products we consume and enjoy are receiving fair wages and fair working conditions – it also supports land conservation, women's rights, children's rights and cultural practices.
Aside from banging your drum all day on May 9, you can support Fair Trade everyday by buying Fair Trade products like chocolate, bananas, rice, coffee, sugar, clothing and flowers. Look for the Transfair Fair Trade logo on products in your local stores, or go online to look for Fair Trade retailers close to you.