Some Ethical Vocabulary
We thought we'd try to make some of the 'ethical terms' a little clearer by starting this guide to some of the words you'll see being used.
Fair Trade
The fundamental characteristic of fair trade is that of equal partnership and respect - partnership between the Southern producers and Northern importers, fair trade shops, labelling organisations and consumers.
Northern fair trade organisations agree to:
- provide direct access to the European market for producers' products, avoiding to the greatest possible extent middlemen and speculators;
- pay a fair price that covers producers' basic needs and covers costs of production, and leaves a margin for investment;
- pay part of the price (40-50%) in advance so that producers avoid falling into debt;
- establish long-term working relationships and contracts with producers.
Southern fair trade producers agree to:
- commit themselves to democratic functioning and decision-making procedures within their organisations
- have an activity which is sustainable (economically, environmentally and socially)
- provide acceptable working conditions
- contribute to the development of the community, creating jobs where possible
- In the case of plantations or industrial production units, at least the basic ILO (International Labour Organisation) standards must be respected Much emphasis is put on the fact that development of an export product must not jeopardise local food security
- aim to process the product as far as possible before it is exported, thus obtaining a higher return on sales and gaining additional technical skills.
Alternative trading organisations in the North also take on board additional principles. They agree to provide regular feedback to producers on market trends, fashions, and health and safety regulations so that producers may adapt production. They provide finance and training to build up the management capacity of the producer group; to improve production techniques, and to train producers in new product lines if necessary.
Co-Operatives
All co-operatives are unique, as they take shape around the individuals who form them. They usually all have some features in common though:
- Voluntary and Open Membership.
- No gender, social, ethnical, political or religious discrimination.
- Democratic Member Control
- Members actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.
- Member Economic Participation.
- Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, hte capital of their co-operative.
- Autonomy and Independence.
- Provide education and training for their members and employees and inform the general public about the nature and benefits of co-operation.
- Co-operation among co-operatives.
- Concern for Community.
- Work for the sustainable development of their communities.
Social Firms
Social Firms are committted to the social and economic integration of disabled people through employment. A key means to this end is economic empowerment through the payment of market wages to all employees.
They are supportive workplaces where working enviroment is one that provides all employees with support, opportunity and meaningful work.
Social Firms combine a market orientation with a social mission. The are non-profit organizations, any surplus is used to develop further services and employ more people with disabilities.
Social Enterprises
A social enterprise is, first and foremost, a business. That means it is engaged in some form of trading, but it trades primarily to support a social purpose.
Like any business, it aims to generate surpluses, but it seeks to reinvest those surpluses principally in the business or in the community to enable it to deliver on its social objectives. It is, therefore, not simply a business driven by the need to maximise profit to shareholders or owners.
Social enterprises are diverse and operate at many levels. They include local community enterprises, social firms, mutual organisations such as co-operatives, and large-scale organisations operating nationally or internationally.
Organic Standards
Animal welfare under organic standards: Access to fields, allowed to express natural behaviour patterns, plenty of housing space, confortable bedding and no routine use of antibiotics or other drugs. Which are not necessary because of the more natural living conditions. Homeopathy, hermal remedies, organic feedstuffs and mixture of species are also cornerstones of organic practice.
Biodynamic
An holistic approach to agriculture developed by Rudolf Steiner. It's organic agriculture plus specialized composting, humus-building biodynamic preparations and sprays, green manuring, companion planting and crop rotation. biodynamic farmers recognize and cooperate with the life forces-including the light and warmth of the sun and the rhythmic workings of the moon, planets and stars.