This weeks post will continue on the theme of being a wise consumer. This time we will focus on an organization that contributes to fair trade.
Your adventure trip of a lifetime to Nepal will likely include more than just memories from high altitude adrenaline packed excitement. It will include memories of culture and chaos experienced in city stops along the way. Urban centers around Nepal are packed with small stores selling authentic arts and crafts from local artisans. Many tourists will want to purchase some of these items as souvenirs or gifts. Unfortunately, the chaotic haggling experience can intimidate travelers as they leave the country without all the souvenirs they desired. Fortunately, there is a way you can purchase these items outside of the country while still ensuring your money reaches the hands of local artisans.
The Association for Crafts Producers (ACP) Nepal is a non-profit fair trade organization that employs local Nepali artisans and sells their products internationally on the Internet. This organization contributes to the local economy and fair trade by abiding by the five cornerstones of fair trade.
· Fair Working Conditions: Working as a non-profit the ACP ensures that a large percentage of the profits earned is put back into the pockets of the artisans and local communities.
· Fair Prices: Although the prices will not be as cheap as purchasing items in Nepal, they keep the prices as low as possible given the overhead of paying artisans and shipping all over the world.
· Integration into the Local Economy and Local Resources: The ACP is a major employer of local artisans. They now employ over 1200 artisans and 60 staff members. This is a major stimulation to local economies as all these people would be out of work without the ACP
· Fair Trade Partnership Between All Actors Involved: They create a benefit for both consumer and producer by providing crafts at an affordable cost and giving the majority of the profits to the producers.
· Sustainable Resource Use and Environmental Justice: To preserve the environment, the ACP makes sure the artisans are using tools and resources that are environmentally friendly. They do not use plastic bag, have shifted to water based pigments for printing, substituted acetic acid with hydrochloric acid in dyeing.
The Fair Trade Group Nepal and the World Fair Trade Organization recognize the ACP. Remember that your tourist’s dollars have a voice. Invest in fair trade organizations like the ACP to ensure your money is contributing to local economies and is not harming the environment.
Your adventure trip of a lifetime to Nepal will likely include more than just memories from high altitude adrenaline packed excitement. It will include memories of culture and chaos experienced in city stops along the way. Urban centers around Nepal are packed with small stores selling authentic arts and crafts from local artisans. Many tourists will want to purchase some of these items as souvenirs or gifts. Unfortunately, the chaotic haggling experience can intimidate travelers as they leave the country without all the souvenirs they desired. Fortunately, there is a way you can purchase these items outside of the country while still ensuring your money reaches the hands of local artisans.
The Association for Crafts Producers (ACP) Nepal is a non-profit fair trade organization that employs local Nepali artisans and sells their products internationally on the Internet. This organization contributes to the local economy and fair trade by abiding by the five cornerstones of fair trade.
· Fair Working Conditions: Working as a non-profit the ACP ensures that a large percentage of the profits earned is put back into the pockets of the artisans and local communities.
· Fair Prices: Although the prices will not be as cheap as purchasing items in Nepal, they keep the prices as low as possible given the overhead of paying artisans and shipping all over the world.
· Integration into the Local Economy and Local Resources: The ACP is a major employer of local artisans. They now employ over 1200 artisans and 60 staff members. This is a major stimulation to local economies as all these people would be out of work without the ACP
· Fair Trade Partnership Between All Actors Involved: They create a benefit for both consumer and producer by providing crafts at an affordable cost and giving the majority of the profits to the producers.
· Sustainable Resource Use and Environmental Justice: To preserve the environment, the ACP makes sure the artisans are using tools and resources that are environmentally friendly. They do not use plastic bag, have shifted to water based pigments for printing, substituted acetic acid with hydrochloric acid in dyeing.
The Fair Trade Group Nepal and the World Fair Trade Organization recognize the ACP. Remember that your tourist’s dollars have a voice. Invest in fair trade organizations like the ACP to ensure your money is contributing to local economies and is not harming the environment.
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