Fair Trade Federation

"The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is the trade association that strengthens and promotes North American organizations fully committed to fair trade. The Federation is part of the global fair trade movement, building equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and creating opportunities to alleviate poverty."

For more information about The Fair Trade Federation visit their website.

Chicago Fair Trade

Chicago is working towards becoming a city known for its Fair Trade values and practices. Help Fair Trade Chicago achieve these goals: "Bring fair trade items to your workplace, school, hair salon, lawyer's office, or congregation, and help us become a Fair Trade City.

Fair Trade Resolution for Chicago's City Council states that "the City must recognize the comprehensive labor conditions that may be supported by its actions, including a living wage, sustainable production practices and a work environment free from toxins; and Fair Trade certification is an innovative, market-based system that encourages family sustaining wages and a healthy and safe work environment by identifying food, beverage and handicrafts products that generate economic benefit to the producers of these products often farmers and artisan groups in developing countries."

The next Fair Trade meeting is this fall on Monday, September 21st from 6:00PM- 08:00PMIt would be a great opportunity to become better educated in Fair Trade, how Chicago is working towards its goals and how you can help.

five ACCESSORIES, a Chicago Eco Friendly Boutique, is a member of Chicago Fair Trade.

Education in Cambodia

Cambodia is one of the poorest nations in the world. It has a population of 11.4 million people and a 62% illiteracy rate in the adult population.

16% of all the children ages 6-11 are not in school and in some of the more remote areas this can be as high as 50%.

In a 1999 CSES Survey an estimated 1.6 million (about 25%) of school age children not attending full-time gave household income/work in the rice fields as the number one reason for not being in school. Whereas, only 8% cited the lack of quality accessible education as their primary hindrance in not attending school.

Due to the low participation in higher education, five ACCESSORIES desires to assist these families in educating their children. That is why we give back through the sale of our charity handbags. As pictured, the large messenger bag made in Cambodia from five ACCESSORIES http://tinyurl.com/mpmded