About the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand
How FTA creates impact
Our members put fair and sustainable trade practices into action at every stage of the supply chain from producer to consumer to support ethical businesses, sustainable practices, and social justice.
We run campaigns and events that inspire conscious choices, tackle modern slavery and child labour, promote alternatives to fast fashion, and support environmentally responsible practices.
Fair Trade vs Fairtrade - what's the difference?
Fair Trade = handcrafted, artisan and manufactured products sold by businesses that follow the World Fair Trade Organisation’s 10 Principles of Fair Trade.
Fairtrade = primary products like coffee, tea and cocoa grown by farming organisations and certified under Fairtrade International.
Learn more at Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand.
What are the 10 Principles of Fair Trade?
Our work follows the 10 guiding principles created by the World Fair Trade Organisation. Every member commits to these principles, which ensure fair pricing, safe working conditions, environmental sustainability and social equity.
1. OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMICALLY MARGINALISED PRODUCERS
Poverty reduction through trade must form a key part of the organisation’s aims. The organisation or business must assist vulnerable producers to move from income insecurity and poverty to economic self-sufficiency and ownership.
2. TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY
The organisation must be transparent in its management and commercial relations.
The organisation finds appropriate, participatory ways to involve employees, members and producers in its decision-making processes.
3. FAIR TRADE PRACTICES
The organisation must have concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalised producers. It is responsible and professional in meeting its commitments in a timely manner. Suppliers respect contracts and deliver products on time and to the desired quality.
4. FAIR PAYMENT
A fair price is one that has been mutually agreed by all through dialogue and participation which provides fair pay to the producers and can also be sustained by the market, taking into account equal pay for men and women and a Local Living Wage.
5. NO CHILD LABOUR. NO FORCED LABOUR
The organisation must adhere to the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child, and local law on the employment of children. Any involvement of children in the production of products is disclosed and monitored and does not adversely affect the child’s well-being.
6. NO DISCRIMINATION. GENDER EQUALITY. FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
The organisation does not discriminate in hiring, remuneration, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement. The organisation has a clear policy and plan to promote gender equality and respects the right of all employees to form and join trade unions of their choice and to bargain collectively.
The organisation provides a safe and healthy working environment for employees and / or members. It complies, at a minimum, with national and local laws and International Labor Organisation’s conventions on health and safety. Fair Trade organisations are aware of the health and safety conditions of their producer groups.
8. CAPACITY BUILDING
The organisation seeks to increase positive developmental impacts for producers through Fair Trade.
Organisations working directly with small producers develop specific activities to help these producers improve their management skills, production capabilities. and access to markets.
9. PROMOTE FAIR TRADE
The organisation raises awareness of the aim of Fair Trade and of the need for greater justice in world trade through Fair Trade. It advocates for the objectives and activities of Fair Trade according to the scope of the organisation.
10. CLIMATE ACTION AND PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Organisations which produce Fair Trade products maximise the use of raw materials from sustainably managed sources in their ranges, buying locally when possible. They use production technologies that seek to reduce energy consumption and where possible use renewable energy technologies that minimise greenhouse gas emissions.
Want to read more about the 10 Fair Trade Principles?
If you want to find out more about the 10 Principles of Fair Trade you can read about them on the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) site.
Our team
Susanna Bevilacqua, Chair
Susanna founded Moral Fairground in 2009 after witnessing the social and environmental impact of mass consumerism in Southeast Asia. She has a banking background and has served on various boards to drive ethical, sustainable, and social impact initiatives.
Karthika Sivarajan, Member
Karthika is the founder of Auroraz Soulful Gifts, which supports and promotes eco-friendly, sustainable products made by women experiencing mental health challenges in lower socio-economic areas of India. Karthika initiated and co-facilitates monthly women’s dialogue circles called VSHARE for South Asian women and has won awards for her community work. She is an IT professional and has studied the circular economy and sustainability strategies.
Katelyn Woods, Member
Katelyn is passionate about encouraging friends, family and community to become involved with fair trade. Katelyn brings experience volunteering with their local community in a variety of roles, and is keen to help build the fair trade movement. Katelyn is a Registered Nurse.
Nina Latino, Treasurer
Nina is the owner of ethical enterprises Milestone Myanmar and Souvenir Kingdom. She is studying for a PhD in international development and is a dedicated advocate for sustainable trading.
Debra Maynard, Member
Debra is a media and communications specialist who has worked with a range of not-for-profit organisations. She has had a longstanding involvement with fair trade as co-founder of WEFTshop, a social enterprise that has supported migrant and refugee artisans from Burma.
Corinne Nash, Secretary
Corinne was instrumental in assisting Bangalow Byron Bay Uniting Church to become a Fair Trade Faith Group and Bangalow to become a Fair Trade Town. She joined fair trade advocate John Martin as co-organiser of the Fair Trade Faith Conference in 2018.
Ira Puspita, Member
Ira is the founder of social enterprise Kayu & Co. She relocated to Australia to study a Masters in social entrepreneurship. Her enterprise focuses on supporting handmade homewares in villages across Indonesia using recycled materials
Join our team
Get involved and make a difference
Volunteers and committee members help steer strategy, run campaigns, and grow the movement locally and regionally. Bring your skills in business, marketing, fundraising, or community engagement to make a difference.
If you are interested in executive committee member positions register at: [email protected]