ethical consumerism workshop facilitator package · ethical consumerism workshop facilitator...
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EthicalConsumerismWorkshopFacilitatorPackage
Age:HighSchool(grades9-12)Objectives:
• Understandingofconditionsinourworldwhichleadtoconsumptionpatterns• Explorationofconsiderationstomakewhentryingtoconsumeethically
• Problemsolvingsurroundingchallengestoethicalconsumption
• Explorationofalternativeconsumptionpatterns
TableofContentsHowareweConnected?Activity..............................................................................................….....2QuandaryCardsActivity……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3Alternative-ConsumptionActivity…………………………………………………………………………..………………..8
HowAreWeConnected?ActivityTime:5-10minutes
MaterialsRequired:
Whiteboardorposterpaper
Writingutensil
Instructions:
Explaintothestudentsthatourwholeworldisincrediblyconnectednowmorethaneverbefore.Thismeansthatthingslikecommunication,jobs,andtradebetweenandacrosscountriesisveryeasy;thewordusedtodescribethisis“globalization”.
Ask:Whydoyouthinkglobalizationhasincreasedsignificantlyoverrecentyears?Possibleresponses:internet/socialmedia,abilitytotravelandshipitemsbetweencountriesmoreeasily
Thisworkshopwillbediscussingalotofthewaysinwhichourglobalizedworldimpactshowwepurchaseitems.Wearegoingtobeginwithadiscussionofhowglobalizationinfluencesourlivesinwaysthatwecanalreadyeasilyidentify.
Splitstudentsupintogroupsof4or5,andaskthemtoidentifyasasmallgroupwhichofthefollowingstatementsapplytoanyoftheirgroupmembers:
• Eatenafoodfromanothercountrythisweek• Wearingatleasttwoitemsofclothingmadeinanothercountry• CansayhelloinalanguageotherthanEnglish• Havecalled/facebooked/emailedsomeonelivinginanothercountryrecently
Bringthegroupbacktogether.Askthestudentstoshoutoutthecountriesandlanguagesthatweretheresponsestoallofthequestions.Writeoutalltheseresponsesontheboardsotheycanseetheconnectionwehaveallovertheglobe.
Debrief:
Ask:Doyouthinkglobalizationisagoodthingorabadthing?Explainthatthereareargumentsforbothsides.Globalizationcanbeseenasagoodthingbecauseitallowsmorecountriestoaccessavarietyofgoodsandservices,itprovidesjobsingenerallypoorercountries,anditgenerallyallowsahigherlevelofculturalexchange,whichcanleadtobetterunderstandingofothers.Opponentstoglobalizationsaythatitisdangerousbecauserichercountrieshaveagreatersayinthetypeoftradethatoccurs,puttingpoorercountriesatadisadvantage.Also,therearelessregulationsputinplaceforinternationalcorporationsintermsofprotectingtheenvironmentorhumanrights–sowhowillregulatethis?
Explaintothestudentsthatpartofbeingethicalconsumersisthinkingmorebroadlyabouttheimpactthatourpurchasesarehavingonothersevenifthisimpactisfeltinacountryfarawayfromus.
QuandaryCardsActivityTime:10-15minutes
MaterialsRequired:
4quandarycards
AdaptedfromTheBritishCouncil,2013TeachingEnglish
Instructions:
Askthegroupiftheyknowwhataquandaryis.Explainthatitislikeadilemmaoraproblem,andoftentimeswhenwearetryingtobeethicalconsumers,wefindourselvesinquandaries.Wefindourselvesinthesetoughsituationsbecausesometimesitishardtoconsiderallwhowillbeimpactedbyourpurchase,evenwhenwetrytobeinformed.
Splitstudentsupintofourgroups,andprovideeachgroupwithahandoutsheetthathasascenarioonit.Askthemtoreadthescenariointheirgroupanddiscussthequestionsonthesheet.
Allowthestudentsabout5minutestodothis,andthenbringtheconversationbacktothelargergroup.
*Iftightontime,cutthispartout*Askeachgrouptoreadtheirscenarioandprovidetheirresponsetothefirstquestiononthesheettothebiggroupsoeveryonehearseachscenario.
Debrief:
Explaintothestudentsthatshoppingethicallyisnotalwayseasy,infact,mosttimesitisreallyhardtodo,becauseaswearegoingtotalkaboutinasecond,theeconomicsystemthatwearein(calledcapitalism)makesitreallyhardforustovalueethicswhenwemakepurchases.
Remindthestudentsthatbeingabletoshopethicallyisaprivilege,andnoteverybodyisabletodothefollowing:
• havingtheabilitytoaffordoftentimesmoreexpensiveitems• havingtheabilityandknowinghowtoaccessinformationoncertaincompaniestoinformyour
purchase• havingtheabilitytoshopindifferentplaces,whetherthatisonline,ordrivingfurthertogotoa
differentstoretomakeamoreethicalpurchase
Therefore,weshouldnottakeamoralhighgroundifwedecidetomakeethicalpurchases.Instead,weshouldencouragethosearoundustoeducatethemselvesaccordingly,anddowhattheycantomakeethicaldecisions.
Quandary1:YouloveenjoyingCoolWhipondessertsatfamilygatherings.Yourfamilyfrequentlybuytubsofittoenjoyonfruit,pies,orcakesbecauseitscheapandprettymucheasytofindatmostgrocerystores.YoursisterhasstartedsuggestingyourfamilybuysfromadifferentbrandnowbecausesheknowsKraft(thecompanythatownsCoolWhip)hasunethicalpractices.ShesaysthattheysupportproducerswhocutdownhugeareasoftherainforestinSoutheastAsiatomakespaceforpalmplantationstoproducepalmoil,whichgoesintheCoolWhip.Shesuggestsyourfamilystartsbuyingamoreexpensivebrandthathascommittedtostopusingpalmoilinitswhipdesserttopping.Whatdoyoudo?Doyou:
• JoinyoursisterandconvinceyourparentstostopbuyingCoolWhip?• Notmakeabigdealofit,butwheneveryougogroceryshopping,choosesomething
different?
• BoycottallKraftproductsasastatement?
WhatdoyouthinkwouldbeaneffectivewaytochallengeKrafttopressurethemtostopusingpalmoilintheirproducts?
Quandary2:Youlovechocolateandhaveafavouritechocolatebarthatyoueatquiteoften.Youjustsawsomebodypostanarticleonfacebookaboutthecompanythatmakesyourfavouritechocolatebar.ItdeclaredthattheypayverylittletotheworkerswhoproducethecocoainSouthAmerica.Ininsomecases,theproducerscan’tsurviveandtheirfamiliesaresuffering.Whatdoyoudo?
Doyou:
• Decidethearticleisn’tworthlisteningtoandtrytoforgetwhatyouread?
• Writealettertothecompany?
• Stopbuyingchocolatefromthatcompany?
Youknowthecompanysellsmillionsofchocolatebarsallovertheworld,sodoyouthinkyoudecidingtonotbuyfromthemanymorewillreallymakethatmuchofanimpact?
Quandary3:Youhaveafavouritebrandofshoesthatyoulove.Youhaveaskedyourparentsforapairofthemforyourbirthdaypresent,andyouknowtheyhavealreadyboughtthem.LastnightyousawadocumentaryontheTVthatshowedwherethisbrandofshoesaremadeandyousawthattheyaremadeinhugefactoriesbychildrenwhohavetowork14hoursperdayandaretreatedbadly.Whatdoyoudo?
Doyou:
• Askyourparentstoreturntheshoeseventhoughyouknowtheywon’tgetalltheirmoneyback?
• Stillaccepttheshoesbecauseitwasn’tyourmoneyspentunethically?
• Accepttheshoesbuttellyourparentsyoudon’twantanymoreitemsfromthatcompanyinthefuture?
Whydoesreceivinggiftsmakeithardtoalwaysbesurethethingsyouaregettingareethical?
Quandary4:YouandyourfriendsheadtothemallonFridayafternoonafterschooltofindacutetopforapartythatweekend.Youseethereisasaleonatoneofthestoresyouusuallygoto–2shirtsfor$15.Thisworksgreatforyourbudget,becauseyouonlyhave$20tospend.Youfeelunsureofwheretheshirtsarecomingfromandwhoismakingthem,afterall,lessthan$8foroneshirtseemsreallycheap,butyoualsoonlyhavesomuchmoney.Whatdoyoudo?
Doyou:
• Getthetwoshirtsfor$15,gettingtwotodaymeansthatyouwon’thavetospendmoremoneyonpossiblyunethicalpurchasesassoonasifyouhadonlyboughtoneshirttoday.
• Notbuyanythingatthemallbecausenothingthatyouknowforsureisethicalisunder$20–eventhoughthismeansbeingtheonlyoneoutofyourfriendstonothavesomethingnewtowear
• Buythetwoshirtsfor$15,butonceyou’rehomeyoudosomeresearchintothestoretofindoutiftheshirtswereethicallymade.Iftheyweren’t,youreturnthem.
Choosingtomakeethicalpurchasesoftenmeansspendingabitmoremoney,whichsometimesisreallytoughifyouonlyhavesomuchmoneytospend.Isitfairforustojudgepeoplewhoshopatstoreseveniftheyknowitisunethicallyproduced?
Alternative-ConsumptionInfographicActivity+GalleryWalkTime:25mins
Materialsrequired:
5informationpackagesforgroups
5largepiecesofposterpaper
Selectionofmarkers
Tapeorstickytac
Instructions:
Dividestudentsintofivegroups(iftheyhaveaspecificareaofinterestofanyofthetopics,theymaychoosetheirgroup).Provideapackagetoeachgroup.Allowstudentsabout20minutestoreadovertheirwholepackageintheirsmallgroupandorganizeitontoaninfographicthattheywillcreate.
Onceinfographicsarecompleted,tapethemuponthewallorlaythemontablessotheyarereadable.Askthestudentstotakeafewminutestowalkaroundtheroomandcheckoutallofthedifferentinfographics,learningaboutthedifferentalternative-consumptiontechniquesthrougha“gallerywalk”.
Debrief:
Askthestudentstoreturntotheiroriginalseatsafterlookingatalltheinfographics,andasalargegroup,discussthefollowingquestions:
Couldyouseeyourselftryinganyofthetechniques?Whichones?
Didanyofthetechniquesseemnotveryuseful?
Doyouthinkifmanypeoplechosetousethesealternativemethods,ratherthannormalconsumptionhabits,wewouldbeabletohaveapositiveimpactonourworld?
AlternativeConsumptionGroup1:SecondHandEconomy
Readoverallofthematerialsinthispackagetolearnmoreaboutsecondhandshopping,andhowthisisanoptionwhenwearetryingtobeethicalconsumers.Usetheknowledgeyougainedthroughthesematerials(plusanyotherknowledgeyoumightalreadyhave)toorganizealife-sizedinfographicforyourclassmatestoread.
Besuretoincludethefollowinginformation:
Whatisyouralternative-consumptionmethod?(Provideabriefdefinitionofsecondhandshopping).
Whataresomepotentialproblemswithorbarrierstopeoplebuyingsecondhand?
Doessecondhandshoppinghaveanyimpact(positiveornegative)onotherpeople,animals,ortheenvironment?
AdditionalReflectionQuestions:
Whereplacesorwhatarewaysthatyoucouldpurchasesecond-handitemsotherthanthriftstores?
Shoppinginthesecondhandeconomymeansthatyouarepurchasingitemsthatareresoldbyotherswhopreviouslyboughttheitem.Anotherwordcommonlyusedwhentalkingaboutbuyingitemssecondhandis“thrifting”,orshoppingatthriftstores.
Shoppingsecondhandistypicallythoughtofasbeingbeneficialforseveralreasons:Cost:Buyingitemssecondhandalmostalwayscostslessthanpurchasingthesameitemnew.
Environmental:Buyingitemsthatarebeingresoldmeansthatyouarepossiblypreventingtheitemfromjustbeingsenttoalandfill.
Youknowwhereyourmoneyisgoing:Whenpurchasingdirectlyfrompeoplewhoareresellingitems(fromplaceslikeebay,kijiji,oramazon),themoneythatyouarepayingfortheitemisgoingdirectlytoaperson,andnottoapotentiallydangerousorunethicalcompanyorcorporation.Whenpurchasingitemsfromsecond-handshops,mosttimesthemoneyisgoingtosupportcharitiesorotherprogramstobettercommunities.
Therearesomepossibledownsidestothewholesecondhandeconomythough:Stigma:Buyingsecondhandclothingsometimesbringswithitajudgmentaboutwhatsomebodycanorcannotafford
Whathappensifwedon’tbuyit?Ifthereareitemsthatarenotpurchasedatsecondhandshops,itiscommonpracticeforthemtobesenttocountriesoverseastoberesoldagain.ThisiscommonplaceinseveralEastAfricancountries,andhastakensuchatollonthelocaltextileindustry,thatfivecountrieshaveproposedabanonimportingsecondhandclothing,inordertostrengthentheirlocalclothingmarket.
Whatifweallshoppedsecondhand?Manysmallthriftstoresexistinlow-incomeneighbourhoods,andcatertotheneedsofthosewholiveinthearea.Thismeansthattheywilloftenhaveverylowpricesonsecondhanditems,becausethisiswhatthoseintheareaareabletoafford.Ifallpeopleweretoonlystartshoppingatthesethriftstores,itmightimpacttheselectionofclothingavailableforthosewhoneedthelowerprices,oritmightencouragestorestoincreasetheirprices,thusmakingitemsinaccessibleforlow-incomeshoppers.
SellingthePoor:thePoliticsofValueVillageEmmaMcKenaTheCommunityEditionJanuary6,2017(Waterloo,Ontario)
Inthepasttwodecades,second-handclothinghas—likemanyotherculturalobjectsofthepoor—becometrendy,covetedandhip.Thereisnowaburstinglocalmarketofvintageclothingshops,internationalonlineretailersandevencommercialcorporationslikeUrbanOutfitterssellingusedand“revamped”items.Whilemanysecond-handstoresoftendocontributetocharity,buildcommunityanddecreasedependencyontheglobalsweat-shopeconomy,whenitcomestothemassiveretailcorporationValueVillage—wheretheresellingofdonatedusedclothingisacorporatestrategymarketedtopoorpeople—itiscriticaltoexamineValueVillage’sactualpoliticsandtheireffectsonlow-incomecommunities.
Ontheonehand,thesearchforcoolsecond-handgoodshasledtoanincreaseofmiddle-andupper-classpeopleshoppingatValueVillage.Thisexpansionofitsdemographichascertainlynormalizedwearingsecond-handclothes.Thisnormalizationhasperhapsledtoadecreaseinthestigmathatpoorandworking-classpeoplemayexperiencewhentheirclothingisnotvisiblynamebrand,fromthemall,highquality,ortrendy.However,thishasalsoledtotheincreasingpricesofValueVillageandothersecond-handstoreswhoaretakingadvantageofadevelopingmarketwheresellingsecond-handclothesdemandsverylittlelabour,resultinginhighprofitlevelsfortheoriginalownersoftheproducts,theownersandinvestorsofValueVillage.
ValueVillageisactuallyownedbyalargeAmericancompanycalledSavers,whoareoneofmanycorporationsownedbytheconglomerateTPGCapital.OneoftheimpactsofValueVillagebeingoneofmanycompaniesownedbythismulti-layeredcorporationisthattheprofitsfromValueVillageneedtotravelallthewayuptoTPGCapital.MeaningValueVillageneedstomakeahugeprofit.Bysellingatahighpriceitssurpluscommodity,ValueVillagecanmaintainitsworkersatminimumwage,payadministrators,donatesomethingtocharity(exactlywhichcharityandhowmuchisbeingdonatedisunclear),andfinally—mostimportantly—payoutitswealthyinvestors.
MylocalValueVillage,likesomanyValueVillages,islocatedinaneighborhoodthatisonthebusycity-busline,andisannexedbetweenlow-incomerentalunitsandsmallprivateproperty.ThisparticularValueVillageisthereforesituatedwithinalow-incomecommunityand,throughitsmarketingstrategy“BuyMore,SpendLess”hasadvertiseditselfaseconomicallyaccessibletopoorandworking-classpeople.However,theactualproductsinsideValueVillagearemarkedverydifferentlyfromthestore’sclaims.ValueVillageisnotfulfillingitsclaimtohelpcommunitieswheninrealitythepricingoftheusedgoodsisofteneconomicallyinaccessible,allthewhilerequiringcustomerstodothephysicalworkofrootingthroughoftenworn-out,stained,andbrokenmerchandisetofindsomethingaffordable.Overthepast10years,thepricesatValueVillagehavebecomeinconsistentlyanddrasticallyhigh,sometimesmoreexpensiveeventhanthoseverysameclothingitemspurchasednewfromdiscountretailerslikeArdene,Sirens,Wal-MartandJoeFresh.
ItistimethatValueVillagechangesitseverydaybusinesspracticestoreflectitsmissionstatementandtheneedsoflow-incomecommunitymembers.Butwecan’texpectValueVillagetodothisonitsown,
asitisinvestedmostofallinprofit.Locally,wecansupportthe$15andFairnesscampaignorlearnmoreaboutthegrowinglivingwagemovementinSouthernOntario.Or,wecanchoosetodonateourusedgoodstoactualnon-profitsliketheWorkingCentreorMCC’sThriftonKent,whereprofitsareusedtosupportsocialprograms.
AlternativeConsumptionGroup2:SharingEconomies
Readoverallofthematerialsinthispackagetolearnmoreaboutsharingeconomies,andhowthisisanoptionwhenwearetryingtobeethicalconsumers.Usetheknowledgeyougainedthroughthesematerials(plusanyotherknowledgeyoumightalreadyhave)toorganizealife-sizedinfographicforyourclassmatestoread.
Besuretoincludethefollowinginformation:
Whatisyouralternative-consumptionmethod?(Provideabriefdefinitionofasharingeconomy).
Whataresomepotentialproblemswithorbarrierstopeoplebecominginvolvedinasharingeconomy?
Dosharingeconomieshaveanyimpact(positiveornegative)onotherpeople,animals,ortheenvironment?
AdditionalReflectionQuestions:
Howdoessharingwitheachotherinsteadofpurchasingforourselveschangewhatwetypicallythinkaboutgettingnewitemsandcommunity?
Whatroledoestechnologyplayinthesuccessofsharingeconomies?
SharingEconomies&UnusedValueSharingeconomiesallowpeopletoshareitemsandserviceswitheachother,usuallyatalowercostthanifthesamethingsweretobeboughtnormally.Othertermsusedtodescribeitinclude“shareconomy”,“peer-to-peereconomy”,and“collaborativeconsumption”.
Itexistsatdifferentlevels–fromwebsitesthatconnectpeoplewholiveinthesameneighbourhoodwhoareabletolendouttoolstothosewhoneedtotemporarilyborrowthem,tolarge-scaleserviceslikeUberthatconnectpeoplewhoneedrideswiththosewhohaveacarandareabletodrivethemwheretheyneedtogo.
Sharingeconomiesarebasedonthebeliefthatunusedvalueiswastedvalue.Unusedvalueisthetimethatitemsthatwepurchaseareleftunused.Thinkaboutit,youmightbuyalawnmowerbecauseyoumovedintoahousewithayardthatneedstobemowed.Youdon’tspend24hoursofeverydaymowingthatlawn(thatwouldbeabitridiculous).Youmightonlyuseitonceaweek–leavingituntouchedfortheothersixdaysoftheweek.
Sharingeconomieswouldseethisasanopportunitytotransformthewastedvalueinthosesixdaysintousablevalue,wherethelawnmowercouldbesharedwithothersinyourneighbourhoodwhoalsohavealawntheyneedtomow,butwhoonlyneedtouseitonceaweekalso.
5waysthe“sharing”economyworksagainstworkersErikSherman,August18,2014,Moneywatch
Theso-calledsharingeconomyisoftentoutedasanunequivocalgood.Advocatesdescribeitasawayforordinaryconsumerstoearnincomefromtheircars,apartmentsandotherpersonalassets,whilealsofosteringanewclassofInternetcompaniestocompetewithold,staticindustries.
YetifflourishingnewbusinessessuchasUberandAirbnbaremakingitbigbycuttingtheiroverheadandsidesteppingregulations,andifcustomersaresavingmoney,thebenefitsforworkersinthesharingeconomyaredecidedlymoremixed.Herearefivewaysinwhichtheallthissharingandgiggingcandisadvantageworkers:
Stability.OnekeydifferencebetweentraditionalemployersandtheInternetcompaniespioneeringthesharingeconomyisthatthelattercan'tpromisetheiremployeessteadyincome.Afterall,apaycheckdependsonhowwellagivenappmatchespotentialclientsandthoseprovidingresourcesorservices.Workersalsodon'tknowwhenorwheretheywillwork,whileacceptingsomeshort-termprojectsorassignmentsmightprecludetakingonmorelucrativework.Ajobmaywelloffermoreflexibility,otherwords,butthatoftencomesattheexpenseofhavingpredictableworkhours.
Income.Manyofthetechcompaniesfacilitatingtheconnectionsbetweenclientsandworkersboastabouttheamountofmoneysomepeoplemake.Forexample,Uberhassaiditsdriverscanmakeupto
$90,000inNewYorkandthatthemediangrosspayforoneclassofdriversinSanFranciscois$74,191fora40-hourweek.
Butsuchnumberscanbedeceiving.Companiesmaymentiontop-endpayoragrossamountforallworkers.Infact,thepayforgigsappearsnotonlyfarmoremodest,butoftennowherenearalivingwage.
Meanwhile,evenwhenthecashseemsgood,muchofthecostofrunningthebusinessfallsonworkers.Ride-sharingdriversmustpayforwear-and-tearontheirvehicles,gasandcommercialinsurance.Othersjumpingfromonejobtothenextmustabsorbthetransportationcosts,expensefortoolstodothework,phoneservice,accounting,healthinsuranceandtaxes.
Bythismeasure,evenannualincomeof$90,000looksfarlesslucrativeifathirdormoreofthemoneycomesoffthetop.
Benefits.Mostemployersinthesharingeconomydon'tofferbenefitsbecausethedrivers,maidsandotherworkersintheseindustriesaren'temployees.Theytypicallygetnopaidsickorvacationdays,401(k)plans,healthinsuranceorlifeinsurance.
Asaresult,workersmustpayfortheirownbenefits,whicheatsintoincome,ordowithoutthem.AlthoughtheAffordableCareActdoesofferindividualsawaytogethealthinsurance,manybenefitpackagesavailabletoself-employedpeoplearemorecostlythantheoptionsforcorporations,meaningthatthelosscanbeevengreater.
Control.Thecompaniesthatprovidesuchservicesoftenemphasizethecontrolpeoplehaveovertheirtime,andforsomeworkersthatflexibilitycanbeamajorplus.Yetunpredictablehoursandunstableincomecanunderminethatautonomy.Meanwhile,suddenshiftsinacompany'spoliciesorprocedurescanmakelifedifficultforworkers.
Protection.AkeyadvantageforcompanieslikeUber,LyftandAirbnbisthattheyarelargely,ifnotentirely,unregulated.Yetthatisstartingtochange.MunicipalitiesandstatesaroundtheU.S.arenowweighingwhetherandhowtoleveltheplayingfield.Thelegalandregulatoryrepercussionscouldendupfallingmoreheavilyonthedrivers,rentersandotherindividualswhoparticipateinagivensectorthanonthetechcompaniesprovidingtheonlineframeworkforbusiness.
AlternativeConsumptionGroup3:‘Swapping’items
Readoverallofthematerialsinthispackagetolearnmoreaboutswappingitems,andhowthisisanoptionwhenwearetryingtobeethicalconsumers.Usetheknowledgeyougainedthroughthesematerials(plusanyotherknowledgeyoumightalreadyhave)toorganizealife-sizedinfographicforyourclassmatestoread.
Besuretoincludethefollowinginformation:
Whatisyouralternative-consumptionmethod?(Provideabriefexplanationofwhatitmeanstoswap).
Whataresomepotentialproblemswithorbarrierstopeopleswapping?
Doesswappinghaveanyimpact(positiveornegative)onotherpeople,animals,ortheenvironment?
AdditionalReflectionQuestions:
Inwhatwaysdo‘swap’eventschangethewaythatwethinkaboutconsumptionandcommunity?
Doyouthinkitwouldbepossibleforusasasocietytoonlyswapasameansofexchanginggoods?
Swapsareawayforpeopletoexchangeitemsthattheystillvaluebutthattheynolongeruse.Mostcommonareclothingswapswherepeoplecanattend,bringingclothing,shoesandaccessoriesthatarestillingoodconditionbutthattheynolongerwearandswapthemforotheritemsthatothershavebrought.
Swapscanhappeninpeople’shomes,orinpublicspaceslikeparksorcommunitycentres.Thespaceissetupinsectiondividedbyclothingitem,andpeopleplacetheitemsthattheybroughtinthecorrectareaandthenareabletolookthroughalloftheotheritemsbrought.
Sometimesswapshaveasmalldonation“covercharge”thatgoestoalocalcharityorcommunitygroup.Inthisway,swapsarenotjustaboutthepeoplewhoareattendingbutalsoforotherpeopleintheircommunities.
SwappingandCapitalismCapitalismplacesaheavyemphasisonindividualrights,focusingontheneedforpeopletoworkhardtogainsuccessforthemselvesasindividuals.Capitalismdoesnotfocusmuchontheneedforpeopletocometogetherincommunity,andforcommunitiestoworktogethertoachieveequalityforall.
Hostingaswapcontradictsthisveryidea,becauseitrequiresustocometogetherincommunity,andshareresourcesthatwealreadyhavewithoutcontributingtolargecompaniesthatmakealotofmoney.Itencouragessharingofresourcesthatwealreadyhave,inareciprocalway,sothatallpeoplecanwalkawayfromtheswaphavingbenefitted.
Swapsalsooftenhaveasocialcomponenttotheevent.Forexample,bringingafoodordrinktosharewithfriendsisoftenapartofattendingaswap,sothatpeoplecancometogethernotonlyforthe“shopping”experience,butalsoforthesocial,communitydevelopingexperience.
Thewaymanyclothingretailersproduceandsellclothingthesedaysisconsidereda“fastfashionindustry”,inwhichthereisaveryhighturnoverrateintheclothingthatstoresareselling.Inaddition,theclothingthatisbeingsoldisoftenofverylowquality,anddeemedoutofstylequitequickly.Thisisawayinwhichcapitalismencouragesustocontinueconsuming:itfrequentlyshowsusnewproductsthatarenewandattractiveandalthoughtheyaren’tmadeverywell,theyalsodon’tcostverymuch,sowecanpurchaseanewshirtandskirtoneweekandthrowitouttwoweekslaterbecausewecangorightbacktoForever21togetanewonethatiscoolerandfreshlooking.(perceivedobsolescence).
Swapschallengethis,becausetheyaretakingthepowerawayfromthecompanieswhoaretellingustokeeppurchasing,andinsteadwearegivingthatpowerbacktoourfriendsandpeerswhenwesharewiththem,takingthingsawayfromthelandfill,andkeepingourmoneyinourpockets.
AlternativeConsumptionGroup4:FairTrade
Readoverallofthematerialsinthispackagetolearnmoreaboutfairtrade,andhowthisisanoptionwhenwearetryingtobeethicalconsumers.Usetheknowledgeyougainedthroughthesematerials(plusanyotherknowledgeyoumightalreadyhave)toorganizealife-sizedinfographicforyourclassmatestoread.
Besuretoincludethefollowinginformation:
Whatisyouralternative-consumptionmethod?(Provideabriefdefinitionoffairtrade).
Whataresomepotentialproblemswithorbarrierstopeoplefairtrade?
Doesfairtradehaveanyimpact(positiveornegative)onotherpeople,animals,ortheenvironment?
AdditionalReflectionQuestions:
Howisfairtradedifferentthenprovidinginternationalaidetoworkerswhoarestrugglingfinanciallyincountriesaroundtheworld?
Howdoyouknowifsomethingthatyouarebuyingisfairtradeornot?
WhenyoubuyproductswiththeFAIRTRADEMark,yousupportfarmersandworkersastheyworktoimprovetheirlivesandtheircommunities.TheMarkmeansthattheFairtradeingredientsintheproducthavebeenproducedbysmall-scalefarmerorganizationsorplantationsthatmeetFairtradesocial,economicandenvironmentalstandards.Thestandardsincludeprotectionofworkers’rightsandtheenvironment,paymentoftheFairtradeMinimumPriceandanadditionalFairtradePremiumtoinvestinbusinessorcommunityprojects.
Fairtradeworkstobenefitsmall-scalefarmersandworkers,whoareamongstthemostmarginalizedgroupsglobally,throughtraderatherthanaidtoenablethemtomaintaintheirlivelihoodsandreachtheirpotential.
Inanincreasinglyglobalisedworldourlivesarebecomingmoreinterwovenwithpeoplearoundtheworld,throughthewaywedobusiness,theproductswebuyandtheholidayswetake.Yetahugegulfofsocialandeconomicinequalitiesstillexists.Manypeopleareleftwithoutaccesstobasicnecessities–food,water,housing,educationandhealthcare.Globaltrade–andmorespecifically,thesystemof
‘freetrade’–canhavenegativeimpactsonsmallholderfarmers,whocannotcompetewithlargercompaniesandglobalmonopolies.Thiscanresultinfarmershavingtoselltheirproductsforaverylowcost.Thiscanmeanmanypeopleareforcedintopoorworkingconditions,lowpay,unsafeworkingconditionsandexploitativepractices,astheyhavelittlechoice.‘Fairtrade’isanalternativemarket-basedapproachtotradethatcounteractsthe‘freetrade’system.Itisasystemofeconomicdevelopmentthataimstogiveproducers(especiallyindevelopingcountries)alivingwageandenablethemtomakebettertradingconditionsandpromotesustainability.Ethicalcertification(throughorganisationssuchasFairtrade,RainforestAllianceandUTZCertified)isaprocessbywhichassurancescanbemadethatproductsaretradedfairly.Therearemanydemonstratedexamplesoffarmersandfarmingcommunitiesreceivinghigher,moresustainableincomesasaresultofthe‘fairtrade’system.
ResearchfindsFairtradefailsthepoorestworkersinEthiopiaandUgandaMay24,2014,SOASUniversityofLondonFairtradecertifiedcoffee,teaandflowersdonotimprovelivesoftheverypoorestruralpeopleinEthiopiaandUganda,accordingtoafour-yearresearchprojectconductedbyleadingdevelopmenteconomistsatSOAS,UniversityofLondon.Theprojectstudiedrurallabourmarketsinareasproducingcropsforexport,underdifferentinstitutionalconditionsthatincluded,insomeresearchsites,Fairtradecertification.
Lowpayforwageworkers,particularlywomen,andlimitedaccesstoschools,healthclinics,improvedsanitationandothersocialprojectsinruralareaswereamongthefindingsin‘Fairtrade,EmploymentandPovertyReductioninEthiopiaandUganda’,areportpublishedtoday.Teamsofhighly-trainedfieldworkersstudiedwagesandworkingconditionsintwelveareasgrowingcoffee,teaandflowersinEthiopiaandUganda.Aswellasreviewingexistingstudies,theresearcherscollectednew,detailedmicro-levelcomparativeevidencefromareasproducingagriculturalexportsonhowrurallabourmarketsaffectpoorpeople’slives.
Keyfindingsfromthereport:• MostruralpeopleinEthiopiaandUgandaenjoyamuchhigherstandardoflivingthanseasonaland
casualagriculturalwageworkers.Inruralareas,manualagriculturalwageworkersaretheverypoorest.• WhereFairtradeflowersweregrown,andwheretherewerefarmers’groupssellingcoffeeandteainto
Fairtradecertifiedmarkets,wageswereverylow–especiallywomen’swages.Infact,wagesinothercomparableareasandamongcomparableemployersproducingthesamecropsbutwheretherewasnoFairtradecertificationwereusuallyhigher.ThiswasnotbecausetheFairtradecertifiedcooperativeswereinmoremarginalised,deprivedareas.
• InsomeareasdominatedbyFairtradecertifiedcooperativesworkersinthesamplesdidappeartohavegreateraccesstosomefringebenefits(e.g.,freemealsintwosites,oronothersitesmoreaccesstoloans)thanworkersinareaswithoutFairtradecertification.Evenhere,though,otheraspectsofworkconditionswereoftenworse.
• Thefindingsonlowerwagesheldtrueevenaftertheeffectsofscaleandotherdifferencesacrossworkersandsitesweretakenintoaccountindetailedstatisticalanalysis,contrarytotheclaimsmadeintheFairtradeFoundation’sownstatementaboutthisresearch.
• Fairtradepublicisesitscontributiontothefundingofschools,healthclinics,improvedsanitationandother“socialprojects”inruralareas.Fromhoursofquantitativeandqualitativeinterviewswith
respondentsandothers,includinginsomecasescooperativemanagers,theSOASresearchersfoundthatthepoorestoftenhadnoaccesstothese‘community’facilitiesintheresearchsites,evenwhentheywereorhadbeenwageworkersontheprocessingstationsorforproducermembers.
AlternativeConsumptionGroup5:RepairCafés
Readoverallofthematerialsinthispackagetolearnmoreaboutrepaircafés,andhowthisisanoptionwhenwearetryingtobeethicalconsumers.Usetheknowledgeyougainedthroughthesematerials(plusanyotherknowledgeyoumightalreadyhave)toorganizealife-sizedinfographicforyourclassmatestoread.
Besuretoincludethefollowinginformation:
Whatisyouralternative-consumptionmethod?(Provideabriefexplanationofrepaircafés)
Whataresomepotentialproblemswithorbarrierstopeoplefixingtheirownitems?
Doesrepairingorfixinginsteadofbuyinghaveanyimpact(positiveornegative)onotherpeople,animals,ortheenvironment?
AdditionalReflectionQuestions:
Whydoyouthinkpeoplepurchasenewitemswhensomethingbreaksratherthantryingtofixit?
Doyouthinkrepaircafésshouldexistinpublicspaceslikeparksandlibraries?
Toronto’sRepairCafélookstobuildabiggernetworkoffixersLukeSimcoe,TorontoMetro,January17,2016
ThefoundersofToronto’sRepairCaféhaveasimplephilosophy:ifit’sbroke,fixit.
“Rightnow,weliveinakindofdisposablesociety,butwewanttobringbacktheideathatyoucanfixstuffandyoudon’thavetothrowitout,”saysco-founderPaulMagder.
Magder,alongwithWaiChu,startedtheRepairCaféin2013.Theyholdmonthlyeventswhereanyonecanhavetheirbrokenitemsrepairedbyateamofvolunteerfixers.They’llmendjustaboutanything,fromcomputerstoclothing,appliancesandjewellery.
“Lampsarereallybig.Wegetatonoflamps,”Magdersaid.
AccordingtoChu,thegoalsofthecaféaretwofold:theywanttosaveitemsfromneedlesslylandinginthelandfill,whilealsoteachingpeoplehowtorepairtheirownthings.
“Repairissomethinganyonecanlearntodo,”Chusaid.
Ultimately,ChuhopesinitiativesliketheRepairCafécanhelpcreateamoresustainablesociety.Sheandothervolunteersarecollectingalistofhard-to-fixitemsandplantolobbythecompaniesthatmakethemtochangetheirpolicies.
“Wenoticecertainmanufacturersaremakingthingsthatarenotmeanttolast.They’renotdurable,ortheycan’tevenbeopenedtobefixed,”shesaid.
Aftertwoyearsofgrassrootssuccess–monthlyeventsinTorontoroutinelyattractuptoahundredvisitors–Chusaid2016willbetheyeartheRepairCaféreachesoutward.They’replanningeventsinunderprivilegedareasinTorontothatwillinvolvelocalyouth.
“Theplanisthathopefullytheycanstarttheirownrepaircafés,”shesaid.
WhatexactlyisaRepairCafé?Repaircafe.orgRepairCafésarefreemeetingplacesandthey’reallaboutrepairingthings(together).IntheplacewhereaRepairCaféislocated,you’llfindtoolsandmaterialstohelpyoumakeanyrepairsyouneed.Onclothes,furniture,electricalappliances,bicycles,crockery,appliances,toys,etcetera.You’llalsofindexpertvolunteers,withrepairskillsinallkindsoffields.Visitorsbringtheirbrokenitemsfromhome.TogetherwiththespecialiststheystartmakingtheirrepairsintheRepairCafé.It’sanongoinglearningprocess.Ifyouhavenothingtorepair,youcanenjoyacupofteaorcoffee.Oryoucanlendahandwithsomeoneelse’srepairjob.Youcanalsogetinspiredatthereadingtable–byleafingthroughbooksonrepairsandDIY.
IstheRepairCafétakingbusinessawayfromrepairprofessionals?Repaircafetoronto.comTheanswerisquitetheopposite.TheRepairCaféaimstobuildaculturewhererepairingratherthanthrowingoutisthenorm.Wedemonstratetopeoplethepossibilityofgettingthingsfixed.AttheRepairCafé,weadvisepeoplewhoneedfurtherhelpwiththeirbrokenitemstoaccesstheservicesoflocalprofessionalswhoarestillinthebusinessofrepair.
VisitorstotheRepairCaféarepeoplewhoarenotnormallycustomersofrepairspecialistsastheyfindtheexpenseprohibitive.
Inaddition,manyrepairprofessionalswanttoprovideaservicetotheircommunityandtheRepairCaféisanenjoyablewayforustogettoknowoneanother.