Help us find the ways!

[2-8-05]

At the Ghost Ranch seminar last summer, co-sponsored by the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and the Witherspoon Society, participants talked about asking the General Assembly to adopt procurement policies that encourage fair trade. This question was actually raised in a Commissioner Resolution at the 2003 General Assembly, when it was referred to the General Assembly Council for study.

An example of what is feasible could be seen at the 2004 General Assembly in Richmond. The tote bags presented to by commissioners and guests had been woven and sewn in Bolivia by a fair trade cooperative. These were so attractive that many people asked for extras; some were found, and quickly sold.

Much of the activity promoting fair trade has been in the Los Angeles area. In fact the school district and the city council have adopted sweeping anti-sweatshop measures, to be sure that public dollars do not subsidize poverty wages. This applies to everything from athletic uniforms and school T-shirts to furniture and computers.

Our Presbyterian General Assembly agencies may be almost that sweeping in their range of purchases. Clothing and souvenirs with the PC(USA) logo come quickly to mind, but there are many other areas in which sweat-free policies could be followed.

Some of us are reflecting right now on what should be done to get ready for the 2006 General Assembly.

We are hoping that some ideas might come out of the Louisville offices themselves, because they are the ones who best know the purchasing process. Peacemaking and Worldwide Ministries might move toward sweat-free policies in the conferences they hold each year.

But there is plenty of initiative in our congregations, youth groups, and colleges (where a vigorous sweat-free movement has been gaining momentum).