Welcoming Message [English]

Today, the earth faces crises due to climate changes from global warming and poverty of the underdeveloped nations. The nature of the crisis had risen from the endless desire of human beings and the lifestyle of the majority who enjoy the abundant materials and yet, waste the limited resources.

Most of the economically developed nations have exploited the resources and labor of the weak, and have accumulated their wealth through the accelerated massive production and consumption, after the industrialization. In such process, poverty was generated and reckless development and overuse of fossil fuel have aggravated destruction of environment and global warming.

The damage of the climate change and environmental disasters hit the third world poverty-stricken nations much earlier at much more of a serious level than to those of the developed nations, which are the providers of the harm.

Moreover, globalization and free trade are in favorable form to the developed nations and capitalist, which makes the rich more rich and the poor more poor in result. Therefore, although world trade steadily increases, it does not help the producers of the poor nations to step out of their poverty.

How unfair and unequal is this relationship? Fair trade is a movement and a business to adjust this unfair and unequal factor to make it as fair as possible. There are numerous fair trade organizations in the world that helps the free market isolated producers of the third world nations to be economically independent and to live a humane life, by consuming the environment friendly produced products from them. This helps the world to be more ethical and sustainable.

Not until long ago, Korea was also an underdeveloped, poor nation. However, now we have become 11th in both trade amount and economic growth. In the last few decades, we have achieved the most astonishing economic development in the world. We have only pursed forward to the value of materials and money in such process. However, now is the time to spare and look around. We must take responsibility as a member of the international community. We must contribute to reducing poverty and environment problems by engaging in fair trade.

Koreans were known to be warmhearted.

We never had plenty, and yet our hearts were rich. However, we now have a lot, but our hearts are empty. We must bring back the community life of sharing with our neighbors like family and harmonize with the environment. Being involved in fair trade is a good way to do such.

The Korea Fair Trade Association tries to draw together human and nature, humans and humans and to share and cooperate with others in taking steps to a happiness fulfilled world. We work in hopes to plant the seed of fair trade in the land of Korea, and share the fruit with others. Let’s work together for the cheerful and joyful future of all of us.

September 9, 2008

In the opening of The Korea Fair Trade Association website,

President Chang Soon Park