OUR VALUES

TRANSPARENCY  |  SUSTAINABILITY  |  FAIR TRADE

Welcome to Promote Africa
A Commitment to The Principles of Fair Trade
In addition to following IFAT's Ten Standards of Fair Trade, here's how we ensure our fair trade practices:


1) Our Relationship with Artisan, Musician and Community

Through on-the-ground working relationships, we have established meaningful connections with our partner organizations, musicians and artisans. From internship positions that our staff fills for partner development organizations, to in the field recording with our musicians, Promote Africa is connected to the individuals and communities that make our work possible.

For example, in the summer of 2008, two interns from Promote Africa conducted a personnel audit for the Namibian Community Skills Development Foundation (COSDEF), which oversees the production units for several lines of products that will be carried under the Promote Africa brand by January 2009. These interns provided us with an intimate look inside COSDEF's ethical, fair, and transparent operations.

Additionally, our CPO Donee Policy ensures legal accountability for the implementation of fair trade standards by our partners.


2) Working Together to Overcome Obstacles

At the end of the day, what fair trade is and how well it works is embodied by the communities, artisans, and musicians that we are fortunate to work with.

Matunda Paulus a good example of what we strive to accomplish through fair trade. According to him:

"For generations, my family has been able to sustain ourselves by our carving.  But more recently, rising material costs and a diminished appreciation for handmade goods have threatened our ability to generate income. Low cost producers across Asia are able to undercut our production costs because of unreasonably low wages for artisans. For my family, fair trade, as practiced by Promote Africa, gives me the necessary assistance in promoting the products we produce while paying us a fair wage. Fair trade represents hope, and a way for my family to support ourselves by continuing our carving tradition."

In short, we work to empower artisans like Paulus to provide for their families, send their children to school, and improve their overall quality of life; we empower our community partner organizations to oversee this effort and to supplement their educational outreach (such as HIV/AIDS awareness programs) and skills-training programs.


3) Our Operational Policies

At a minimum, Promote Africa abides by IFAT's Fair Trade Principles. In addition:

1. We believe in justice and hope for the hardworking poor by expanding their opportunities for employment and education.
2. We partner with artisan cooperatives that pay fair wages to their members and demonstrate concern for their members’ welfare.
3. We provide consistent income through purchases, advances of the partial purchase price of goods, and prompt payment of the remainder of the purchase price.
4. We increase market access abroad for African artwork.
5. We market quality artwork produced by disadvantaged artisans.
6. We market products that reflect authentic African culture, that are environmentally friendly and that appeal to consumers worldwide.
7. We encourage our customers to become familiar with fair trade and to gain an appreciation and respect for artisans’ heritage, financial security, and employment status.
8. We place great value on our volunteers who work across the globe.

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