What it is | Global Journey in Africa | Global Journey Message

What the Global Journey is…

The Global Journey is a unique, international celebration of Fair Trade created by the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) and its 300 member organisations in over 60 countries.

The Global Journey began in Sri Lanka in January 2004, and has since then visited countries in Asia, the Pacific Rim, South America, North America, and finally arrived in Africa in November 2005. In Africa, Global Journey activities in Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Cameroon, Mauritius and Uganda, among others have been unique, colourful and energetic, and the Global Journey marches have included camels, horses, dancers, producers and local authorities. There have been large marches, Fair Trade festivals, public roundtable discussions, Fair Trade parties and significant media attention.

The celebration itself surrounds the IFAT - FTO banner, which is a multi-coloured mark of people, symbolizing dedication to and support of Fair Trade-and joining each Fair Trade Organisation and country with the greater global Fair Trade movement. The banner has travelled around the world, as well as its accompanying Global Journey message. The message has been read in numerous languages including: English, French, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Pidgin, Japanese, and Chinese among others-each country read it in its national and/or local languages.