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

Global Journey in Africa

Dancers in Nigeria, camels in Mali, horses in Cameroon. A basket-weaving competition in Swaziland, a Fair Trade tea tasting in South Africa, a trip to the national museum in Uganda, the mayor of Mombasa, Kenya. And with marches in Mauritius, Malawi and Zimbabwe, and banner displays in Ghana and Senegal, the Global Journey has reflected in its travels throughout Africa the creativity, energy and diversity of the people of this beautiful continent.

The Global Journey in Africa was more than a banner and a message and some t-shirts thrown together. It was a moving campaign for Fair Trade and African Fair Trade Organizations. Since the banner landed in Africa in November 2005 each country planned its own celebration surrounding the arrival of the Global Fair Trade Organization Mark. Fair Trade Organizations, affiliated non-governmental organizations, producers themselves and advocates for Fair Trade came together to celebrate Fair Trade within local traditions and cultural expressions. The consequent relationships and networks created strengthen Fair Trade from the inside; disseminating an even stronger message to the outside world that Fair Trade is the better alternative.

Buyers, consumers, politicians and the media have noticed the noise and through their purchases, policies, and publicity, are spreading the Fair Trade message to their own communities. All of this was done not through huge funds but through huge dedication and determination of the Fair Traders that planned and participated in the Global Journey. For all of us, the Global Journey in Africa has been life-changing.

Through thousands of kilometres, hundreds of people, organizations and days, 18 African countries, cultures and events, there was ONE message-Fair Trade makes a difference. And through our producers' efforts and hard work for the Global Journey, this message has entered the hearts and minds of many, many people both within the continent, and in other regions, far and wide.

The Global Journey in Africa achieved its goals of unifying Fair Trade Organizations across the continent, promoting the Fair Trade Organization Global Mark and educating communities about Fair Trade. Through such alternative methods of reaching out, many learned about alternative methods of trade, and this will ultimately strengthen the international Fair Trade movement. Africa embraced the Global Journey and proved to have a wealth of creativity and passion for Fair Trade. The hope Global Journey participants have in the future of Fair Trade translated clearly in their dedication to making the Global Journey not an event that ended but as a prolonged campaign that continues to enact change. - By Dana Emmanuel