The Future of Fair Trade: A Lunch and Learn

Part of our 2024 World Fair Trade Day Week Celebrations!

WHEN: Friday, May 17, 12pm-1pm

WHERE: In-person AND virtual! Join us in-person at the Beelove Cafe, 1111 S Homan Ave, Chicago, IL 60624, or virtually on Zoom (link to be emailed on sign-up).

The world has changed significantly in the past 50 years since the fair trade movement first became popular. With the rise of climate change, global pandemics, and growing income inequality – can fair trade keep up with today’s most pressing problems?

Dr. Jocelyn Leitzinger – a Chicago Fair Trade Board Member, professor at University of Illinois Chicago, and expert on activism in markets – will lead us in a lively and interactive discussion on this question. We’ll explore the history of fair trade, examine how world dynamics have shifted, and brainstorm ways to keep fair trade relevant for the 21st century – especially here in Chicago.

What is fair trade? Fair trade is an alternative business model that puts profits towards a good purpose to benefit people and the planet. Fair trade business pay fair wages to makers, provide safe working conditions, and use environmentally-friendly production methods.

Ticket pricing: FREE!

This event is part of Chicago Fair Trade’s World Fair Trade Day Celebrations! World Fair Trade Day is an inclusive worldwide festival of events celebrating fair trade and its critical role in combating income inequality, exploitation, and climate change. Hundreds of celebrations will take place in May in over seventy countries. Chicago’s celebration is the biggest World Fair Trade Day event in the US. Check out our full calendar or events on our website.