World Shops, Agents of Change
Dear Friends,
One day some years ago, I was visiting World Shops in Europe and I can never forget some shops that was of very low standard. The Fair Trade products were piled up in corners of the shop. They were dusty and there was no attempt to make a dignified display and help to promote the products.
I asked the shop volunteers what was their purpose in having the World Shop? And they told me it was to bring in people to have an ideological discussion about Fair Trade and the need of the poor to work in dignity.
I noted that many producers would be very hurt if they saw their precious products, made with care and dedication, but sadly left lying around like junk.
When I visited a shop of quality, I saw the splendid display, the
attractive and artistic layout of the products, the posters and an advertising
of a campaign displayed in the window, I was delighted and very happy. This, I
said, would bring happiness to the producers and it would be a sign that the
shop volunteers really care and truly respect the producers
and their efforts to be self-reliant and overcome poverty.
I also noted among the volunteers and manager of the beautiful shops the high level of dedication and commitment to help change the injustice in the world and make it a better place for the children of the producers everywhere. The volunteers were also on display to the world!
They were actively campaigning for social justice. They are the true agents of change. There were swarms of customers coming and going from the shop and they were very eager to sign a petition to support the campaign that was on going at that time.
It was that personal experience that led me to suggest to the Network of
World Shops, and the German World Shop Association, that there should be a
competition for the best
World Shops that would bring to the attention of many people the excellent
efforts of the volunteers and shop managers to be effective and influential
agents of change.
The shop is the window of Fair Trade to the world. It is there that the lives of thousands of struggling artisans and producers are on display for all to see and admire. If they see badly displayed products they will have a low opinion of the producers. And perhaps the shop itself.
If the shop display is beautiful and well designed and laid-out then the
public will be the first to see this and be impressed and influenced in their
attitudes and opinions about the developing world. Their respect and
appreciation for the producers will increase and expand. It will be a major
influence on them to show respect and appreciation for the people behind the
product. It is this respect for other peoples as seen and
encountered in their products that can win supporters and friends to Fair Trade.
This also plants the seeds of solidarity and a longing for a just world where exploitation and slavery is ended. Where racism is never allowed to raise it's ugly and distorted face. It is by sowing the seeds of respect and concern for others that good will is fostered and public opinion will change for the better.
The public will see that the "foreigner" is a human person like themselves with all the human feelings, ideas and artistic abilities like others. It will bring happiness and a clear conscience to the people who support Fair Trade and social justice.
That is why the World Shop manager and volunteers are truly "agents of Change
" on a national and also on a global scale. By changing public opinion in favour
of the exploited people and highlighting their dignity and good humanity they
will increased the respect for them. This will influence government officials
and Members of Parliament and public will change for the better. They will bring
in a policy based on tolerance,
understanding, and create a political will to do justice for the people of the
developing world.
Thanks to those who bring the human face of justice to the people through the beautiful and excellence of the World Shops.
Fr. Shay Cullen
September 2001
