Global Ethical Trading

Why is global ethical trading even more important today? Yes it is true that as Society becomes more mechanized, a Global heritage maybe becoming lost to future generations. Globally many artisans are struggling simply to survive. With increasing pressure on Western business to become better trading partners, in terms of ethical trading and fairtrade responsibilites there has never been a more important time to herald change.

Many craftspeople around the World live in very remote communities, and have often diversified from farming. They are utilizing traditional skills which have been handed down from generation to generation. These skills include hand embroidery, needlework, metalwork, woodwork, carving and weaving.

Sadly many artisans around the World have suffered severe hardships. We often hear about the strife in Africa, but did you realize for example many many artisans living in Cambodia and Vietnam died during the terrible times of the Khmer Rouge. The traditional handicrafts of these countries all but died out. Such traditional skills as hand embroidering, weaving, carving etc, were hand down from generation to generation.

Happily now, people are beginning to rebuild their lives, to return to normality and begin trading again. All of this of course takes time, and is not easy. Artisans living in often rural communities have diversified from farming as they return to ancient handicrafts to supplement incomes for families.

Worldwide there are many fabulous traditional crafts to discover, and Atelier Maison has successfully brought some of these skills to Britain, whilst trading fairly and responsibily with foreign partners. Such crafts as - handmade cashmere blankets from Nepal; hand woven bedspreads from India, with the most exotic of hand embroidery; sublime embroidery from Vietnam - a Country famous for this type of work; beautiful hand carving from Indonesia; wonderful tribal craft from Africa - well the list is practically endless!

It is so important that the West continues to support and encourage the uptake of these ancient crafts - otherwise they may be lost. But even more importantly we must begin to trade more ethically, and ensure that no artisan is exploited in any way. This means working towards exemplar business trading, not just offering a fair wage for work they produce, but making sure that working conditions are acceptable, that people are protected and respected.

Business leaders need to be committed to being more socially aware and responsible, and more environmentally aware, and to act with integrity in all business dealings with such craftspeople. It's not easy as we've found out - it takes committment, an ongoing committment to take measures that ensure partners are not exploited.

We live in an ever changing World, and we all have a duty of care to nurture those economies who need us most. With Western economies struggling recently, we need to ensure we don't divert our attention away from exemplar business practices and ethos.

It's so easy to forget 'the little man' - but we do so at our peril!