But as well as helping farmers directly
you also have influence on governments
don't you?
I mean
governments are talking more and more about fairer global trade
Yes, we're finding that
the issues we've been talking about for the past ten years
are moving up the agenda
For example
we're having more of a debate on
how we can achieve economic growth and social justice
as both are needed
As a result
leaders of larger Fairtrade organisations have been invited
to high-level international meetings and economic forums
We can use our experience to illustrate to governments
how trade can be better managed
But how do you convince people
who say economic growth is the answer to everything?
Don't these people argue that Fairtrade isn't good for free trade?
Well, I worked in business for a long time
and so I understand the need for a free market
but it seems unlikely to me that when it comes to social problems
like global poverty
the answer is just an economic one
because social choices have to be made, too