My Fair Valentine Campaign

This January at the Engineers Without Borders 10th Anniversary conference an idea came up during a brain storm. The goal was to inspire Canadian consumer to take action and purchase Fair Trade products to support rural African livelihoods. The idea was to combine the power of the EWB network with TransFair to launch a campaign telling people to Love the World this Valentine's Day as well as that one special person in it.

"The goal of the campaign is to help further fuel the growing awareness of Fair Trade and its benefits both amongst key decision makers and the general public. What better way to show your broader love for the world this Valentine’s Day?" asks Mark Abbott, campaigns organizer and member of the Vancouver Professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders.

“The ‘My Fair Valentine’ campaign acknowledges the global impact of buying and giving Fair Trade products,” Mark goes on to say.

In addition to promoting Fair Trade gift giving, last Saturday hundreds of Fair Trade and Engineers Without Boarders members crafted and delivered hand made valentines to hundreds of key decision makers and opinion leaders across the country, including Members of Parliament, mayors, city councillors, university presidents, local celebrities and corporate purchasing agents.

This week another 30 Valentines will be hand delivered with Fair Trade Chocolate to key players in local media as well as a few of the Canucks! Join the campaign online at myfairvalentine.com to learn more. Also join us on our Facebook page to keep up to speed on the latest progressions!

Many traditional Valentine’s Day gifts—including chocolate, flowers and wine—have Fair Trade Certified options that can be found at most Canadian grocery stores and at Fair Trade retailers such as Ten Thousand Villages. To make locating Fair Trade products even easier, TransFair Canada, Canada’s national Fair Trade certifier, offers a handy “Fair Trade Finder” tool on their website.

TransFair Canada’s Director of Communications, Michael Zelmer says, “Fair Trade couldn’t have asked for a better gift this Valentine’s Day. EWB’s ‘My Fair Valentine’ campaign brings together Canadians who are truly excited to grow the Fair Trade movement in this country.”