Fair Trade Los Angeles

Get excited — Black Gold, the film that shows the need for fair trade coffee, is most definitely coming to Los Angeles

Black Gold’s a hard hitting yet accessible film that brilliantly juxtaposes the bon vivants of the western world (us) — delicately sipping their high-priced espresso drinks — with the crushing poverty farmers producing those same espresso beans.

So — Get thee to the Arclight Hollywood, and you’ll likely get to participate in a Q & A with Marc and Nick, co-directors of the film, who’ll be in town for the screenings.

The times when Black Gold’ll be screened:

8/18 11:50 AM
8/19 1:30 PM
8/20 3:40 PM
8/21 5:50 PM
8/22 8:15 PM
8/23 10:30 PM
8/24 10:00 AM

See you there!

[crossposted on green LA girl]

The first annual Fair Trade Fair was fun and yummy!

Yum tamales from Mama’s Hot Tamales, spunky jewelry from Ten Thousand Villages, and free choco samples courtesy of Fair Trade LA

I got there around 10:30 am, and stayed around till things closed down at 2 pm. And I met a lot of really interesting people!

What really amazed me is the strength of will of the people who really want to get in on the fair trade and fair labor movements.

I met one couple who drove a long ways to get to the event — they found out about it by going to Responsible Shopper, researching sweatshop free clothes, clicking on No Sweat, which led them to a lil blurb about the Fair Trade Fair. That’s what I call serious dedication –

So I’m determined to try and make it easier for people — at least the people who make it to the Fair Trade LA events. Some ideas:

• Make a shortlist of places where peeps can find fair trade stuff locally avaliable.
• Get more “I shop fair trade” bags from Co-op America, cuz we’ve run out.
• Connect with more orgs in the LA area working on similar issues.

Thanks to everyone who came out. If you didn’t make it this time, make sure you’re on the Fair Trade LA email list so you don’t miss out on future events –

And if you’ve got suggestions, lemme know

Catholic Relief Services, Western Region, has an immediate opening for a Regional Education Organizer.

Working in partnership with the Regional Director, the Education Organizer will develop and put into action agreed upon strategies to achieve the goals and objectives of US programs such as Operation Rice Bowl, Food Fast, Fair Trade, advocacy on peace and justice issues, and global solidarity partnerships. The Education Organizer will be a resource to dioceses, parishes, other church affiliated institutions, and like minded organizations in the West, and in particular to the Hispanic young adult Catholics.

The Education Organizer should have in-depth knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching and its practical application; demonstrated ability to apply adult learning principles and practices; Bilingual: English & Spanish; understanding of issues important to contemporary Catholics, and the practice of Christian faith in America, especially among Hispanic Catholics; knowledge of the ministries of the US Catholic Church and ability to work within its culture. Parish experience highly desirable; demonstrated ability to work with lay leadership and clergy within the Church especially leadership in Hispanic Catholic institutions, organizations and agencies; broad knowledge of international issues, particularly as it relates to the developing world; advanced degree preferred in theology, religious education, or ministry and 5-10 years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

To apply:

· E-mail the employer:

jdeharpp@crs.org

· Online:

www.crs.org