*The Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation*
announces the annual fall symposium and call for abstracts: Fair Trade: Bringing Sustainability to Everyone *Saturday, November 5th, 2011* Antioch University New England Keene, New Hampshire Citizens of developed countries, such as the United States, reap a myriad of benefits from tropical, less developed countries. Coffee, fruit and many other types of produce, material goods, and the blessed chocolate all come to us from such countries. But are the methods by which these products are obtained sustainable? Do the production practices promote proper land use and biodiversity? Are the citizens of these countries treated humanely and compensated adequately? Unfortunately, in many cases, the answer to these questions is no. Fair trade, however, is an organized social movement and market approach that focuses on creating better trade conditions for producers in developing countries and promotes sustainability. The purpose of this symposium is to bring together researchers and professionals, educators and students, skeptics and advocates - *all*members of the public to learn about and become involved in the promotion of fair trade. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the ideologies behind a fair trade market and the current status of fair trade from experts with perspectives of founded in economics, business ethics, and sociology. Participants will also hear stories of business owners who sought a better way, learn about fair trade organizations, the certification of fair trade towns, and purchase fair trade goods from local merchants. *Call for Abstracts*: *The Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (CTEC) at Antioch University is currently accepting proposals for oral presentations that address the following goals: * * * ñ To give symposium attendees the opportunity to learn about what fair trade means, why fair trade can be important, and how purchasing choices in the United States effects producers in tropical countries ñ To include skeptics of fair trade systems and branding by answering their questions and incorporating their voice and perspectives ñ To understand how fair trade systems and branding can be abused, with the idea that the knowledge gained will allow symposium attendees to understand their individual roles and make informed decisions to creating a fair trade market system. ñ To hear from experts who have researched or reviewed the fair trade system on aspects which may include: business ethics, environmental, social justice, and economics *Submission Guidelines*: For each submission (multiple submissions considered) please include: 1. The symposium goal you wish to address 2. A 300 word or less abstract outlining presentation goals 3. Complete contact information: name, affiliation(s), address, phone number, and email 4. Proposed format of your presentation along with two to three potential discussion questions related to your submission *About CTEC*: The Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (CTEC)<http://www.centerfortropicalecology.org/>is a non-profit organization in the Environmental Studies Department at Antioch <http://www.antiochne.edu/>University New England<http://www.antiochne.edu/>which promotes the sustainable and just use of tropical ecosystems by training conservation leaders, conducting conservation research with partner organizations, and serving as an educational resource for the New England region. *All submissions should be sent electronically to the symposium coordinator: * *Tierney Rosenstock* *[email protected]* *Subject line: Submission 2011 Symposium* *Deadline: September 1, 2011 (or until spaces are full)* -- Beth A. Kaplin, Ph.D. Program Director, Doctoral Program in Environmental Studies Co-Director, Center for Tropical Ecology & Conservation Antioch University New England Keene, New Hampshire, USA Office phone: 603-283-2328 Mobile in USA: 802-376-3800 Skype address: bethkaplin http://www.antiochne.edu/directory/employee_detail.cfm?ID=7160065291 http://www.CenterForTropicalEcology.org/ Technical Advisor, Conservation Biology Education Project Department of Biology, Faculty of Science National University of Rwanda Mobile in Rwanda: (250) 078 8664551 Address in Rwanda: BP 512 Butare
