For Immediate Release
Contact: Karen Torres
Title: Owner & Founder, Tulia’s Artisan Gallery
Email: info@tulias.com
Phone: 773-600-7432
NYNOW Booth #121
Tulia’s Artisan Gallery Joins the Fair Trade Federation
Membership in the Fair Trade Federation Marks a High Bar
Chicago, IL (August 1, 2018) – Tulia’s Artisan Gallery is now part of a network of over 200 fair trade businesses after joining the Fair Trade Federation (FTF), a trade association that strengthens and promotes North American organizations that make a full commitment to fair trade.
To become a member, applicants must submit thorough documentation describing the organization’s relationships with producer partners and efforts to provide good work conditions, fair wages, safety, environmental sensitivity, financial transparency, and more. Completion of this rigorous screening process provides an important mark of distinction for members and for shoppers interested in supporting an entire business for its fair trade practices rather than simply purchasing a fair trade product.
“Tulia’s Artisan Gallery’s acceptance into the Fair Trade Federation means that they are meeting some of the highest standards in the fair trade movement,” says Chris Solt, Executive Director of the Fair Trade Federation. “We’re so happy to welcome them to the FTF community!”
Tulia’s Artisan Gallery’s mission is to empower internally displaced people (IDPs) in Colombia by showcasing their talents, and demonstrate that art is Colombia’s other export. In the UNHCR’s 2017 annual report on forced displacement, Colombia tops the list with the largest number of IDPs in the world. The displacement situation disproportionally affects indigenous and Afro-Colombians. Tulia’s Artisan Gallery’s many collections include the whimsical and very popular Flying Mobiles, and the stunning woven basketry of the Wounaan people.
In 2017, Colombia remained the country with the largest IDP population. According to the Government, 7.7 million IDPs were registered in Colombia, an increase of over a quarter-million from the beginning of the year, with no IDP returns or other decreases reported. -UNHCR Global Trends 2017
“We are overflowing with joy at our acceptance into the Fair Trade Federation,” says Karen Torres, founder of Tulia’s Artisan Gallery. “Being a part of FTF, an organization with the highest standards for fair trade, means more opportunities for our artisans to preserve their community and cultural fabric that has been disrupted by displacement.”
What is Fair Trade? The main goal is to give craftspeople and farmers who are living in areas of extreme poverty the opportunity to earn a living by selling their products in North America. These relationships are formed honoring the nine Fair Trade Federation principles which focus on fair wages, worker safety, transparency, and more. Read all nine principles at www.fairtradefederation.org/principles.
About the Fair Trade Federation:
The Fair Trade Federation is the trade association that strengthens and promotes North American organizations fully committed to fair trade. The Federation is part of the global fair trade movement, building equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and creating opportunities to alleviate poverty.
About Tulia’s Artisan Gallery:
Tulia’s Artisan Gallery is a small, woman-owned business based in Chicago, IL dedicated to Colombia’s most talented artisans and using fair trade principles to bring their creations to the North American market. Tulia’s is a proud member of Chicago Fair Trade and the Fair Trade Federation. Learn more at www.tulias.com.