About Fairtrade International
Fairtrade International works to share the benefits of trade more equally – through standards, certification, producer support, programmes and advocacy.
Founded in 1997, Fairtrade International is a non-profit, multi-stakeholder association of 22 member organisations – three producer networks and 19 national Fairtrade organisations.
Fairtrade International coordinates activities for its member organisations and owns the FAIRTRADE Mark, a registered trademark of Fairtrade that appears on more than 30,000 products. Fairtrade International employs about 90 staff members at its central offices in Bonn, Germany.
All system members and certified producer organisations participate in Fairtrade International’s decision-making through representatives on the Board of Directors and the Fairtrade General Assembly.
Our mission
Our mission is to connect disadvantaged producers and consumers, promote fairer trading conditions and empower producers to combat poverty, strengthen their position and take more control over their lives.
Our vision
Fairtrade’s vision is a world in which all producers can enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential and decide on their future.
We believe that trade can be a fundamental driver of poverty reduction and greater sustainable development, but only if it is managed for that purpose, with greater equity and transparency than is currently the norm.
We believe that people can overcome disadvantage and marginalisation if they are empowered to take more control over their work and their lives, if they are better organised, resourced and supported, and can secure access to mainstream markets under fair trading conditions.
We also believe that people, businesses and civil society institutions in the developed world are supportive of trading in this way. This is particularly the case when they understand the needs of producers and the opportunities that Fairtrade offers to change and improve their situation.
Our work is driven by informed consumer choices, and the desire of business to meet the expectations of their customers, both of which provide crucial support for wider campaigning to reform international trade rules and create a fairer economic system.
Leadership
Marike Runneboom de Peña, Interim CEO, Fairtrade International
Marike Runneboom de Peña is currently the interim CEO of Fairtrade International. She has more than 35 years of experience working with small producers in the Dominican Republic. She also has experience working on the Board of Directors of the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fair Trade Small Producers and Workers, building strong networks at the regional, country, and product and worker level. She has seen and suffered the devastating impact of low prices, unfair trading practices, climate change, and the lack of basic needs and rights but also witnessed the strength and capacity of farmers to address these challenges.
