The concept of fairness isn’t difficult to understand: It’s the quality of being reasonable, right and just. But when it came to farming and agriculture, fairness was in short supply for generations as farmers lived in poverty while the food they grew was delivered to more prosperous shelves and tables across the globe. With the introduction of the Fairtrade system, this disparity began to shrink — but there is still a big gap to fill.
In this edition of Chatter That Matters, host Tony Chapman is joined by Dr. Nyagoy Nyong’o, one of the leading authorities on Fairtrade. Dr. Nyong’o, who is the Global CEO of Fairtrade International, is committed to improving the living conditions of farmers around the world.
Growing up in a small village in Kenya, Dr. Nyong’o was exposed to fairness at an early age — social justice was practiced in her community and there was no discrimination between what a boy or a girl could do in her family. This environment, combined with her family’s passion for education, propelled Dr. Nyong’o to earn her Ph.D. in Forest Biology-Wood Science and pursue her calling to improve the livelihood of others.
In this episode, Dr. Nyong’o paints a picture for listeners of what a farm that doesn’t benefit from Fairtrade looks like, compared to one that does. She highlights how Fairtrade can empower the lives, families and communities of farmers. She explains how the Fairtrade system works and shares how the power of Fairtrade is only as effective as consumers’ collective desire to see a fairer world.
Most notably, Dr. Nyong’o emphasizes how both climate change and social injustice can only be conquered when people feel accountable and work together to create a better world.
Tony Chapman created the Chatter That Matters podcast to counter the storm of negativity and impossibility with true stories of ordinary people who do extraordinary things. He chats with Olympians, Advocates, Celebrities, Leaders, and people who battled what seemed like insurmountable odds.
In doing, listeners hear life lessons that inspire all of us to do more and to be more, to help us get to where we need, want and deserve to go. RBC is the presenting sponsor.
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This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.
