April 10, 2002
We are still educating and using our website as an resource and educational tool and have added a few more informational links. These links pertain mostly to the community in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala that we are building a relationship with through our Central America delegation. Here is the link: http://www.sfjustlife.org/fair%20trade.html
September 2001
The San Francisco Archdiocese has been very active in the Fair Trade Campaign! During the year 2000, the Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns began its work on Fair Trade Coffee, researching and putting out information.
The Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns has been doing a large amount of work within the last six months around Fair Trade! Fair Trade information has been put up on their website (www.sfjustlife.org), along with links to Fair Trade resources. Letters have been sent to the Women Religious, and emails to the California Diocese Social Justice Coordinators. Statements and quotes from the Archdiocese have been used in letters and outreach to groups across the country, and are being integrated into publications and press releases. A Fair Trade campaign postcard was created, which is going to be mailed to approximately 2500 constituencies in the near future. The Arch- diocese is also searching into the possibility of visiting with a cooperative on one of their delegations to Central America, and has been working on general public education.
The Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns also issued this statement regarding fair trade:
"The Church is very familiar with the dire situation of poverty in Central America and other areas; this is a project very much in line with the Church's social teachings on promoting justice by being responsible for the moral implications of our consumer choices."
